How long can breast milk be at room temp?

[Bernadine]

Dh had dd tonight, and thinks she needs to be fed every time she makes a noise, so I have 2 oz of milk sitting out. Please tell me I don't have to dump it.

ETA- it was previously refrigerated, if that makes a difference.

[ellipsis]

Something like 6 hours, assuming it's roughly 72-74 degrees in your house.

[jewel]

6 hours should be ok. Smell test.

[kate1482]

Previously refrigerated 1 hour. Freshly pumped we let it sit out 4-6 hours.

[pooh8402]

6 hours was my limit, although it never reached that. Some say 8.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2016 21:07:24 GMT -5 kate1482 said:

Previously refrigerated 1 hour. Freshly pumped we let it sit out 4-6 hours.

I've always heard 6 hours for both. And to smell your milk if you're in doubt.

If previously refrigerated milk is only an hour, I violate it every damn day because I tend to pump around 4 (removing the previously pumped milk from the work fridge), finish up work in my office, and then get home around 5:15 after picking up from daycare. Kid seems to be fine, but I'm admittedly lax about these things.

[kate1482]

Jul 23, 2016 10:08:33 GMT -5 @spacemanspiff said:

Jul 22, 2016 21:07:24 GMT -5 kate1482 said:

Previously refrigerated 1 hour. Freshly pumped we let it sit out 4-6 hours.

I've always hear 6 hours for both. And to smell your milk if you're in doubt.

If previously refrigerated milk is only an hour, I violate it every damn day because I tend to pump around 4 (removing the previously pumped milk from the work fridge), finish up work in my office, and then get home around 5:15 after picking up from daycare. Kid seems to be fine, but I'm admittedly lax about these things.

Oh sorry. My 1 hour answer was for previously refrigerated milk in a bottle that the baby didn't finish at room temperature. Who knows where I got that from.

Op if it smells ok I'm sure it is fine

[Deleted]

kate1482, Ah, I think you're right about that. Something having to do with the baby's mouth introducing bacteria? TOO MANY RULES.

[Susie]

I thought the 1 hour rule was just for formula after baby's mouth touched. Our daycare uses 1 hour universally, but I think BM is good for longer.

I would say 6 hr., OP.  Subject to smell test of course.

[patbutcher]

In future why not put it in a little cooler next to him so it lasts longer. Medela's website says milk lasts up to 9 hours in their cooler so I pump at 10pm and keep it next to my bed for the first morning feed. It's been fine so far.


The 1 hour rule for is for formula. My LC said you can keep feeding breast milk that's been touched already.