Hello everyone! I am studying to take the IBCLC exam and have a question for all you wise ones. I would like to see if I can get clarification and referencing on the correct guidelines to storage of thawed frozen breastmilk in the refrigerator specifically. I work for WIC and our handout states that we can store breastmilk, that has been defrosted, for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. What is not explained in the pamphlet is the mode of thawing. Looking into the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, it explains that "milk can be thawed slowly at room temperature... monitored and refrigerated before it is completely thawed" and it can be "thawed quickly in a container of warm water (not to exceed 37 degrees C... while still chilled... refrigerate until use". The word "monitored" makes me uncomfortable because that can be very subjective. If I understand this correctly, moms can thaw with warm water (using precautions to avoid contamination) and then still refrigerate for 24 hours from that point on? or should they thaw in the refrigerator, then at what point do they count 24 hours after thawing? Or do they count the 24 hours since they place the milk in the refrigerator from the freezer? Some of our moms are not even literate and need a simple way to understand storage and handling of breastmilk.  I appreciate very much any clarification I can get in advance, thank you!


Adriana Arrizon
Sonoma County WIC

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