I took out a bottle of refridgerated breast milk which we feed my 5 week old during the day so he doesn't sleep so long. However, as it is now almost 7 p.m. I want to switch to formula which we feed him at night so it sustains him longer, can I re refridgerate breast milk? Also, on my chart it says freshly expressed breast milk is good at room temperature for 10 hours, does that go the same for breast milk taken out of the refridgerator and put at room temperature? Thanks in advance!
Yep, I would definetly re-refrigerate it. No sense in throwing away good breastmilk!
If it was previously FROZEN breastmilk, then it was thawed, then used---THEN i would thow it away.
But if it was only freshly expressed breastmilk sitting in the fridge, then definetly re-refrigerate it, with no worries!
If it's the same bottle that you used before, your baby has introduced bacteria into the milk and you should use it ASAP - within the 10 hour period. If you have "clean" milk that was cold and then taken out but not used, you can re-refrigerate THAT again.
I will admit that what I used to do was stick it in the fridge anyway (even if it was "used") and just give it a sniff the next time I wanted to use it. As long as it seems ok it probably is. My son never got sick, so I guess it was usually fine. Just depends on how conservative you are.
we would always use it again, but switch nipples/tops.
You should't, there is no reason to risk it. You are always making more. Even though your chart says 10 hours, mine says 6-10. I am sure you know not to refreeze, but re-refridgerating is the same concept-it extends the time it has to break down. I am curious that you are only giving breast milk during the day. I have an almost 12 week old and I have learned that the formula does not necessarily make a baby sleep more, or longer. It really has to do with your baby's temperment. At night your body will make a fattier heavier milk for your baby. It may take a few more weeks for your milk to stabilize, but if you are skipping feedings you are going to produce less, and after you go back to work, really produce less. Night time feedings from the breast are sooooooo much easier, and as your baby gets bigger, you can feed while lying down in bed without having to go make bottles etc. This is how a mother naturally gets more rest at night. I went back to work at 6 weeks and my husband was convinced that in order for my son to sleep better, we should give him formula. I was pumping and feeding him formula, not getting any sleep, and he did not sleep one iota better. As soon as I began taking him into bed with me, and feeding him while laying down, I got so much more sleep it was amazing. this is a very natural process that has been going on with all animals since the beginning of time. Mom rests while baby eats. Your baby will wake during the day and sleep at night on his own time table. You cannot force them to change. If you keep going like you are, and go back to work, you will probably end up not breastfeeding because you will not produce enough milk. How can you when you are not feeding him during the day or night? Pumping does not stimulate milk production like the baby does. The health benefits are too good for your baby to give formula. It is very hard at first, very hard, but then it is so much easier, it almost makes the formula and bottles a joke. Make a commitment to yourself if you want to breastfeed and stick to it. I did, and although my baby just started sleeping well, not through the night but from 8 or 9 till 2 or 3 and then again until 6 or 7, I am glad I stuck to my guns. Also, what I used to help my son sleep at night was a swaddling blanket. Boppy brand, (online only item I think) or the miracle blanket now that he is bigger. I wrap him up, stick a nuk in his mouth, rock him a little, and he is out. Good luck, hope the advise helps!
Sure can. You can refridgerate it, freeze it and leave it sitting out much longer than prepared formula because it's free of bacteria.
If it was previously refrigerated, you can put it back in the fridge if baby hasn't touched it, but if it was previously frozen and has been out that long, it is toast. However, I would test it before feeding it if you do put it back in the fridge cause that is a long time to have milk out. Smell/taste a little bit of it, you will be able to tell if it is still good or not. It is best to just leave it in the fridge, then put it in the bottle when you are ready and warm it up by putting the bottle in warm/hot running water.
Also, just FYI giving a bottle isn't going to cause him to sleep less during the day. And giving formula at night will not cause him to sleep longer at night. Sleeping at night is a neurological development and no matter what you put in their tummies, little babies don't sleep like adults. Giving formula will only sabotage your supply and negatively effect the flora in her gut.
L.:
YES you can refrigerate and reuse it.... Unlike formula breastmilk is live.. there are antibodies and immunological properties that destroy bacteria and germs that might enter from your child. there has been research done that shows that there is no increase in bacteria or germs at least as far out at 48 hours.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
If the breastmilk is in a bottle and your son's mouth has come into contact with it, then germs, bacteria, etc. have mixed with the milk. That being said, many moms have done just what you're describing and have had no problem whatsoever. Personally, I threw out any unfinished bottle after my baby drank from it whether it was breastmilk or formula.
