What to Do With Your Milk
Once you know how long the power has been out, here’s what to do:
🧊 Still frozen solid — Keep the door shut. You’re milk is fine.
🌡️ Slushy with ice crystals — Milk is still considered frozen as long as ice crystals are present. Freeze it back to solid. You’re milk is still good!
⚠️ Fully thawed — Use within 24 hours if refrigerated, or within 1–2 hours at room temperature. Do not refreeze. Refreezing breaks down nutrients and increases the risk of bacterial growth.
How to Buy More Time
If the outage is going to be long, insulate your milk fast:
- Put milk bags inside Ziploc bags and move them to the center of the freezer
- Surround them with everything frozen you have — ice packs, frozen vegetables, bags of ice
- Dry ice works too. Use gloves, and make sure there’s ventilation
This is the same advice I give moms who are shipping breastmilk. A snug, insulated space keeps milk frozen far longer than empty space around it.
If you’re thinking ahead, I highly recommend getting yourself a freezer alarm. It’s a real lifesaver, or should I say, a breastmilk saver!
What About Freshly Pumped Milk?
If the power went out right after you pumped, you’re fine for a few hours. Freshly expressed breast milk is safe at room temperature for up to 8 hours. Just keep it covered and refrigerate or freeze once power returns.
What if I have to throw my milk out?
I’m so sorry — it’s truly devastating. If you need donor milk in the meantime, connect with a Facebook group. You can then use our shipping kits and discount shipping labels.
Power outages happen everywhere and at the worst possible times. But with the right information, you don’t have to lose a single ounce.
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