breastfeeding, faqs

How long can thawed breast milk stay at room temperature?

By Yogyata Wadhwa, IBCLC · 2026-09-21

Previously frozen breast milk that has been thawed can stay at room temperature for 1-2 hours. If thawed in the refrigerator, it can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours but should not be refrozen. Once a baby has started feeding from a bottle of thawed milk, any leftover milk should be used within 1-2 hours or discarded.

Freshly expressed milk can stay at room temperature for up to 4 hours and in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Frozen milk keeps for up to 6 months in a freezer compartment and up to 12 months in a deep freezer. Thawed breast milk should never be refrozen once it has fully liquefied.