Key takeaways: A full, closed freezer keeps food frozen about 48 hours (24 hours if half full), and a closed refrigerator stays cold about 4 hours, according to the CDC. Keep doors closed. Frozen breast milk that still has ice crystals can be refrozen. Fully thawed milk that’s still cold should be refrigerated and used within a day. Ready-to-feed formula is safest when water may be unsafe.
Power outages are common during storms. Here’s how to protect your baby’s milk.
How Long Appliances Stay Cold
According to the CDC:
- Full freezer: about 48 hours if the door stays closed.
- Half-full freezer: about 24 hours.
- Refrigerator: about 4 hours if unopened.
Protecting Your Freezer Stash
- Keep the freezer closed as much as possible.
- Fill empty space with frozen water bottles or ice packs.
- Move milk to coolers with ice if the outage will be long.
- Ask about dry ice for longer outages, and handle it safely with gloves.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book is a month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, including the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor.
After Power Returns
CDC guidance:
- Milk with ice crystals that has started to thaw can be refrozen.
- Fully thawed milk that’s still cold: refrigerate and use within the next day, or throw it away.
- Milk that’s warm or above refrigerator temperature for too long: discard.
Formula During Outages
- Ready-to-feed formula is the safest choice when water safety is uncertain.
- Powder: use bottled water or water boiled for 1 minute and cooled.
- Prepared formula: use within 2 hours at room temperature; discard leftovers within 1 hour after a feed starts.
- Opened ready-to-feed or concentrate: keep cold and use within the time on the label. If it can’t be kept cold, discard.
Cleaning Bottles Without Power
- Use bottled or boiled water and dish soap.
- Use disposable bottles if available.
Breastfeeding in an Emergency
Breastfeeding directly needs no refrigeration or water. A manual pump is useful if you pump.
The Bottom Line
Keep freezers closed, refreeze milk with ice crystals, use thawed cold milk within a day, and rely on ready-to-feed formula when water is uncertain.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Formula Feeding on the Go
- Breast Milk Storage Guidelines: Room Temp, Fridge, and Freezer
- Traveling With Breast Milk
- How to Prepare Formula Safely: A Step-by-Step Guide
- High Lipase Milk: Why Thawed Milk Smells Soapy
- Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness With a Baby
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast milk storage questions and answers (power outages). https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant formula preparation and storage; safe water in emergencies. https://www.cdc.gov
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. Food safety during power outages. https://www.fsis.usda.gov
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
