Breast milk storage time
Find the CDC time window for your milk’s storage conditions. A time estimate cannot tell you whether milk is safe.
For one batch of unfortified human milk at home for a healthy, full-term baby. For premature or unwell babies, follow your care team’s instructions.
Guideline window ends
This time window has been reached. Do not use this calculation to extend storage; follow the CDC guidance below.
This is a time limit under the conditions you confirmed, not a safety guarantee. Warming, feeding or a temperature change can shorten it. Do not restart an older milk’s clock.
The times you enter stay on this page. They are not saved or sent to Nuzzle.
CDC storage guidance and questions
- Up to 4 hours from expression, continuously at 25°C / 77°F or colder. This is not for previously chilled or frozen milk.
- Up to 4 days (96 hours) from expression, promptly refrigerated and kept at 4°C / 40°F or colder throughout.
- Up to 24 hours from completely thawed, not from removal from the freezer. Previously stored within guidance, thawed in the refrigerator and kept at 4°C / 40°F or colder. Do not refreeze fully thawed milk.
Other situations
- Previously chilled milk: use within 2 hours of bringing it to room temperature or warming it. This does not extend an earlier storage limit.
- Milk left after a feed: use within 2 hours after the baby finishes feeding. Discard any remaining milk after that. Earlier limits still apply.
- Continuously frozen at −18°C / 0°F or colder: about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable. Count from the first freezing date. These are storage-quality guidelines, not an expiry prediction.
No reliable deadline can be calculated from this choice. Earlier storage limits still apply. For unknown times, temperatures, mixed batches or a power outage, check the CDC guidance or ask your care team.