Using thawed breast milk?

[TelephoneTree]

I took some breast milk out of the freezer yesterday afternoon to thaw in the fridge over night. Do I have to use it today or will it still be ok to use at lunch time tomorrow??

I thought I needed it today but it's tomorrow and I'm short of supplies!

[MotherPanda]

after taking it out of the freezer, you can give the milk 12 hours to defrost in the fridge and then it must be used within 24 hours. so you have 36 hours from taking it out of the freezer to use it up.

so... think that might be too late. why not use it today, and express your milk today for tomorrow?

[TelephoneTree]

Thank you for replying - that's really helpful.

That's what I did but i didn't manage to express more than 40mls. I really struggle to get decent volumes despite following all tips. in fact the best I do is 100mls if I express first thing in the morning, which i can only do if he misses a night feed for any reason.

Aaagh!

[MotherPanda]

i always find its best in the morning, with a cuddle with my baby. try not to watch how much you're doing too - i find i express more if i distract myself!