Storing breast milk

What temperature should it be kept at?
DH and I want to keep a mini fridge/cooler in the nursery so that we don't have to stumble downstairs in the middle of the night to fix bottles...
I figured I'd keep 2-3 bottles in the nursery and the rest in the fridge but the fridge temp is 34 degrees and the lowest temp of most mini fridges is 42 degrees.
Would it be okay to keep them in there for only a few hours each night?
(naturally the cooler would be restocked each evening)

so you're going to splurge for that cooler/armoire?! Not bad

Question: What's the best way to store breast milk? How long will it stay fresh?

Answer: To store breast milk safely, choose containers that are clean and airtight. Thin plastic bags are fine for storing milk for a few days, but because they are prone to leaks, tears, and punctures and may not be airtight, it's not a good idea to use them for long-term storage. Glass or hard plastic is preferable for storing milk for long periods of time.

Keeping breast milk fresh depends on where and how long you store it:
• You can keep milk at room temperature — not warmer than 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) — for up to four hours
• You can store milk in a cooler with refreezable ice packs for up to 24 hours
• You can store milk in a refrigerator with a temperature of 39 degrees F (4 degrees C) or colder for 72 hours (three days)
• Milk that has been moved into the refrigerator from the freezer can be stored there for up to 24 hours

You can store milk in a freezer for various lengths of time depending on the kind of freezer you have. Always keep the milk in the back of the freezer away from the door, because items stored in the door or up front are more exposed to changing temperatures every time you open the freezer.
• You can store milk in an older model single-door refrigerator with freezer inside for two weeks
• You can store milk in a double-door refrigerator with freezer on top or bottom for three months
• You can store milk in a freezer that holds a temperature of -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) that is rarely opened and does not have a defrost cycle for up to six months
• You can store milk in a stand-alone chest or upright freezer that holds a temperature of -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) that is rarely opened and does not have an automatic defrost cycle for six to 12 months

You may combine milk you collected that day with frozen milk as long as it's chilled for at least an hour. Fresh milk retains more of its protective properties than frozen milk, so whenever possible use refrigerated rather than frozen milk for feeding your baby. But note that frozen breast milk still has more health benefits than formula.

Thanks Jenn!!

Teri
The problem I'm running into is that I want just your standard armoire, the kind you keep clothes in, but they're not deep enough to hold an actual mini-fridge, the smallest fridge I found was 19 3/4 deep...which is why I was considering an an entertainment armoire that runs 22 inches deep.

I came across this armoire today, at Lowes, which we can stain to match the crib AND which is about $500 cheaper than the entertainment unit

I like that this one (besides being much more cost friendy) has drawers and storage space than the one that's meant to house a TV.
But the only fridges I can find that are compact enough only cool to 42 degrees. But I guess that's fine.

This is the mini cooler/fridge

That was my other concern about getting an actual fridge, that even housed in a cabinet, the motor would be too loud.
The cooler models are much quieter.

freshly pumped breasst milk can be kept at room temp for up to 8 hours- not in the summer though. I have read a number of different pieces of literature and some say 4 hours but most say 6-8. I have left out the bm for 6 hours with no problems. Of course, I wouldn't do that in the summer with the heat.

I think the cooler is a fine idea for upstairs Susan.

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Posted by susans

This is the mini cooler/fridge

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Susans my DH has that in his office & its great! and quiet!!