How to Thaw Breastmilk

So you’ve successfully built up some stored breastmilk in the freezer! Congratulations…Now we just have to safely thaw it again so you can offer it to your baby. Let’s talk about how to thaw breastmilk.

Essentially there are 3 recommended options for thawing breastmilk:

1. In the fridge – If you know your baby will want a bottle tomorrow, then tonight put frozen milk in the freezer and it will be thawed by the morning. Once it’s thawed remember you have 24 hours to offer it to your baby.
2. In a warm cup of water – If your baby wants a bottle soon, then you can use a warm cup of water to thaw the breastmilk. I usually check and change the water a few times as the warm water will cool.
3. Under lukewarm running water – If your baby is hungry NOW, this is typically the quickest option. Because the water stays warm and doesn’t cool off it thaws the bottle the fastest.

Can I thaw breastmilk in a microwave?

No. No because it can create hotspots. And no because it can get too hot and destroy nutrients.

Can I thaw breastmilk in a bottlewarmer?

Most sources recommend no. If the milk is frozen in a bottle and you’re following the instructions, it’s possible. However most milk is frozen in bags, and bottle warmers get so hot that the milk will likely heat up more quickly than predicted!