Between fridge timeframes, freezer timeframes, and “wait, can I refreeze this?” questions, breast milk storage can feel like its own subject at university. Here's a simple rundown of where your milk can live, and for how long.

Fridge Storage

Freshly expressed milk can generally be stored in the fridge for a few days, towards the back where the temperature is most stable — not in the door, where temperatures fluctuate every time it's opened. This is great for milk you'll use within the week.

Freezer Storage

For longer storage, milk goes into the freezer, ideally laid flat in dated, labelled bags so you can rotate stock on a first-in, first-out basis. Most guidelines suggest using frozen milk within the timeframe set by your freezer type — generally several months in a standard freezer (around -18c), longer in a deep freezer (under -18c)

The Pantry Option: Freeze-Dried Powder

Once milk is freeze-dried, it moves out of the cold chain altogether. Sealed pouches can be stored at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight, for up to three years — giving you a fourth storage option that doesn't rely on fridge or freezer space at all.

If your freezer storage is feeling the squeeze, our Freeze-Drying Service page is a great place to start, and our Safety Standards page covers how we keep everything safe along the way.