I expressed some milk this morning using my hand pump and put the whole thing in the fridge then later (about 5hrs later) expressed some more and just added it to the same bottle.
My question is will the milk be ok as it was warm milk added to cold and the pump wasn't sterilised again inbetween?
Sorry if it sounds a dumb question :\)

Hi - the milk that you added to in the fridge will be fine and it is actually a valid question!
I would suggest that you sterilise the pump in between each feed although I know it is hassle!
It depends on how old lo is as to how sterile you need to be - if lo is very young you might need to discard the milk because of potential bugs getting into the steriliser in that 5 hours not because you have added to the other milk. It also depends on how much milk there is and how long it took you to express as it can be very depressing throwing away any milk especially if it has taken a while to get out! Hope that helps xx

Thanks arg! Kade is just over 6 months and there was only about 35ml expressed so it isn't a tradgedy if I need to throw it out but obviously would prefer not to waste any at all if I can help it.
I know I should have sterilised in between but was the usual case of being in a hurry so just popped it straight in the fridge. ops:

Do you think I should throw it just in case?

Hi there

I used to do the same as you and would add milk to what was already in the fridge. I will say though that i didnt leave it 5 hours inbetween and me personally wouldnt leave it more than a couple BUT that is not to say it wont be safe, however to be on the safe side, i know its horrible throwing hard work down the plug hole but i would do.

Ixxxxxxx

Hi I would probably say yes to throwing it but would also probably be very reluctant to if it was me! I am still expressing 1oz a day and lo is a year next week!! I have done all sorts of things that you are not supposed to with expressed milk such as use ebm that I've expressed when I've had thrush (you're not supposed to as it could re -infect you both), use ebm that is 7 months old (you are only supposed to keep it for 6 months) although I do only use it now to put on her weetabix to use it up as the milk bank only take 3 month old ebm and I have a freezer full! and have also kept milk that that has been out for hours after expressing (although b/feeding counsellor said that that was ok!)... and my lo is as healthy as ever and never been ill from my milk - which makes sense as it is full of good things and she came from me and is having my milk. So that's how reluctant I am to throw out the gold liquid!
What were you going to use it for and do you express frequently? x

Hi kimmie29 - I used to be told that you could keep milk in the fridge for 2 days then it changed to 3 days. A breastfeeding consultant then told me it was safe for up to a week and I have also read this. You need to make sure that it is in the back of the fridge though and not in the door.
I only express 1 oz a day now and freeze 3 oz at a time so it stays in for 3 days but I have done it for longer and lo has been fine xx

Well I ended up throwing it out...wanted to be on the safe side just incase.
Arg, I was just planning to use it in some of lo's cooking. I do express sometimes but not frequently to be honest. If I feel my supply's running a bit low I'll express a bit more then.

Kimmie, your right you keep it in the back of the fridge cause it is cooler than the door.