Freezing BM Questions...

Hi ladies, I've only been storing BM in the fridge but lately I've had extra and had to throw it away and you know how painful that is so I want to start freezing a bit. Q's for ya - I think I am going to Freeze in these Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags - is that the way you do it - would you suggest freezing it differently?

Do I just pump into the bottle and then pour from bottle to bag or do I have to figure out how to pump into the bag?

Can I only freeze freshly expressed never fridged BM or can I take BM that has been in the fridge a few days and freeze?

How do you store the bags in the freezer? Do you put them in something?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated - I'm paranoid about being sterile and not doing anything that could get my baby sick as I am sure all you mommies are. TIA

Re: Freezing BM Questions...

What i was told was you pump like you normally would. then put in bags about 2oz in each bag or more if you want. Im going to do about 2oz that way it goes further. then put in freezer, just make sure date on bag.

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my bff told me that I should register for this, so that way when I express my milk and put it in the bags, I could put it directly in the freezer.... and i believe that it must be fresh milk...

Milk storage in freezer

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lay the bags flat in the freezer, they take up less space that way...

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Thanks ladies. Bumping for more input. Thanks.

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I froze mine in the Lansinoh bags. Pumped into the bottle and then poured into the bag.

I believe you CAN freeze milk that's been refrigerated. They say fresh is better, but as long as the milk in the fridge is okay to give the baby, it's okay to freeze (there's nothing worse than having to throw out BM!! ).

I put the bags in a plastic container for convenience purpose, but I don't think it's necessary. Also, as someone already suggested, freeze the bags so they're flat - takes up less space.

And definitely put the date (as I'm sure you know). You can combine from different pump sessions as well, just always put the earliest date on the bag (which goes for refrigeration as well).

Hope that helps!

Re: Freezing BM Questions...

I started pumping into and freezing in the small medela 2.5 oz bottles from the hospital (you can also buy them at BRU)...but you can also pump directly into a bag and freeze it that way. The medela bags have a tape type thing that wraps around the breast sheild to hold it in place...which I though would be more annoying but once I got used to it, it was fine. Not sure if the lansinoh ones have that tape thing...if not just pump into a bottle than transfer into a bag.

I've freezed BM that has been in the fridge for 2 days. BM is good in the fridge for a few days (4-6 days depending on the source) so I think it would be OK to freeze before it goes bad.

You can either lay the bags down or stand them upright in the freezer, mine are upright b/c I don't have that many...but I've heard that if your going to lay them down either be extra careful that the bag is completely sealed or put them in a big ziploc to avoid leakage.

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Thanks ladies! So you think it would be ok if I just pump into the bottle, pour into the bag and store the bag in a ziploc bag lying flat in the freezer?

I have these plastic barrel looking container things and I wasn't sure if I should be using something like that.

Thanks again!

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i pump into the the Medela bottles than i pour into the lasinoh or gerber bags about 3-4 oz each bag.

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Do I just pump into the bottle and then pour from bottle to bag or do I have to figure out how to pump into the bag?

I don't like pumping in the bags (Medella or lansinoh). I pump in the bottles then transfer to bags if I want to freeze some. I like measuring first. I feel the bags' oz writing is not as accurate.

Can I only freeze freshly expressed never fridged BM or can I take BM that has been in the fridge a few days and freeze?

If you plan on freezing, it is adviced (from what I read) to do it right away. Just let it cool a little first.

How do you store the bags in the freezer? Do you put them in something?

Upright in the freezer door. You can also store them flat. Just make sure it sealed well.

Re: Freezing BM Questions...

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by vegalady

i pump into the the Medela bottles than i pour into the lasinoh or gerber bags about 3-4 oz each bag.

Do you put the bags into the freezer alone or do you put them in something? TIA

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i put the bags into the freezer alone.

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Thanks ladies you are all so helpful! I swear I would be lost without this site!

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I pump directly into these medela bags, label and freeze

Message edited 11/1/2007 2:07:59 PM.