In urban Pakistan with ambient room temperatures often exceeding 28°C, freshly expressed breast milk should be refrigerated within 2 hours.
In the refrigerator (4°C), breast milk stays safely preserved for up to 4 days. In a deep freezer (-18°C), it preserves for up to 6 months in sterile storage cups or pre-sealed breast milk bags.
Never microwave breast milk: microwaves create hot spots that can burn infant mouths and denature delicate protective enzymes.
Use an electric bottle warmer with gentle water circulation, or place the sealed container into a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes.
