This is one of my favorite handy references to pull out during winter storms, hurricanes, heat wave power outages. Provides reassurance that human milk is robust. My Golden Rule of Breastmilk is that "Spoiled milk is not shy. If it looks okay, smells okay and the baby is happy to take it, it's FINE."

Effect of Environmental Conditions on Unpasteurized Donor Human Milk
David J. Rechtman, Martin L. Lee, and H. Berg. Breastfeeding Medicine. Spring 2006, 1(1): 24-26. doi:10.1089/bfm.2006.1.24.
ABSTRACT
As a result of concerns over the transmission of infectious diseases by donor milk, as well as the possible loss of nutritional value of donor milk through exposure to a variety of environmental conditions, the practice in the United States has been to discard unpasteurized donor milk that has thawed or sat for several hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator rather than (re)freezing it. We undertook an experiment to measure the effects of ambient temperature conditions and refreezing on the bioburden and nutritional content of human milk. We conclude that unpasteurized human milk is robust and can be used after storage under certain conditions.
http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/bfm.2006.1.24?journalCode=bfm
I encourage moms to give milk the benefit of the doubt and assume it will be fine unless or until proven otherwise. Other power failure tips: Keep freezer and fridge full. Don't open the freezer during power outage, not even to peek or "check"- put several strips of duct tape over the freezer door as a reminder, and allow contents to refreeze for 12 hours after power returns before opening door.
Hope that is helpful.
Nancy

Nancy Holtzman, RN IBCLC CPN
VP Clinical Content & Education

Isis. Parenting Starts Here.
781.429.1419
@nancyholtzman
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.isisparenting.com


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