Pumped and frozen breastmilk....

I feel so silly asking this, and that I should know, but I am so unclear on this.  I would like to pump as well as nurse and keep a small supply frozen.  That way, should I need to be away from the house during feeding time for some reason, DH can take care of our son.  Also, if I need to be out with the baby for any extended period of time, I can feed him breastmilk from a bottle (I just can't get comfortable with idea of publicly nursing...).  First question is, how long can I safely store breastmilk in the freezer?  It's important to me that he still be getting the nutrition he needs from it, so I worry that it will either lose it's nutritional value, or "go bad" and make him ill.  Second question...do you need to heat pumped breastmilk (not frozen).  Last question, do you just allow frozen breastmilk to thaw, or is it safe to thaw it in the microwave, and if so, should it be at room temperature.  Sorry, these are probably dumb questions, but I want to make sure I do this correctly.  Thanks so much, the advice I have been given here has been great, and I really appreciate it.

[tiredbuthappy]

Fresh breastmilk is the best. Milk that's been in the fridge is next best, followed by frozen milk. However, frozen milk is still superior to formula, so don't worry about feeding milk that has been frozen. The only thing that is lost when frozen is some of the immunological and antibiotic properties (properties that formula doesn't have anyways). The nutrition is the same.

Breastmilk storage guidelines (varies from person to person since our milk is different, and varies due to type of fridge/freezer). My LC said not to worry too much about feeding a baby spoiled milk, because a baby would refuse spoiled milk. Plus, as long as it doesn't smell bad it's good.

At room temp, milk is good for at least 5 hours. Seems mine is good for at least 10. i didn't realize i forgot to tell the sitter to put fresh milk in the fridge after 4 hours!! The baby was taking it fine. I knew it was good at least 10-12 hrs overnight when the room temp is cool, had no idea it held up during the day too. I take full advantage of fresh milk's shelf life. We keep 2 ounces I pump at 9 PM next to my bed and feed it when she stirs btw 4am and 5 am. That way I don't have to pump or warm bottles. I pump at work at 12:30 and keep it in my bag at room temp so she has fresh milk for 2 feeds when I get home. It's convenient for when you're going out as well. I am a bit more liberal about handling fresh milk than others and haven't had a problem. The guidelines say to toss a started bottle after an hour. I go up to an hour and half with no problems.

In the fridge, they say 3-5 days. I try to freeze by 3 days, but will serve milk that's 5. I toss anything not consumed within an hour of warming. You can technically serve it cold, although many babies won't take it cold.

In the freezer- if you have a deep freezer, it's good 6-12 months. Freezer on top of fridge- 3-6 months. Keep it in the back so there's not much temperature fluctuation as you open and close the door.

Thawing breastmilk-
Previously frozen breastmilk should be consumed within 24 hours of being thawed. Once warmed, it should be used within an hour. NEVER microwave breastmilk. Always thaw in water. You can run hot water over it, or submerge it in hot water (I used a deli container). The downside is to those 2 methods is that you have to use all the milk immediately. So instead, i used to place the bags in the fridge. If you need a relatively quick thaw, put a container of cool water in the fridge and submerge the bag of milk. It thaws very quickly (an hour or 2) while staying cool so you can pour out portions. I did learn to place the milk bag into a ziplock when thawing, as i have had many bags leak during the thawing process. Some brands are more leak-prone than others. and it seems some batches of bags from the same company had a flaw.

your milk will separate at room temp, in the fridge, and in the freezer. To mix the layers, gently swirl. Do not shake breastmilk.

When I was still nursing, I never had to use milk from the freezer when I went out. I was always able to pump enough for when I was out, or if i knew in advance that I was going to be out for more than a feed, I'd save milk in the fridge. It's not that I wasn't willing to nurse in public- my baby and I just could physically do it.

let me know if you have any other questions!!!!

[prevatt77]

The above post said it all.  Only thing I would recommend it when you freeze your bm, if you will be using the bm freezer bags, when you place them in the freezer, lay the bag down flat.  I stored mine sitting up and it took up way too much room.  I have to agree, I NEVER pulled any frozen milk out of my freezer for Gavin, as long as I was nursing and pumping, he was fine and he never took formula, and he will be 13 months and still drinking breastmilk.

[PamelaBee]

For proper breastmilk storage/serving guidelines go to www.medela.com or google breastmilk storage guidelines it will all be there for you.  I was so overwhelmed with this process in my first pregnancy...I didn't know anything!  I was just amazed when I pumped for the first time and saw milk trickling into the bottle...Ken and I were like WOW....THAT came out of THAT!  : )  It just blew our minds! LOL  I remember calling my LC ALOT, and went online to reference...did you buy a breast pump yet?  Also, when you are in the hospital, before you are discharged, you should get a few pamphlets and handouts on bfing and the safe practices....I'm gonna book that cruise soon girl!  

[prevatt77]

Pam,

Count me in on the cruise too please ;o)

[PamelaBee]

You got it Debbie!

[Diane1003]

I'd also keep in mind when you freeze milk to put it in the back of the freezer and thaw stuff that's been in there longer. When my son switched to whole milk we were empting out the freezer and found milk that was SEVERAL months old - like 11...

[adgal]

Thanks so much for all the info, you have no idea how much this helps.  This is another post I will print out for my fridge.  This is all much more complicated then I thought it would be...lol.  

Pamela..yes, I bought a pump.  You cannot really buy the actual "hospital grade" pumps, but a friend of a friend who is a neonatal care nurse recommended this brand.  We shall see I guess.  

Debbie & Pamela....I am thinking next Jan perhaps?  And please tell me we are doing Caribbean!!!  All I need is a pool, warm weather and perhaps a margeritha???  lol