Hello, 
My name is Lisa Erickstad and I am a junior nursing student at the University 
of North Dakota. I have done some research on the storage of breast milk 
once it is out of the breast. I decided to research this area due to the fact 
that many resources give varying information. In one study by Hanna (2004), 
found that freezing of human milk resulted in a greater decrease in antioxidant 
activity than refrigeration. Storage of the milk for seven days resulted in lower 
antioxidant activity than storing the milk for 48 hours. The study states in it’s 
discussion that milk should only be stored for a short time at refrigerator 
temperature and not frozen.
Another article from Lawrence (1999), states that milk can be refrigerated for 
up to 72 hours with little change. It states that freezing the milk destroys the 
cellular activity and reduces vitamin B6 and C in the milk. Bacterial growth was 
said to decrease over 24 hours when the milk had been refrigerated, but this 
doesn’t happen when the milk is frozen. The storage of milk at room 
temperature for eight hours appears to be safe with little loss of nutrient or 
protective value.
An article by Tully (2000), states that there has been recent research to 
confirm that storing milk at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit) for 4 
hours does not increase bacterial growth. At warmer temperatures (100 
degrees Fahrenheit) microbial proliferation began quicker. Mothers should chill 
the milk as soon as possible after pumping and this helps to reduce the loss of 
some vitamins, cellular components, and other properties of the milk that is 
valuable to the infant. If the milk needs to be stored beyond 24 hours, it is 
recommended that the milk be frozen. It is also suggested that refrigeration 
(at 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 8 days has greater inhibitory effect 
on bacterial growth in the milk than if you were to freeze it. Obviously the 
fresher the milk is when it is fed to the infant the better it is for the infant.
My question is that there are various researches on how to store milk, and 
most of it is conflicting. I would like to see what you think about this and 
what your hospital or clinic protocols are for storing breast milk.

References
Hanna, N., Ahmed, K., Anwar, M, Petrova, A., Hiatt, M. & Hegyi. (2004). 
Effect of storage on breast milk antioxidant activity. Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal 
Neonatal Ed. 89;518-520. 
Lawrence, R.A. (1999). Storage of human milk and the influence of procedures 
on immunological components of human milk. Acta Paediatr Suppl., 88 (430), 
14-18. 
Tully, M. R. (2000). Recommendations for handling of mother’s own milk. 
Journal of Human Lactation, 16, 149. 

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