How Long Can Breast Milk Sit Out?

Parents are busy, and no matter how organised you are, it's totally normal to forget things from time to time. And there's no such thing as a stupid question, like "is my breast milk still fresh?" for example.

We've written this guide for new parents to help you work out if your expressed breast milk is still safe to give to your baby. So, whether it's been hand expressed or expressed using a pump, let's run through how long breast milk can stay out of the fridge at room temperature.

How long can breast milk stay out of the fridge?

Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored for up to six hours at room temperature (25°C or below). It should ideally be stored in a sterile, covered container.

If the room is very warm, with a temperature of 29°C or higher, breast milk should only be left out for two hours.

It's important to note that the longer breast milk is left out, the higher the risk of bacteria growth and contamination that can cause sickness and diarrhoea. So, it's best to store your breast milk in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible if you're not going to feed it to your baby right away.

If you're unsure whether breast milk is still good, give it a sniff test. If it smells sour or rancid, it's best to discard it.