How To Thaw Breast Milk In Bag: What You Need to Know 

Freezing your breastmilk is super important in your motherhood and pumping journey. But here’s the catch: while freezing your breastmilk can be a breeze, thawing frozen breast milk can be a bit of a challenge. If you’re anything like me, you want to make sure that you’re making the most of all of your liquid gold’s nutritional goodness. And trust me, a few extra steps can make all the difference.

So today, I’m breaking down how you can thaw breast milk stored in breast milk storage bags (AND how you shouldn’t) with some handy tips to keep it safe, nutritious, and easy for you. Because let’s be honest, we’re already juggling enough as is!

How To Thaw Breast Milk In Bag: What You Need to Know

How to thaw breast milk in a fridge.

Defrosting breast milk in the refrigerator is basically the slow and steady route to take. It makes sure that the nutrients and quality of your milk are preserved. If you’re a parent who can think ahead, this is a great option for you.

• Place the frozen breast milk bag in the fridge. Quick tip: put the bag inside a clean container to thaw. Oftentimes breastmilk bags will leak, and if it’s in a clean container you can still use the milk!
• Let it thaw for 12 hours, or up to 24 hours, depending on the quantity of milk.
• Once thawed, the milk can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and NEVER refreeze.

How to thaw breast milk in warm water.

If you’re short on time, warm water is a fast and pretty easy option, but just make sure you don’t overheat the milk. For even more tips, check out my Milk Storage Guide!

• Fill a bowl or sink with warm water (again, WARM, not hot, you don’t want to create hot spots).
• Submerge the bottle or bag of frozen breast milk in the bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
• Once the milk is thawed, pour it into a bottle.

Alternatively, you can pop the bag under warm running water.

How to thaw breast milk in a bottle warmer.

A bottle warmer (grab this one with my code MOWTP15P) is the most convenient and precise way to start warming breast milk quickly while keeping a consistent temperature.

• Place the frozen milk bag in the bottle warmer.
• Select the thawing option on your bottle warmer.
• Wait until the milk reaches the right temperature, which usually takes about 5-10 minutes depending on the model you have.
• Test the milk temperature first by dropping a few drops on the inside of your wrist to make sure it’s not too hot.

How to thaw breast milk in a cooler with ice packs.

On-the-go? If so, a cooler with ice packs can be an absolute lifesaver! It’s great for trips, errands, or when you’re not near a fridge but still need to thaw your milk slowly. If you’re already used to pumping at work, you know how to stay organized during the hustle and bustle! So, this should be a good option for you!

• Store the frozen breast milk in a well-insulated cooler with ice packs.
• Allow the milk to thaw slowly for up to 24 hours.
• When ready to use, transfer the milk to a fridge to finish thawing.
• Make sure your cooler stays at a consistent temperature to prevent it going off. 

You can also thaw multiple bags at a time by emptying the frozen bricks into a pitcher or container, and allowing it to thaw in the refrigerator. 

How Long Is Thawed Breast Milk Good For

Once it’s been thawed, breast milk is only good for a small amount of time. To make sure that your baby gets the best and safest nutrition. It’s super important to know all of the guidelines for how long you can store breast milk (which is where this milk storage spreadsheet comes in handy.)

Thawed breast milk is generally good for up to 24 hours if stored in the fridge. If left at room temperature, it should be used ASAP but not longer than 2 hours, and if in a heated bottle warmer, it should be used within 1-2 hours after warming. After these timeframes, it’s much safer if you discard the milk.

As always, just err on the side of caution and get rid of any milk left out beyond these times. Better safe than sorry!

Thaw your breast milk safely with these options!

Freezing breast milk, as well as thawing and storing breast milk properly is really important to make sure your baby gets the best and most nutritious feed possible. By following the right methods, you can be sure you’re preserving the quality and safety of your liquid gold! Just make sure you avoid some common mistakes like microwaving, thawing in boiling water, and NEVER refreeze thawed milk. 

If you’re still feeling a little lost (which is TOTALLY normal), check out The Ultimate Pumping Course for kindness, guidance, and support when you need it most!