My baby is going to stay with my mum for a whole day, & I need to express enough milk to last a whole day, I have to do it over a few days. I was going to freeze it but I dont want to defrost too much in case it's too much & wasted & defrost too little in case it's not enough. Is it safe to defrost it quickly in hot water? So my Mum can just take it out of the freezer when it's needed? I do it to the milk I drink & it seems fine, but I'm not sure if it will be safe for my baby.
2006-07-16 00:38:47 · 15 answers · asked by Dannie 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Actually, that's precisely the way you're *supposed* to thaw frozen milk--hold it under running warm water, then make it warmer and warmer until the milk is thawed and at body temperature. So, yes, it's a good way to do it.
Under *no* circumstances should you microwave it. That kills living cells, and also creates "hot spots" which could burn the baby. Even if you *do* mix it well so that there are no more hot spots, overheating will destroy some vitamins (in fact, you should never microwave formula for the same reason).
Once milk is thawed after freezing, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. So, if your mother knows that baby will need at least 12 ounces, she can thaw (but *not* heat) that much early on. Once baby has gone through that much and will definitely need more, she can thaw it after the previous feeding so that she won't have to thaw it so quickly the next time.
Or...if you are pumping it the week before, you should know that milk is good in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. This may be the best solution if you can do that.
2006-07-16 03:10:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say go ahead and keep the milk refridgerated, rather than freezing it. Freezing it and thawing it kills some of the antibodies, so as long as your mom uses the milk within 8 days of your expressing it, it will still be fine in the fridge. As a way to not waste it, have your mother heat up small amounts at a time. That way, if the baby is still hungry, she can heat a little more and if the baby is not hungry, she doesn't watse any. For example, if you have a 1 month old, heat up about 2 oz of milk, then if the baby is still hungry, heat 1 more ounce. Also, don't heat breastmilk or formula in the microwave. Heat it in warm water or use a bottle warmer. HTH!!
2006-07-16 05:08:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can defrost it in hot water or even a microwave the method does not matter. The important thing to note is (particularly with a microwave) is that things will tend to heat up in some areas more then others. So a simple temp check may seem fine, but the baby could get a hot patch. I recommend in either method, that once warmed up, you pour the contents out into a glass (or other container) stir it up (making sure the heat is all properly distributed) and then check it for proper temp, then it can be added back into the bottle.
2006-07-16 00:45:48 · answer #3 · answered by tm_tech32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breastmilk will keep for 6-8 days in the refridgerator. If you think it will be used up in that time, why even freeze it?
DO NOT microwave breastmilk to thaw it. This can destroy some of the good stuff in the milk and can also cause hot spots which could scald the baby.
It IS OK to float it in a bowl or cup of hot water to thaw it. You can also hold it under hot running water.
2006-07-16 03:11:21 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For both of my children, I have pumped and frozen breastmilk. I would take it to your mother's house frozen and have her defrost it as she needs it. I just put the bottle in a large cup of warm tap water to defrost. It will take about 20 minutes. She might have to empty the cup and put more warm water in. Never use a microwave because it heats unevenly and can create hot spots in the milk that could burn baby's mouth. Good luck!
2006-07-16 02:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by Momof2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is safe to defrost your breast milk, but why don't you take the frozen breast milk to your mother's house, place it in her freezer and she can defrost the milk when the baby is hungry. Just remind your mom to test the milk to make sure that it not too hot for the newborn.
2006-07-16 00:47:20 · answer #6 · answered by shel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T use the microwave, it will loose some of it's nutrients. Also, don't boil it for the same reason. Warm water in a bowl (you'll probably have to fill w/ water a couple of times or leave it under the tap). Start to defrost for next day in fridge.
2006-07-17 07:14:00 · answer #7 · answered by POOKIE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breastmilk is safe in the fridge for 2-3 days before freezing. is your mom watching your baby past then? if not then you could just leave it fresh and put what's left over in the freezer.
to answer your question, yes, she can defrost it quickly in warm "not hot" water. She'll just have to be on her toes watching for hunger signs so baby isn't super hungrey (cranky) by the time it's warm enough for your little one. Good luck and enjoy your day out.
2006-07-16 00:45:46 · answer #8 · answered by justagirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BREAST MILK SHOULD NOT BE MICROWAVED... but your mom can put it under hot running water or in a bowl with hot water so it can defrost... or even put it in the refrigerator in advance to defrost slowly.... BUT NEVER MICROWAVE BREAST MILK....
2006-07-16 04:13:59 · answer #9 · answered by lilly_mom_pr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is better to give your baby refrigerated milk rather than frozen if you have it available.
For thawing frozen milk immerse the bag/container of milk in warm water (not hot) Do not microwave it.
2006-07-16 01:01:09 · answer #10 · answered by herdoula 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋