CDC vs. ABM: Which Breastmilk Storage Guidelines Should Moms Follow?
If you’ve ever Googled “how long is breastmilk REALLY good for?” and walked away more confused than before.. you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM, Protocol #8) give different answers about safe storage timelines. 🤯
So which one should you follow? Let’s break it down.
Here’s a side-by-side look at the CDC vs. ABM recommendations:
Why They Differ
CDC gives the most conservative timelines to cover all situations, even when milk may not be stored under ideal conditions.
ABM offers extended timelines if you’re pumping and storing milk with very clean hands, sanitized pump parts, and quick refrigeration.
That’s why moms often hear two different answers depending on the source! There are even more recommendations with the USA like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other organizations all over the world.
How to Decide What Works for You
If your baby is preemie, immunocompromised, or high-risk, stick with CDC’s stricter guidelines.
If you have a healthy, full-term baby and practice excellent pump and storage hygiene, you may feel comfortable with ABM’s extended timelines.
Always trust your instincts, if milk smells sour or off, toss it.
If you’re using the fridge hack or adding freshly pumped milk to milk that’s already been chilled, you may want to stick to the stricter CDC guidelines.
Free Printable Storage Guide
Want a fridge-ready cheat sheet? I’ve made a one-page printable of the CDC guidelines so anyone helping you with bottle feeding knows exactly how long milk can be safely stored.
Grab below and share for more!
