La Leche League of Greater Redding, CA

06/12/2026

What’s the best way to thaw frozen breast milk?

One of the most common questions I get from parents is whether there is a “right” way to thaw breast milk. The good news is that there are a couple of safe options, and the best choice often depends on when you need the milk.

If you’re planning ahead, the ideal method is to move frozen milk from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly overnight. This gentle thawing process helps preserve some of the milk’s valuable bioactive components and gives you the longest window to use the milk. Once breast milk is completely thawed in the refrigerator, it should be used within 24 hours. The 24-hour countdown starts when the milk is fully thawed, meaning the last ice crystal has melted, not when you first move it from the freezer to the refrigerator.

Need milk sooner? You can thaw breast milk more quickly by placing the container or storage bag in a bowl of warm water or holding it under warm running water. Avoid boiling water, stovetops, bottle warmers that create hot spots, or microwaves. Microwaving can damage some of the protective components in breast milk and create uneven heating that may burn your baby.

When milk is thawed using warm water and reaches room temperature, it should generally be used within 2 hours. Because the milk warms more quickly, bacteria can grow faster than with refrigerated thawing, which is why the storage window is much shorter.

It’s also normal to notice that thawed milk looks different than fresh milk. The cream may separate, the color may vary from batch to batch, and some milk may even develop a soapy or metallic smell due to high lipase activity or oxidation. This does not necessarily mean the milk has gone bad. But always smell (and taste!!) your milk to make sure it tastes palatable for baby.

A few additional tips:
🍼 Thaw the oldest milk first.
🍼 Leave a little room in storage bags when freezing since milk expands.
🍼 Gently swirl or shake thawed milk to mix the cream back in. It’s totally fine to shake your breast milk! You can’t hurt or damage it!!
🍼 Never refreeze breast milk once it has been thawed.

If you’re building a freezer stash, consider freezing milk in smaller portions (2–4 ounces) so you can thaw only what your baby is likely to need. This helps reduce waste and makes feeding more flexible.

That frozen milk represents a lot of time, effort, and love. Knowing how to thaw and store it safely helps ensure your baby gets the full benefit of every drop.

06/12/2026

When people hear that a baby needs supplementation, they often assume the only option is a bottle.

But there is another option that many families don’t know exists: supplementing at the breast.

This can be done using a syringe, a feeding tube, or a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) that delivers milk while the baby nurses.

For some families, this can be a valuable tool that allows a baby to receive additional milk while continuing to spend time at the breast.

First, let’s talk about why someone might choose to supplement at the breast.

Sometimes supplementation is temporary. A baby may need extra milk while waiting for milk production to increase after birth, while recovering from a difficult delivery, while improving milk transfer, or while working through a feeding challenge.

Sometimes supplementation is longer term.

Some mothers have conditions that permanently affect milk production, including:

• Prior breast reduction surgery
• Breast cancer treatment
• Lumpectomy or mastectomy
• Insufficient glandular tissue (IGT)
• Significant breast trauma
• Hormonal or endocrine conditions affecting milk production

In these situations, the breast may produce some milk but not a full milk supply.

Supplementing at the breast allows the baby to continue nursing while receiving the additional milk they need.

Other families use at-breast supplementation in unique situations.

I’ve worked with breast cancer survivors who wanted to provide whatever milk their body could make while using donor milk or formula to meet the rest of their baby’s needs.

I’ve worked with reduction patients whose babies thrived by receiving supplemental milk through an SNS while nursing.

I’ve worked with parents who had babies born through surrogacy and wanted to establish a breastfeeding relationship through induced lactation, even when a full milk supply wasn’t possible.

In all of these cases, feeding at the breast wasn’t just about calories. It was about nurturing, connection, regulation, comfort, bonding, and preserving a feeding relationship that was meaningful to the family.

So how does supplementation at the breast work?

Syringe Feeding at the Breast
One of the simplest methods is using a syringe. As the baby nurses, a caregiver slowly delivers small amounts of milk alongside the ni**le.

This can be useful for:

• Encouraging a sleepy baby to stay actively feeding
• Providing small supplements
• Supporting babies in the early newborn period
• Temporary supplementation plans

The equipment is inexpensive and readily available.

However, it can be difficult for larger volumes because someone has to continually administer the milk.

Supplemental Nursing Systems (SNS)

An SNS typically consists of a container filled with milk and a very small feeding tube that runs alongside the ni**le.

As the baby nurses, they receive both the milk from the breast and the supplemental milk flowing through the tube.

Benefits can include:

• Keeping baby at the breast
• Providing supplementation during nursing sessions
• Supporting breast stimulation
• Reducing the need for separate feeding methods
• Allowing babies to associate fullness with nursing

Some moms love SNS systems.

Others find them frustrating.

The tiny tubes can be fiddly. Setup takes practice. Cleaning takes time. Learning the technique can feel overwhelming during an already exhausting postpartum period.

Both experiences are valid.

Like many feeding tools, success often depends on having good support and finding a system that fits your family’s goals.

There Is No One Right Way to Supplement

This is perhaps the most important point.

Some families supplement at the breast.
Some use bottles.
Some combine methods.
Some use donor milk.
Some use formula.
Some use expressed milk.
Some do all of the above.

The goal is to feed the baby while supporting the family. At-breast supplementation is simply one tool among many.

For the right family, it can be an incredible way to provide needed nutrition while maintaining the breastfeeding relationship they value.

06/12/2026

Nursing is truly a journey, from those early days of learning and adjusting to the months when it becomes second nature. Looking back, what has been your favorite part of the experience?

[Image Description: Dark green background featuring white text that reads, "What has been your favorite nursing stage so far?" ]

06/07/2026

In many parts of the country, we're getting our first taste of summer. As temperatures rise, many parents wonder whether their baby needs extra water to stay hydrated.

For babies under 6 months of age, additional water can do more harm than good. Breastmilk provides all the hydration they need, so focus on offering frequent nursing sessions during hot weather.

Once babies are over 6 months old, small sips of water can be offered occasionally. Breastmilk still provides most of their hydration and nutritional needs throughout the first year.

[Image Description: Photo: A mother holds the hand of her toddler near a body of water. Text: Does my baby need water? In hot weather, babies may ask to nurse more frequently to quench their thirst. Babies under six months should not be given supplemental water. Too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication.]

06/03/2026

05/12/2026

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