Type of breastmilk

Storage location and temperatures 

Countertop 

77 degree Fahrenheit  

Or 

25 degree Celsius 

Or colder 

(room temperature) 

Refrigerator 

40 degree Fahrenheit  

Or

4 degree Celsius

freezer

0 degree Fahrenheit 

Or 

-18 degree Celsius 

Or colder 

Freshly expressed or pumped

Upto 4 hours 

Upto 4 days

Within 6 months is best 

Upto 12 months is acceptable 

Thawed, Previously Frozen 

1-2 hours 

Upto 1 day 

(24 hours) 

NEVER refreeze human milk after it has been thawed 

Leftover from a feeding (baby did not finish the bottle)

Use within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding