pumping and storing question...

my daughter is almost 4 weeks old, and I will be going back to work in a few weeks and want to start stock piling milk.  I have been pumping after I feed her, and have only been getting a few oz. at a time.  Can I store that milk in the fridge, and then add more milk to the bags later in the day before freezing?

Also is there any tricks to building my milk supply so I can still feed Ashlynn and be able to pump more milk?

Thanks!

[AHP84]

I think it's safe to add milk to previously pumped, chilled milk in less than 12 hours. Hopefully one of the other ladies can give you a more definite answer on that, though.

Things you can do to increase your supply is to pump for about 10 minutes or more after breastfeeding, and/or pump every 2-3 hours.

You can also take or eat (to name a few):
-Fenugreek
-Brewer's Yeast
-Alfalfa
-Blessed thistle
-eat whole grain oatmeal (or "old fashioned" oatmeal)
-Anise
-Fennel
-Flax

[bluegenie2003]

Its fine to add milk to milk already chilled, just not to milk already frozen. I've had to do that a few times.
Its good to get somewhat of a supply, but I'm assuming you'll be pumping at work, right?  I was really worried about having enough milk stored up, got about 40 bags or so, then had to have surgery so used them all up a week before going back to work.  However, what I didn't think about was that during the work day when I'd pump, I'd get much more. I was only getting 2 or 3 ounces when I'd pump after feeding Braeden, if that much. But at work, I'm getting 8-10 ounces most of the time each pumping session. So most of the time you' ll be able to use what you pump each day for the next day. Also, my biggest tip for increasing what you're able to pump, is DON"T watch the bottle!  I was doing that, and stressing about how much milk I'd get, and my milk would stop.  If I do work on the computer while I pump, then I'm not thinking (aka worrying) about it, and tend to get MUCH more.  There's a website called workandpump that shows you how to pump hands free with just a rubber band. It actually does work!  I have to hold them for the first 30 seconds or so, until the suction builds up, but then I can work and pump at the same time.  Good luck!

[tiredbuthappy]

A few ounces in each session after nursing is very impressive!

You CAN add to the milk in the fridge. However, you should chill the fresh milk before combining the 2. If you chill before combining, I'd say you can even put milk from 2 different days together. If you don't chill it first, you are partly warming the older milk when you combine them, which can harm some of the more beneficial properties of milk and shorten it's shelf life. It won't ruin the milk, but you want to get the most out of it!

[malteaser14]

U can't mix 2days expressed milk together as expressed milk needs to be used or frozen within 24hrs! The rest of the previous post is correct tho :) when expressing milk after feeds the baby isn't getting the watery fluid at the start of their feed. This isn't a problem, as long as u remember on very hot days ur baby can get dehydreted. U can resolve this by giving her a couple of ounces of cooled boiled water.
Also if u r expressing in work u might find a cooler bag with ice blocks helpful to keep ur milk cold :)

[bluegenie2003]

Refridgerated millk only has to be used within 24 hours if it was previously frozen and has been defrosted.  If it is fresh expressed milk that you have put straight into the fridge then it can be stored longer. Here's what they say from la leche league (who if anyone knows about breastmilk/feeding, they do!)

Storage Guidelines
All milk should be dated before storing. Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool fresh milk in the refrigerator before adding it to previously frozen milk.

Preferably, human milk should be refrigerated or chilled right after it is expressed. Acceptable guidelines for storing human milk are as follows. Store milk:

at room temperature (66-78°F, 19-26°C) for 4 hours (ideal), up to 6 hours (acceptable) (Some sources use 8 hours)
in a refrigerator (<39°F, <4°C) for 72 hours (ideal); up to 8 days (acceptable)
in a freezer (-0.4 to -4°F, -18 to -20°C) for 6 months (ideal) up to 12 months (acceptable)

[malteaser14]

Omg! My midwives so lied to me!!!