Storing breastmilk
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24383
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Topic: Storing breastmilk
Posted By: Aithne
Subject: Storing breastmilk
Date Posted: 08 February 2009 at 5:23pm
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Hi all.
Im just wondering the best ways to store breastmilk and what to store them in?? I only want to know just incase i have to go out and leave baby at home with someone. Like if i go out for the night or out for the day. I have about 5 normal bottles and 1 bottle that came with my breast pump. i didnt know if i could store it in the normal bottles or if it needs to be stored in bags?? And if so what kind of bags. can i just use the regular sandwich zip lock bags?? how many times can i use them? or do i need to buy specific bags?? I would only be looking at storing it in the fridge, as i doubt i would ever be gone long enough to have to freeze them. TIA 
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Replies:
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 08 February 2009 at 5:57pm
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I think the rule is 4 hours at room temperature, 4 days in the fridge and 3-4 months in the freezer. I got a pile of urine sample bottles (it's what they stored breastmilk in at Starship) so I freeze those. I also sometimes use Glad Freezer bags. The ziplock bags are apparently sterile until they're opened so they're all good, though BM has lots of antibacterial things in it. If you're just keeping it in the fridge, it's fine to keep them in the bottles/ ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 08 February 2009 at 7:42pm
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I expressed 3 times a day for Dominic and breastmilk goes off so fast. Get it in the fridge immediately and use that day or freeze that day. When you defrost the milk do it by putting the container in a jug of boiled water and melt it immediately before use. If you defrost it slowly in the fridge it will be off by the time you use it.
You might want to consider freezing some to use when you start your baby on solids, good for mixing with farex. And the other consideration is that it is good to have a store in case you get sick etc. |
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 08 February 2009 at 8:12pm
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You can store in bottles, but bags take up less room.
You can buy milk storage bags - swissper do really good ones. Bags should only be used once. Over a full day your baby will need roughly 800ml of EBM, possibly have a litle more there in case they're a hungry bubby. So once you know how often bubs feeds, take 800ish divided by total number of feeds and thats how much to put in each storage container (roughly). To heat EBM, just pop container in warm water to bring it up to the right temp. Over heating it breaks down the good stuff. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 08 February 2009 at 11:51pm
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I used to freeze them in ice-cube trays - i measured and found that each cube held 10mls, so once they were frozen i would put them out into ziplock bags, and label date on and put in freezer... was great and stopped wastage as i could defrost the exact number of icecubes needed... ie bottles for daycare i'd chuck about 6 ice cubes in the morning and they defrosted nice and quickly so by the time we got to daycare and she needed them.. they were ready to go... with no waste. freezing in bottles etc sometimes means you have to defrost a whole heap to use a small amount.
just remember that once you defrost ebm - it can only be kept safely for 24 hours from when it came out of the freezer - even if refridgerated.. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: Aithne
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 11:45am
Oh i never even thought of that. thank you .
Just wondering how sick is to sick to feed baby? like if you just have a cold or if your so sick your taking meds for it?? |
Saffron wrote:Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 4:10pm
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You should be able to feed baby all the time unless you have surgery. Colds make no difference to your milk, and the antibodies in your milk will help protect baby and boost his or her immune system. You can take panadol safely whenever you need it, and if your really sick just let your Dr know you're breastfeeding and they will prescribe the safe option. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com">
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