Milk & formula storage · In the fridge
How long is breast milk good in the fridge?
Last reviewed November 2026 against AAP, CDC, NHS and WHO guidance · Sources
Quick answer
Freshly expressed breast milk keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C), according to the CDC. Store it at the back of a shelf, not in the door. If you won't use it within 4 days, freeze it right away. Milk thawed in the fridge lasts 24 hours.
- Fresh milk
- Up to 4 days
- Thawed milk
- 24 hours
- Fridge temp
- 40°F (4°C)
On this page
How many days is breast milk good in the fridge?
Up to 4 days for freshly expressed milk. Count from the day you pumped, which is why the CDC recommends labeling each container with the date it was expressed.
Keep it at the back of a shelf, where the temperature is steadiest. The CDC says not to store breast milk in the fridge door.
When should I freeze it instead?
If you don't expect to use the milk within 4 days, freeze it as soon as possible rather than waiting until day 3 or 4. Freezing in 2 to 4 oz (60 to 120 ml) portions avoids waste. See freezing breast milk.
How long does thawed milk last in the fridge?
Milk thawed in the fridge should be used within 24 hours, counted from when it's completely thawed, not from when you took it out of the freezer. Never refreeze it. More in thawed breast milk.
All breast milk storage times
| Where | Freshly expressed | Thawed from frozen |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature, 77°F (25°C) or cooler | Up to 4 hours | Use within 2 hours once at room temperature or warmed |
| Fridge, 40°F (4°C) | Up to 4 days | Use within 24 hours of fully thawing |
| Freezer, 0°F (-18°C) | About 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable | Never refreeze |
| Insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs | Up to 24 hours while traveling | Not covered by CDC; use it, chill it or freeze it on arrival |
| Leftover after a feed | Use within 2 hours after your baby finishes | Use within 2 hours after your baby finishes |
How do I keep track of the clock at 3am?
Storage rules all start from a time: when you pumped, when it thawed, when you mixed it, when the feed began. Those are exactly the times tired parents forget, especially when someone else made the bottle.
- Label every container of expressed milk with the date (and time, if you'll use it within days).
- Write the mixing time on a formula bottle you've put in the fridge, or tape a note to the fridge.
- Note when each feed starts. That's the clock for the 1-hour formula rule and the 2-hour leftover milk rule.
Feedoo Baby logs the time of every feed and who gave it, so whoever takes the next shift can see when the last bottle started. See how to track baby feeding for a simple routine.
When to call your pediatrician
- A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby 3 months or younger. The AAP says to call right away, even if your baby seems otherwise well.
- Fewer wet diapers than expected for their age (fewer than 6 a day from about day 5), or dark yellow urine.
- Very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds, floppy, or unusually quiet.
- Refusing feeds, or feeding poorly several times in a row.
- Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, no tears, or a sunken soft spot on the head.
- Forceful or green vomiting, or vomiting after most feeds.
- Red, black (after the first meconium poops) or white/pale gray poop.
- Yellow skin or eyes that spread or deepen, or any yellow color in the first 24 hours.
- Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or your baby is limp or very hard to wake: call 911 (or your local emergency number) now.
If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call. You never need a reason beyond worry.
Questions parents ask
Is breast milk good after 5 days in the fridge?
The CDC's limit for freshly expressed milk in the fridge is up to 4 days. Past that, it's outside the guidance. Freeze milk early if you won't use it in time.
Can I store breast milk in the fridge door?
No. The CDC says not to store breast milk in the door of the fridge or freezer. Put it at the back of a shelf instead.
Can I use chilled breast milk cold?
Yes. The CDC says breast milk doesn't need to be warmed and can be served cold or at room temperature.
Related guides
- Breast milk storage guidelines: room temperature, fridge and freezerHow long breast milk lasts: 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the fridge, 6 to 12 months in the freezer, plus thawed milk and leftover rules from the CDC.
- How long can breast milk sit out at room temperature?Freshly pumped breast milk can sit out up to 4 hours at 77°F or cooler. Thawed or warmed milk gets 2 hours. What changes in a hot room, plus CDC sources.
- How long can you freeze breast milk?Frozen breast milk is best used within about 6 months and is acceptable up to 12 months, per the CDC. Portion sizes, containers and safe thawing.
- How long is formula good for?Mixed formula: use within 2 hours, 1 hour once feeding starts, 24 hours in the fridge. Opened powder: most within 1 month. Every CDC formula rule in one place.
- How to track baby feeding and diapersWhy pediatricians ask about feeds and diapers, exactly what to log for breast, bottle and combo feeding, and paper vs notes app vs tracking app compared.
Free tools
Sources
Last reviewed November 2026. Numbers are ranges from these public health sources; 1 oz ≈ 30 ml.
Feedoo Baby shares general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. If you're worried about feeding, weight gain, diapers or your baby's health, call your pediatrician, midwife or health visitor.