Thawing and Feeding Stored Breastmilk

Thawing Frozen Milk

To thaw frozen milk, you can do one of the following:

1. Put the container in the refrigerator.

2. Put the container in a cup of warm or lukewarm water.

3. Run lukewarm water over the container.

Whatever method you choose, keep these tips in mind:

DO:

• Thaw the oldest milk first (REMEMBER: First in, first out).

• Keep the container sealed.

• Use milk thawed in the refrigerator within 24 hours (from the time it completely thawed—not from the time you took it out of the freezer).

• Use room-temperature or warm, thawed milk within 2 hours.

• Use leftover milk from a feeding within 2 hours after baby has finished.

DON’T:

• Thaw or heat milk on the stovetop or in a microwave.

• Refreeze thawed milk.

Warming Refrigerated Milk

Many babies are just fine with drinking room-temperature milk, but some prefer warmer milk. If this is your baby,

• keep the container sealed;

• place the container in a pot of warm water for a few minutes, or run warm tap water over it;

• swirl the milk inside the container to mix the fat that may have separated;

• test the milk’s temperature by putting a few drops on your wrist (you want the milk warm, not hot).