Expired breast milk - anything I can use it for?

[RoseDuperre]

Well, it happened. The few bags I had left in the freezer from when I stopped pumping have now gone over 6 months - it's 7 or 8 for some of them. I wouldn't feel comfortable feeding them to Lily, much less donating it.

Is there anything I can, like, make from it? Soap or lotion or something? The thought of it just going completely to waste pains me! Halp.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Your dog or cat might enjoy it.

[3girls1boy]

you can use it for baking...it is probably not sour, but if it is anything that you might use sour milk or buttermilk for is good--i.e. pancakes or biscuits.

[lkmiscnet]

Do you really have to throw it out after 6 months? Is that a hard and fast rule? How is it determined that it's only good for 6 months? Are there any research studies on this?

I'm curious because I've been banking milk since June (I think I even have some May bags), since I plan to start weaning in Dec.

I have a separate upright freezer, though May, June, and July milk was in my regular fridge's freezer, until we bought the separate one.

I read somewhere, or maybe it was just that particular person, that you should just see if it passes the smell test to tell if it's still ok.

Linda

[Mom2SammyJoe]

If the milk is in a deep freeze, I have read that is good for "six months or longer" or 6-12 months. I don't know what "or longer" means, but I don't think it will make anyone sick. It just may not be as tasty.

[Bearsmom]

husband's coffee

My husband sometimes uses my old milk in his coffee!