You can thaw breast milk in the refrigerator, under lukewarm running water, or in a bowl of warm water. The refrigerator offers a gradual option, while running water or a bowl of warm water can help when you need the milk sooner. [1]
Choose the method that fits the moment: for example, you might use the refrigerator when you have time to plan, or warm water when you need milk sooner. [1] Thawing can feel like one more step in a busy feeding routine, but you have more than one practical option. This guide explains how to thaw frozen milk and what to do after it has thawed, so you can prepare for a feed with confidence.
What to check before thawing
Before thawing, choose a clean, sealed container and decide when you’ll need the milk so you can plan the next step. This small check helps you prepare for a feed without getting sidetracked by comparing storage products.
Look over the container before you handle it. Choose one that is closed securely and appears clean; if you have several, pick the one you plan to use for the upcoming feed. Keep the milk in its container as you prepare to thaw it.
Your timing can guide your plan: if you do not need the milk right away, you can thaw it in the refrigerator; if you need it sooner, lukewarm running water or a bowl of warm water are options. [1] For example, if you are preparing ahead for a later feed, consider the refrigerator; if a feed is coming up sooner, choose one of the water-based options. [1]
You do not need to decide which storage bag or bottle is best as part of thawing. Focus on choosing the sealed container of milk you want for the feed and planning when you’ll prepare it. To go further, see Is a Tommee Tippee Breast Milk Storage System Right for You?
How to thaw breast milk in the refrigerator
Place the frozen milk container in the refrigerator, where breast milk can thaw gradually. [1] Keep it upright on a refrigerator shelf so you can check it easily; for example, move a bottle from the freezer to the fridge when you start preparing for a later feed.
Allow enough time for the milk to thaw before the planned feeding. [2] Thawing in the refrigerator normally takes around 12 hours, so a container moved shortly before a feed may still be frozen. [2] If you are planning tomorrow’s feed, put the container in the refrigerator well ahead of time rather than waiting until your baby is ready to eat.
Before preparing the milk for feeding, check that it has thawed. [1] Look for any remaining frozen portion in the bottle or bag; if you still see ice, give it more time in the refrigerator and check again before preparing it.
How to thaw it more quickly with water
Use lukewarm running water or a bowl of warm water to thaw frozen breast milk more quickly. [1][3] Keep the process simple and gentle, whether you are thawing a bottle or a bag. For a closer look, read How to Store Breast Milk: A Simple Routine.
Hold the frozen bottle or bag under lukewarm running water. [1] Let the water run over the container rather than opening it; for example, keep the closure above the stream while water flows over the frozen portion.
Or place the container upright in a bowl of warm water. [1][3] If you use this method, gently move the container around in the water as it thaws. [3] Keep the water warm, not hot or boiling. [3]
Choose the method that is easiest to manage at feeding time. For example, use the bowl if you want to keep the container in one place, or running water if you can hold it comfortably under the faucet. Avoid rushing the process by making the water hotter; warm water is the recommended approach. [3]
What to do once the milk has thawed
Once the milk has thawed, check that no frozen pieces remain before you prepare it for your baby. If the container still has icy spots, give it more time to thaw rather than treating it as ready to use.
If you want to warm the container, use a water-based method: set it in warm water or hold it under lukewarm running water. These are options for warming the container after thawing, as well as ways to thaw frozen milk. [1]
For example, if you find a small frozen patch in a bottle, wait until it has thawed before preparing the feed. If the milk is already fully thawed but feels cool, you can warm the container with water if you prefer; warming is optional.
Before feeding, check current authoritative guidance for how soon thawed milk should be used and what to do with any milk left after a feed. Those timing and leftover rules can depend on the situation, so avoid guessing or relying on a rule you remember from another context. You can check the current guidance when you prepare the milk.
Thawing mistakes to avoid
Avoid hot or boiling water when thawing breast milk; use warm water as directed instead. [3] This distinction matters when you are moving quickly: a bowl of warm water is not the same as a bowl of hot or boiling water. [3] Keep the container in the warm-water method described for thawing, rather than turning up the heat to hurry the process. [3]
Keep thawing separate from storage advice
Thawing instructions tell you how to bring frozen milk to a usable state; they are not a complete set of rules for how long milk can be stored. [1] For example, learning that milk can thaw in the refrigerator or in warm water does not tell you how long it may remain there or when to use it. [1] Treat those as separate questions, and check current guidance when you need a storage-duration or leftover-milk rule.
A practical way to avoid mixing them up is to focus on one decision at a time: first, choose a thawing method, then look up any timing advice you need for storage or use. This keeps a quick thawing step from becoming a guess about how long the milk is still suitable. For instance, do not assume that because a container thawed in warm water, the same method also answers how long you can keep it afterward.
Choose the method that fits your feeding plan
Choose the thawing method that fits your feeding plan: use the refrigerator when you can plan ahead, or warm water when you need a quicker option. [1] Both approaches give you a practical way to prepare frozen milk for a feed, so you can choose the one that fits the moment. [1]
For example, if you are getting tomorrow’s feed ready, you can choose the refrigerator; if you need milk sooner, use lukewarm running water or a bowl of warm water. [1] Keep the next step simple: decide when you expect to feed your baby, then use the method that suits that timing. [1]