How long can refrigerated breast milk be stored?

How long can refrigerated breast milk be stored?

• A. Up to 3 days
• B. Up to 8 days
• C. Up to 14 days
• D. Up to 21 days

Answer: (B)

Storing expressed breast milk safely hinges on keeping it consistently cold and handling it with clean methods. When milk is cooled promptly to about 4°C and kept in the back of a clean refrigerator container, it stays usable longer than milk kept at room temperature. In this context, the upper limit you’ll often see cited is about eight days. After that, even in the fridge, the risk of spoilage rises, so it’s best to discard milk that hasn’t been used by then. A few practical notes: date each container when you pump, use the oldest milk first, and check for off smells or unusual texture before feeding. If you need to store milk longer, freezing is the option, and once thawed, use it within 24 hours.

Storing expressed breast milk safely hinges on keeping it consistently cold and handling it with clean methods. When milk is cooled promptly to about 4°C and kept in the back of a clean refrigerator container, it stays usable longer than milk kept at room temperature. In this context, the upper limit you’ll often see cited is about eight days. After that, even in the fridge, the risk of spoilage rises, so it’s best to discard milk that hasn’t been used by then. A few practical notes: date each container when you pump, use the oldest milk first, and check for off smells or unusual texture before feeding. If you need to store milk longer, freezing is the option, and once thawed, use it within 24 hours.