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azailia
He's TWO already!!!
Member since 9/09 1507 total posts
Name:
Dana
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breast milk storage questions
at what point can you put it in the freezer?
i had some in the fridge for about 5 days can i put it in the freezer?
how long does it last inthe freezer?
Can you mix more than one feeding in the same container and then put in the freezer?
can i put it directly in the freezer and not in the fridge at all?
sorry for all the questions, but i want to start storing for when I go back to work.
oh, now what are the rules for defrosting it???
should i just be storing in containers in the amount that he drinks at a time?
right now he takes 3 oz at a feeding, but it will probably be more by the time i go back.
can you defrost it but not use it all???
 I am very confused!!! please help!!!
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Posted 3/2/11 8:22 PM  |
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LadyBug1209
Mommy to FOUR little men!
Member since 8/08 9655 total posts
Name:
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Re: breast milk storage questions
5 days in the fridge is a very long time. I usually freeze milk the same day I pump it. I fill the bags up completely to the 6oz mark. That is what he is drinking now, so I just defrost 1 full bag per feeding. I usually boil a pot of water, take it off the heat and just put the bag in it to defrost slowly. HTH!
ETA: You can def combined milk from different pumping sessions.  Milk is good for 3 months in the regular freezer but longer in a deep freezer.
Message edited 3/2/2011 8:43:15 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/11 8:35 PM |
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megsm3
Life is Good!!
Member since 8/06 3867 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: breast milk storage questions
i had some in the fridge for about 5 days can i put it in the freezer?
I would put it in the freezer or use now lol
how long does it last inthe freezer?
depends where and what type
never store on the door - if it is in the freezer I remember being told 6 months max (we used a chest deep freeze), but I tried to make it only a max of 4 months
Can you mix more than one feeding in the same container and then put in the freezer?
YES
can i put it directly in the freezer and not in the fridge at all?
I always put it in the fridge until it felt cool then in the freezer, I do not know why though
oh, now what are the rules for defrosting it???
You can defrost in a bowl of water in the fridge if you want to make cold bottles (to be heated up later). Or you can defrost in warm water for immediate use.
should i just be storing in containers in the amount that he drinks at a time?
Store in smaller quantities so you do not waste as much - 3/4 oz is a good amount. As my DDs got older I was storing in bigger quantities (5/6 oz).
can you defrost it but not use it all??? Not if you warm it at all
GL!!
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:05 PM |
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RobinG
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/08 595 total posts
Name:
Robin
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Ok, I have a magnet from medela that says you can keep fresh milk in fridge 5-7 days before freezing. In the beginning I would freeze in about 4-4.5 oz servings since that is what he was eating. As your LO starts to eat more, you can freeze in different amounts to add to the 4 oz bags if you have a lot. You can keep it in a regular freezer 3 months. 6 months in a deep freeze. I defrost under warm running water in the sink. very quick. good luck! If you keep pumping regularly, you should have a great supply built up and it will be easier to keep on pumping than if you stop and try to pick it up again months down the road.
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:06 PM |
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labonnevie
sometimes 1+1= 4 <3
Member since 8/09 3869 total posts
Name:
the lucky one
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Posted by azailia
at what point can you put it in the freezer?
i had some in the fridge for about 5 days can i put it in the freezer?
I always put pumped milk into the refrigerator to cool down and then into the freezer afterwards.
how long does it last inthe freezer?
I have had BM in a deep freezer for 7months and it's still okay. I have read you can leave it in a deep freezer for up to a year. I wouldn't leave it in a regular freezer any longer than 4-5months because that gets opened often.
Can you mix more than one feeding in the same container and then put in the freezer?
As long as they're close in timing, I wouldn't combine yesterday & todays.
can i put it directly in the freezer and not in the fridge at all?
Yes.
oh, now what are the rules for defrosting it??? should i just be storing in containers in the amount that he drinks at a time?
I would store it in bags in the amount you pump. If you pump 6 ounces put it all in one bag, because if your DC only takes 4 then you have 2ounces for the next feeding. no need to waste bags.
can you defrost it but not use it all???
you can but you'd be wasting liquid gold!!!
Good luck! There's a good amount of EBF'ers on this board and we're here for you if you have any more questions!
Message edited 3/2/2011 9:24:09 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:23 PM |
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kspags
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 1228 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: breast milk storage questions
All the PP answered all of your questions, but I wanted to let you know if you are combining BM from different pumping sessions, you have to mix cold with cold. So you cannot mix freshly pumped BM with a bag or bottle already in the fridge. HTH!
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:38 PM |
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OrganicMama
So in love with my little man!
Member since 6/08 5172 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Posted by Maria31
5 days in the fridge is a very long time. I usually freeze milk the same day I pump it. I fill the bags up completely to the 6oz mark. That is what he is drinking now, so I just defrost 1 full bag per feeding. I usually boil a pot of water, take it off the heat and just put the bag in it to defrost slowly. HTH!
ETA: You can def combined milk from different pumping sessions. Milk is good for 3 months in the regular freezer but longer in a deep freezer.
Everyone has a different view on this. Kellymom (and a LC I spoke with) says 8 days in the refrigerator, and I've gone up to 7 days and it was fine. I keep it in the back, which is the coldest part.
I was also told it can be stored 6 months in a regular freezer, and 12 months in a deep freezer.
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:54 PM |
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jlk51496
Mom of 3 - YIKES! =)
Member since 10/09 6758 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Ive frozen milk after being in the fridge 5+ days no problem!
I have stored in my freezer 6-9 months (pushing the 9 month mark) no problems!
I have mixed freshly pumped milk with refrigerated milk no problem!
I always froze and stored 5 oz bags! and once defrosted it has to be used with in 24 hrs..so once it was thawed and I made a 3 oz bottle I used the other 2 in the next feed! No problems!
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| Posted 3/2/11 11:20 PM |
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Shop24-7
I love my little girl!
Member since 10/09 2026 total posts
Name:
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Posted by kspags
All the PP answered all of your questions, but I wanted to let you know if you are combining BM from different pumping sessions, you have to mix cold with cold. So you cannot mix freshly pumped BM with a bag or bottle already in the fridge. HTH!
I never knew that! I mix cold with warm all the time and never had a problem. Why can't you mix the two?
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| Posted 3/3/11 12:28 AM |
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LadyBug1209
Mommy to FOUR little men!
Member since 8/08 9655 total posts
Name:
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Posted by Shop24-7
Posted by kspags
All the PP answered all of your questions, but I wanted to let you know if you are combining BM from different pumping sessions, you have to mix cold with cold. So you cannot mix freshly pumped BM with a bag or bottle already in the fridge. HTH!
I never knew that! I mix cold with warm all the time and never had a problem. Why can't you mix the two?
Me too! 
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| Posted 3/3/11 7:34 AM |
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labonnevie
sometimes 1+1= 4 <3
Member since 8/09 3869 total posts
Name:
the lucky one
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Re: breast milk storage questions
Posted by Maria31
Posted by Shop24-7
Posted by kspags
All the PP answered all of your questions, but I wanted to let you know if you are combining BM from different pumping sessions, you have to mix cold with cold. So you cannot mix freshly pumped BM with a bag or bottle already in the fridge. HTH!
I never knew that! I mix cold with warm all the time and never had a problem. Why can't you mix the two?
Me too!
Because the warmer fresh pumped milk can 'warm' up the refrigerated milk. Before combining you should ALWAYS bring them to the same temperature.
It's the same theory as you should never put hot food in a cold refrigerator because it brings up the fridges temperature and heats up the rest of the food.
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| Posted 3/3/11 7:48 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: breast milk storage questions
at what point can you put it in the freezer?
I always froze the milk if I wasn't going to use it within 5 days. I usually waited at least 1 day before freezing it. I had quite a few storage bottles so I didn't feel the need to freeze it immediately.
i had some in the fridge for about 5 days can i put it in the freezer?
Yes. If it got to the 5 day mark, I'd just smell it to make sure it's still okay.
how long does it last inthe freezer?
It should last at least 3 months in the freezer and 6 months in a deep freezer. I've gone as long as 5 months in a regular freezer and it was fine.
Can you mix more than one feeding in the same container and then put in the freezer?
Yes. Just make sure you cool the milk off first. You don't want to add freshly expressed milk to cold milk.
can i put it directly in the freezer and not in the fridge at all?
I never did that. I thought I read that you weren't supposed to do that, but I'm not certain about that.
sorry for all the questions, but i want to start storing for when I go back to work.
oh, now what are the rules for defrosting it???
You can defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. I usually defrosted it in a bowl of lukewarm water the morning I needed it. It was still kind of slushy when I sent it to daycare, but they use a bottle warmer and it was fine by the time DS needed it. It must be used within 24 hours of defrosting.
should i just be storing in containers in the amount that he drinks at a time?
right now he takes 3 oz at a feeding, but it will probably be more by the time i go back.
I froze it mostly in 4 oz portions. I had a few smaller frozen bags. When DS started daycare, he drank 4 oz at a time. When he was drinking more, I'd just combine the frozen with some fresh milk. I always labeled the bottles. If I used frozen milk, that was the first bottle of the day. That way, I made sure the frozen milk was used.
can you defrost it but not use it all???
It needs to be used within 24 hours.
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| Posted 3/3/11 8:43 AM |
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