Defrosting breastmilk in warm water

[TwoBees]

How long will breastmilk last in the refrigerator after it has been defrosted in warm water? For ex, if I have a 4 oz bag that I defrost in warm water, but only need 2 oz, can I put the remainder in the fridge for a later bottle?

[jammytoast]

I go by the hour rule if its thawed/warmed. What I typically do instead is put a frozen bag in the fridge overnight until its slushy, then dump out a little to warm. That way, the rest of the bag is still thawing/icy a few hours later when needed.

i hate packaging milk in 2 oz segments, so do this instead. Yes, I realize that I might not get the full amount of fat mixed in, but the occasions I do it, its preferable than wasting 2 or 4 oz!!

[TwoBees]

Thanks. 1 hr is what I thought too, but I couldn't remember exactly!

[sunshine873]

As long as you just defrost it & don't let it get warm, I don't see why you can't leave it in the fridge for longer than an hour.

In the NICU, they would defrost in lukewarm water, mix in any fortifiers and then refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

[catsnkid]

@ Daycare the rule for defrosted milk is 24 hours.

[Rainbows&Roses]

Originally Posted by sunshine873

As long as you just defrost it & don't let it get warm, I don't see why you can't leave it in the fridge for longer than an hour.

In the NICU, they would defrost in lukewarm water, mix in any fortifiers and then refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

In our NICU, they were very adamant that any warmed milk (from previously frozen milk) had to be used within the hour.

[TwoBees]

Originally Posted by Rainbows&Roses

In our NICU, they were very adamant that any warmed milk (from previously frozen milk) had to be used within the hour.

This too, for us.