Expressed breast milk can be kept in the fridge or freezer. Find out how long you can keep expressed breast milk and how to safely defrost and heat.

How long can breast milk be kept and where?

In the fridge for no more than 3 days, up to 2 weeks in the freezer section of a fridge, in a freezer with a separate door for up to 3 months or in a deep freeze for up to 12 months.

How do I store breast milk?

Breast milk can be stored in sterilised glass or plastic containers, including sealable plastic bags.

Storing tips

• Breast milk kept in the fridge can be frozen after 2 days
• Write the date and time the milk was expressed
• Always use a sterlised container

Reheating tips

• Defrost in the fridge, then use straight away
• Don’t refreeze once thawed
• Warm the bottle of milk in warm water, not in the microwave