If you are breastfeeding, you may have excess milk that can be stored in the freezer. Breast milk can be damaged and harmful to the baby if not thawed properly. Thawing frozen breast milk slowly is an important step. You can cash it out overnight, or a few hours during the day. If your breast milk has been prepared well in advance, your baby will be safe and you won't be wasting frozen milk.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Freezing Breastmilk
Step 1. Store breast milk in small portions
Breast milk is still in good condition after being thawed for 24 hours so you shouldn't freeze more than one serving per day in one container. You can store breast milk in a plastic bag or special freezer bottle (preferably a 60-120 ml container).
- If using a container, choose a BPA-free glass or plastic container (free of Bisphenol A compounds) that can be tightly closed.
- If using a bag, do not choose a regular plastic bag or bottle. Use bags specially designed for freezing breast milk.
Step 2. Write the date on the breast milk container
Even if it's frozen, breast milk can't last forever. Do not use breast milk that has been frozen for more than 3-6 months. By writing down the date, you can ensure that your baby is getting good milk.
Step 3. Place the oldest breast milk in the front of the freezer
Place the new breast milk in the back of the freezer, which has a more consistent temperature. This is also to ensure that what you take first is the older breast milk.
Step 4. Remove the milk from the freezer to thaw overnight
Make this a daily routine at night, by diluting the milk that will be used the next day. This way, you won't run out of ready-to-use milk and won't be tempted to thaw the milk quickly.
Method 2 of 4: Defrosting Breast Milk Overnight
Step 1. Remove the oldest milk from the freezer
Check the label on the milk container to make sure it doesn't last too long. Make sure that no old breast milk containers are stuck in the back of the freezer.
Step 2. Place the breast milk in the refrigerator overnight
Sometimes it can take up to 12 hours to thaw breast milk in the refrigerator. So make sure you take the time to dilute it. If your baby is used to drinking milk at 7 a.m., you should place it in the fridge by 7 a.m. the night before.
Step 3. Serve breast milk in the morning
Make sure the breast milk has completely thawed before giving it to the baby. If breast milk cannot be given within 24 hours of being thawed, don't take the risk (because it may have gone bad). Just throw away the salt!
Method 3 of 4: Defrosting Breast Milk on the Same Day
Step 1. Place frozen breast milk in warm water
Place the container of breast milk under a stream of warm water or put it in a basin filled with warm water. A few minutes later, you can replace the warm water with room temperature water until the milk reaches room temperature.
Step 2. Heat the breast milk using a bottle warmer
Instead of warm water, you can place a bottle of frozen breast milk in a bottle warmer. Turn on the tool. This tool will slowly thaw breast milk. You can buy bottle warmers at baby supply stores or the internet.
Step 3. Serve or place the breast milk in the refrigerator
If you store it in the refrigerator, it must be used within 24 hours! You can write down a new date so you don't forget it. Avoid refreezing breast milk that has been thawed because it can contain microbes that can harm the baby.
Method 4 of 4: Using Thawed Breastmilk
Step 1. Gently shake or rotate the breast milk container
Breast milk can break and form a layer of fat on top. Shake or turn the container gently to mix the two layers again.
Step 2. Heat the breast milk with warm water (optional)
If your baby likes warm milk, place a tightly closed container of breast milk in warm water until it reaches the baby's preferred temperature. Never warm breast milk using the microwave, boiling water, or stove. This action will destroy the nutrients contained in the breast milk, and also make the baby's mouth scald!
Step 3. Test the temperature of the breast milk
Before giving it to the baby, test the temperature of the milk by placing a few drops of milk on your wrist. If it feels hot, it means the milk is still too hot for the baby! Breast milk should be lukewarm.
Do not check the temperature by simply touching the outside of the bottle as this can be misleading. Always do a skin test on the wrist or arm
Step 4. Taste or smell the milk
Discard breast milk if it smells or tastes sour. Always check for spoilage, especially if the breast milk has been at room temperature for more than an hour or in the refrigerator all day.
Tips
- Once thawed, breast milk doesn't actually need to be warmed. Some mothers keep it warm, but if the baby can accept breast milk at room temperature, you can serve it without heating it.
- If your milk production exceeds your baby's needs, contact your local breastfeeding social service (if any) and ask if they accept breast milk to donate to parents in need.
Warning
- Never refreeze breast milk that has been thawed.
- Do not allow thawed breast milk to remain in the refrigerator for more than a day, or at room temperature for more than a few hours.
- Do not warm milk in the microwave or on the stove. This can reduce the nutritional content in breast milk. In addition, breast milk that is warmed quickly can form "hot spots" that can make the baby's mouth blister.
- Do not mix fresh and frozen breast milk.
