Storage Disclaimer

Please read this - it matters.

Milk First is a tracking tool, not medical advice. The storage timelines shown in the app are informational defaults based on publicly available CDC-style guidance for expressed breast milk for healthy, full-term babies:

• Freshly expressed milk: up to 4 hours at room temperature, up to 4 days in the refrigerator, about 6 months best (up to 12 months acceptable) in the freezer.
• Cooler bag with frozen ice packs: up to 24 hours.
• Thawed in the refrigerator: use within 24 hours after fully thawed.
• Warmed or brought to room temperature: use within 2 hours.
• Leftover from a feeding: use within 2 hours after the baby finishes.
• Never refreeze milk once it has fully thawed. Never microwave breast milk.

When these defaults don't apply

If your baby is preterm, was in the NICU, is ill, or immunocompromised, or your doctor, NICU team, or lactation consultant gave you different instructions - follow their instructions, not the app's defaults. Milk First includes a Conservative preset and fully customizable rules under Settings → Storage rules so the app can match what your care team told you.

Your judgment comes first

Timelines are estimates, not guarantees. Storage conditions vary (door shelves, power outages, opened bags, warm rooms). When in doubt about any milk, ask your care team.

Sources: CDC guidance on the proper storage and preparation of breast milk, and La Leche League storage guidelines. This page summarizes guidance for convenience and may not reflect the latest updates - check the primary sources for current recommendations.