LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Kershaw Jane <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:15:24 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (37 lines)
I've seen this data.  In this study, they added e coli to the breast milk (and formula) to check the milk's ability to prevent growth.  All breast milk was helpful, live was best. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Myr
Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2009 1:04 PM
Subject: Refreezing breastmilk

The informal experiment done by someone here in Norway some years back (not published except in an anecdotal report in the BF mothers' org newsletter) on a very few samples of breastmilk frozen directly after expressing, to see whether there was a difference in bacteria counts in milk dependent on method of thawing (standing on counter at room temp, thawing in a warm water bath, or microwaving) included tests of milk that was thawed by all those methods, re-frozen, and thawed again.  The only parameter they examined was bacteria counts.

They found that even after thawing and re-freezing and re-thawing, the milk was not appreciably affected with regard to inhibition of bacteria growth as long as it had not been microwaved.  Microwaving frozen milk to serving temperature rendered it incapable of preventing bacterial growth; the sample that was exposed to heating by microwave had bacterial growth similar to breastmilk substitutes.  Please note that breastmilk substitutes must be used fresh, always, and can not be re-warmed and certainly not frozen and thawed, ever.

If milk has even been scalded before freezing, the anti-immune properties that prevent growth of bacteria will have been weakened or destroyed. I would not advise even re-using, not to mention re-freezing breastmilk that had been pasteurized or even just scalded.  Such milk is as perishable as breastmilk substitutes are.  The less processed it is before being frozen, the more anti-infective qualities have been preserved.  Freshly expressed milk that has been refrigerated and then re-warmed to serving temperature can, it seems, be safely stored in the fridge and re-warmed later if the child leaves some after a feed.

This means that mothers whose milk goes rancid if they don't scald it before freezing should probably discard whatever is unused after thawing. One way to minimize waste is to freeze in small portions so that there is less risk of thawing out more than the baby will take at a feed.  Small portions are also quick to thaw if more is needed. 

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome

ATOM RSS1 RSS2