I've had this discussion with my nurse colleagues at our local hospital,
the ones who have worked full or part-time and breastfed.  They've all
"re-used" half drunk EBM with no known ill effects on their babies (my 2
babies included).  We all have refrigerated the unused portions right away.
 For the next feeding, we mixed it with fresh, thawed or refrigerated EBM.
We also followed the "if it smells bad or tastes bad, it's probably
spoiled" rule.  I recall reading that other people on the list describe
similar situations.  Considering how difficult it was for all of us to
maintain a good milk supply while working twelve hour shifts, we all
treated our milk like it was gold and couldn't bear to throw it away!

I often wondered if the lack of ill effects in the baby was due to the
leukocytes in breastmilk.  Granted, I know some leukocytes are killed when
refrigerated or frozen.  Leukocytes aren't present in formula and I often
wonder if we are just giving the same guidelines that we would to a mom who
was formula feeding.  We are talking about two completely different
substances here- a living, dynamic, species specific  fluid vs. a chemical
formula manufactured from a bovine or vegetable source.

Again, another interesting research topic.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources  http://www.childbirth.org/bbfr
Manhattan, KS  USA
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