Becky,
You mention thawing or warming ebm in hot water.  To avoid denaturing all
those wonderful proteins, it is best to thaw under cool running water, and
then gradually increase the temp of the water to warm.  Very hot water will
destroy the critical shape of the immune component (and other) proteins, and
they will no longer function.  Recent research indicates that human milk can
be stored in the refridgerator for up to 8 days.  I would prefer to keep milk
longer in the fridge, as the white blood cells die slowly; rather than freeze
and immediately kill them all.  All these points are less important for the
baby who gets an occasional bottle of expressed milk...but those who get a
significant portion of their milk by bottle would benefit from careful
handling of the milk to preserve the immunological properties, IMHO.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]