Learn about ways to freeze, store, and
thaw breast milk for feeding your baby when breastfeeding is not possible.
With power out in much of New Jersey and swaths of New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, breast - feeding moms have been frantically making arrangements and matches, scouting out available freezers and using Facebook to link up those with
thawing breast milk with those lucky enough to have electricity and freezer space to spare.
You can give your
baby thawed breast milk directly from the refrigerator, or you can warm it up to room temperature or body temperature.
Okay, so you say not to
store thawed breast milk that was previously frozen in a cooler or at room temp, so what do I do if I am going out and want to take a bottle with me and all I have is frozen milk and my daughter may not want to eat right away?
And research in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that
even thawed breast milk that's been unrefrigerated for up to eight hours can be safely refrozen.
Caution: Don't
thaw breast milk by leaving it out at room temperature because that can allow harmful bacteria to grow.
If you are
thawing your breast milk in the back of the refrigerator or in a cooler bag, try setting it in a clean and sterile tray or container just in case.
The microwave should NEVER be used to
thaw breast milk.
Now that you understand how to
thaw breast milk, you may be wondering how to warm it up.
If
your thawed breast milk has a soapy smell, it may be due to the breakdown of milk fats.
I hear so many different stories of how to
thaw breast milk or warm it to room temperature from the fridge.
«Will your baby take
the thawed breast milk?
Thawing Breast Milk: Slowly thawing breast milk by placing it in the refrigerator or putting it into a container of warm water will help to prevent the destruction of the lactoferrin and other important immune properties.
Thawed breast milk will keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (but don't refreeze it)».
Previously frozen and
thawed breast milk can stay in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and at room temperature for up to 4 hours.
Whether you would like to heat your chilled breast milk inside a feeding bottle or
your thawed breast milk in a storage bag, having the best bottle warmers by your side will make it a simple task.
Thawed breast milk that has been previously frozen can stay in a refrigerator for 24 hours only.
Follow these practical tips on choosing containers, freezing breast milk,
thawing breast milk and more.
Also,
thawed breast milk might seem to have a different odor or consistency than freshly expressed milk.
Thaw breast milk in the refrigerator or in a bowl of warm water instead.
Thawing breast milk in a bowl of warm water takes approximately 20 minutes if you keep an eye on the water and change it as soon as it cools down.
Frozen Breast milk: Previously frozen and
thawed breast milk can remain out at room temperature 1 - 2 hours best, 3 - 4 hours okay.
When
you thaw your breast milk according to the safety guidelines, it maintains more of its nutrients, and it's less likely to spoil.
Thawed breast milk can not be saved.
Thaw breast milk in the refrigerator.
Thawed breast milk is good for 4 hours at room temperature, or 24 hours in the refrigerator.
To
thaw breast milk, remove the bottle from the freezer and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.