Storing breastmilk

[MammaMia]

Just wondering...

when you need to freeze breast milk, what are you storing it in??

I froze some breastmilk in some clipseal bags, but found that they leak when defrosting.

Tips would be appreciated because I'm going to need a supply for a function coming up.

[mum2ryan]

Hi,
I freeze breast milk into ice cube trays and then into clip seal bags. When defrosting, put the required amount of cubes into a bottle and stand in the fridge, usually takes about 1/2 a day to defrost that way.

Hope this idea helps.

Leonie

[MammaMia]

Thanks. I think that will work much better than my original plan.

[H&B'sMum]

You can buy special breast milk storage bags from the chemist. I think they are about $10 for 10 (I think). You express your milk, then pour it into the bag and it has a special sealing strip which you pull away, fold over the top and it sticks. When I used them I bought them in a container in teh freezer and just defrosted it in the fridge when I needed it. They also came with labels I could write on the date and how much was in there, very handy.
I also know that Avent now have a EBM system you can buy which has containers and other stuff but don't know how much they are.

[Miss_Vicki]

Thanks for the tips girls , How long can u Store them ?

[xkwzit]

I always used zip lock bags for my EBM and only ever got the occaisional leak. This is what the hospital used when I was in as well - so I guessed they were OK and I wouldn't need "special" bags. I think you can keep it for around 2-3 months in the freezer - contact the ABA for exact figures. You probably shouldn't aim to keep it much longer than that, as your BM composition changes with the age of your baby.

Cheers

[mea]

I've been wondering what to store expressed milk in too. At the moment I have 4 bottles that I sterilise then express into and then store the milk in them, but I'd like to build up a larger supply for emergencies.

Do you mean normal ziplock bags from the supermarket, eg made by Glad? Or special sterile ones?

When you use icecube trays, what do you put the tray into while freezing to keep the milk sterile?

(Am I paranoid about keeping things sterile?)

Mea.

[JnA]

Medela have special bags that attach to the pump. They have volume levels and a place where you can write the date on them and you can heat the milk in the bag (or just let it defrost normally) . I found them quite cheap for a pack of 20.

According to the information on the leaflet in the packet, you can store breastmilk in the freezer for up to a month, and in the fridge for 24 hours... however I have read other brochures that say 2-3 months in the freezer and 24-48 hours in the fridge. SO I guess it depends on the fridge. Don't store breastmilk in the fridge door though, as that loses the most coolness.

[xkwzit]

Hi Mea
I just used ordinary Glad ziplock bags (and that's what they used in the maternity ward at the hospital too). EBM was stored in there for 6 months + with each baby and apart from v occaisional leaks, never had any problems.

Cheers

[bpato]

Hi

I have just found avent Via milk stroage cups to store and transport EBM in (they can also be used as food containers). They cost around $10 for 10 cups but are reusable, and sterililable, you can even buy an adaptor to attach them straight to avent bottles or isis breast pump.

Can anyone tell me can I add two bottle of frozen BM togeter once they have been defrosted to make one feed for DS?

thanks

Belinda

[JnA]

Can anyone tell me can I add two bottle of frozen BM togeter once they have been defrosted to make one feed for DS?

thanks

Belinda

yes, just make sure they are fully defrosted and mixed well.

[bpato]

Thanks for that Jaderocks.

Belinda

[Heids]

Hi Belinda

I to have been having trouble with the leakage so what I do is when I get it out of the freezer... I put a larger Glad bag over the top and defost in the fridge, then the milk shouldn't be contaminated and you don't lose any of it either :D

If you need it straight away put it into the the larger glad bag and soak it in very luke warm water. ( Not hot, colder the better )

You can freeze milk for up to 3 months but once defosted it should be used pretty much straight away.. 24hrs at the longest.

Smell it just incase - as I have had a defrosted an OFF bag of milk and you'll know it cause it gets up your nose and is exactally the same as normal OFF milk.. a bit slimy and YUKKO !

Heids