Shawn
No, it is not safe to put thawed breast milk back in the fridge. Once breast milk has been thawed, it should be used within 24 hours and not refrozen.
Milk will go back into your breasts. For example keep adding milk to the bowl and the breast pump will pump so much milk into your breast that it will explode!
Breast Milk
Breast milk comes from the milk ducts in a female's breast.
To safely handle and store defrosted breast milk for your baby, follow these steps: Thaw the breast milk in the refrigerator or under cool running water. Use the defrosted breast milk within 24 hours. Do not refreeze thawed breast milk. Store the breast milk in clean, BPA-free containers. Label the containers with the date and time of expression. Keep the breast milk in the back of the refrigerator, away from the door. Do not microwave breast milk as it can destroy its nutrients. Gently swirl the breast milk to mix the fat before feeding it to your baby.
To safely handle and store thawed frozen breast milk for your baby, follow these steps: Thaw the breast milk in the refrigerator or under cool running water. Use thawed breast milk within 24 hours. Do not refreeze thawed breast milk. Store thawed breast milk in clean, sterilized containers. Label containers with the date and time of thawing. Keep thawed breast milk in the back of the refrigerator, away from the door. Do not microwave breast milk as it can destroy nutrients. Gently swirl the breast milk to mix the fat before feeding it to your baby.
To restore breast milk after heating it, gently swirl or shake the container to mix the fat back into the milk. Avoid vigorous shaking to prevent damaging the milk's nutrients. Heating breast milk can cause separation of the fat, but gentle mixing can help restore its original consistency.
Yes, it is normal for breast milk to separate in the fridge. This is due to the natural fats in the milk rising to the top. Simply swirl the milk gently to mix it back together before feeding it to your baby.
Breast milk is made when it is needed it is not stored in the breast.
Breast milk is good for 24 hours after thawing in the refrigerator. To ensure safety and quality, store breast milk in clean containers with tight lids, label with date and time, and keep in the back of the refrigerator or freezer. Avoid refreezing thawed breast milk.
Breast milk dries up after being left for a while, or it runs out if your baby is enormously greedy and gobbles it all up... it would come back after that though. :-)
Breast milk can be safely left out at room temperature for up to 4 hours before it needs to be refrigerated.