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:
Storage Method, CDC Guidelines, and ABM (Protocol #8) Guidelines. It outlines safe breast milk storage times across different conditions. Fresh breast milk at room temperature (77°F/25°C or cooler) is safe for up to 4 hours per CDC, while ABM allows up to 6–8 hours in very clean conditions. In a cooler with ice packs (59°F/15°C or colder), both recommend up to 24 hours. Refrigerated breast milk (39°F/4°C or colder) is safe up to 4 days per CDC, with ABM noting up to 5–8 days if collected under very clean conditions. Frozen breast milk (0°F/-18°C or colder) is best used within 6 months but acceptable up to 12 months according to both sources. Thawed breast milk kept in the fridge is safe for up to 24 hours. Breast milk left in a bottle after baby drinks should be used within 2 hours per CDC or 1–2 hours per ABM.
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!
