Once frozen breast milk is thawed, how soon should it be used?

Once frozen breast milk is thawed, how soon should it be used?

• A. Within 24 hours
• B. Within 48 hours
• C. Within 3 days
• D. Immediately after thawing

Answer: (A)

Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours when kept in the refrigerator because once milk is frozen and then thawed, it becomes more susceptible to bacterial growth and quality can decline over time. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, but the safer window after thawing is about a day. Refreezing thawed milk isn’t recommended due to changes in quality and safety. If thawed milk has been left at room temperature, the safe usage window is much shorter (around 2 hours), so the 24-hour timeframe applies specifically to milk that has been properly refrigerated after thawing.

Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours when kept in the refrigerator because once milk is frozen and then thawed, it becomes more susceptible to bacterial growth and quality can decline over time. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, but the safer window after thawing is about a day. Refreezing thawed milk isn’t recommended due to changes in quality and safety. If thawed milk has been left at room temperature, the safe usage window is much shorter (around 2 hours), so the 24-hour timeframe applies specifically to milk that has been properly refrigerated after thawing.