Using frozen EBM...

[petster]

Hi guys

Just wanted your advice/opinions... The recommendation for storage of frozen EBM in the freezer of a fridge/freezer is 3 months. How important do you think this is? Is it just a guide, like use-by dates on food? :confused: I have stacks of EBM, some of it just over 4 months old... Would you guys use it? It seems such a waste to throw it away! :(

Thanks in advance!!

Cheers!

[bubbles28]

Hi there,
I know it is very hard to throw EBM away as it can be such an effort just to get it.
I thinks is important to stick to the recommendation though. I also had a lot of EBM in frezzer and went to use one just after the expiry date. I warmed it up and then I noticed that it was all lumpy and spoiled, so I threw it straight out.
I would't want to risk getting bub sick from it.
I do know if it is stored in a deep frezzer it can last longer.
Hope this is of help :D

[jes]

If it was stored in a normal freezer it can only be kept for 3 months NO more! Its not worth the risk to bubs! if its stored in a box freezer(deep freeze) it can be kept for up to 12mths according to the Royal Womens Hospital.

hope that helped :D

[AM]

I would probably be pretty careful of fz bm that is kinda old, but I always sampled it first before I gave it to ds, just to make sure it was still OK, sometimes even freshly frozen bm does funny things.

[Milly]

Yes, pretty much what everyone else suggested. But I can relate to the feeling of throwing it away. It is very hard to throw EBM away. I remember throwing 120mls away once and it was one of my best expressing achievements :D , but we had defrosted it thinking that we may need it, but we did not so down the sink it went. Hence the recommendation to freeze smaller amounts :) But whatever the amount it is hard throwing it away.

[zenifa]

Hi everyone!!
I need some advice - I've been feeding bub by breast and EBM (to give those sore nipples a break), but am finding that my supply is increasing - waking up with very full breasts - so I want to know the best way to store EBM.

I've heard that if you sterilise ice cube tray, you can store small amounts, also freezer/plastic bags - are there any other storage options, which is best. Also what about defrosted and reheating the milk for use?

All tips/info are welcome. Z :)

[petster]

Hi Zenifa

I store my EBM in 50ml lots in zip-lock bags. EBM can be stored for 3 months in the freezer part of a fridge/freezer combo, or for 6 months in a chest freezer. To thaw, leave overnight, or defrost in a container of water, or run under the tap. Once thawed it needs to be used within 24 hours, but if you reheat it, you will need to discard what you don't use. To warm milk, just place bottle in a bowl of hot water - don't heat in the microwave (breastmilk heats inconsistently in the microwave). Hope this helps!!

Cheers!

[zenifa]

Miranda
Thanks for the info, I will get some zip lock bags and start storing some EBM. I guess with the zip lock bags it has a strip where you can label the date, to ensure its not kept beyond the three month mark.
Z:)