How do you store breastmilk?

[mrslefty]

How do you store it in your freezer and fridge? I've just been tossing them in there but our freezer is small so I need to be more organized. 

[jennlin]

omg. i need a better format. i know how you're *supposed* to do it..and then there's me...i throw them in haphazardly. it's bad.

[jennlin]

take a paper bag, and cut a slit at the bottom. fill milk in bags and lay flat. the oldest milk will be at the bottom, you can pull it out from the bottom for easier dispensing.

[jennlin]

freeze flat, then store like this. oldest in back.

[mrslefty]

Hmmm I think a pop can box would fit best in our freezer...might try that out. Seriously now that I have a good pump I actually get enough to store. It's amazing what a good pump will do.

[jennlin]

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 10:36:19 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Hmmm I think a pop can box would fit best in our freezer...might try that out. Seriously now that I have a good pump I actually get enough to store. It's amazing what a good pump will do.

i didn't know you were having pump issues--- what kind did you have what kind do you use now? how did you know it was an issue with a pump?

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 10:37:14 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 10:36:19 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Hmmm I think a pop can box would fit best in our freezer...might try that out. Seriously now that I have a good pump I actually get enough to store. It's amazing what a good pump will do.

i didn't know you were having pump issues--- what kind did you have what kind do you use now? how did you know it was an issue with a pump?

So a friend gave me her two unused pumps (shoulda been my first clue) an ameda purely yours and a medela swing. I tried both and the ameda hurt even on a low setting with the correct size flanges plus the suction was...weird compared to the medela.  Like sharp pulls. I don't like it. 
So the swing works pretty well, it's just a single though and not as powerful because it's battery powered. It will have its uses but the pump in style? I can be done in about 10 minutes on the very lowest setting. 

[shevacc]

G would never take frozen milk. So although I had some I pretty much just gave her refrigerated milk that I had pumped a few days before. Sigh. But I tried to at least freeze flat. I never got myself a fancy system to keep the milk contained/organized.

[mrslefty]

These pics are making me realize how badly I need to clean out my freezer...

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 10:43:58 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

These pics are making me realize how badly I need to clean out my freezer...

haha you should SEE my freezer. it's so bad. which is why i must throw haphazardly...wherever there is room.

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 10:42:31 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Jul 30, 2014 10:37:14 GMT -5 jennlin said:

i didn't know you were having pump issues--- what kind did you have what kind do you use now? how did you know it was an issue with a pump?

So a friend gave me her two unused pumps (shoulda been my first clue) an ameda purely yours and a medela swing. I tried both and the ameda hurt even on a low setting with the correct size flanges plus the suction was...weird compared to the medela.  Like sharp pulls. I don't like it. 
So the swing works pretty well, it's just a single though and not as powerful because it's battery powered. It will have its uses but the pump in style? I can be done in about 10 minutes on the very lowest setting. 

hmm interesting. i'm still using my "old" avent pump from bjl..i got a new one, cause the old one had a leaky tube, and the warranty gave me a brand new pump for it....i only used this one for about 2 or 3 months before putting it in storage. i got a new medela from insurance, and am wondering if i should open the box.  i have no supply issues, but always wonder "what if".

what was the difference in your oz output?

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 11:02:27 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 10:42:31 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

So a friend gave me her two unused pumps (shoulda been my first clue) an ameda purely yours and a medela swing. I tried both and the ameda hurt even on a low setting with the correct size flanges plus the suction was...weird compared to the medela.  Like sharp pulls. I don't like it. 
So the swing works pretty well, it's just a single though and not as powerful because it's battery powered. It will have its uses but the pump in style? I can be done in about 10 minutes on the very lowest setting. 

hmm interesting. i'm still using my "old" avent pump from bjl..i got a new one, cause the old one had a leaky tube, and the warranty gave me a brand new pump for it....i only used this one for about 2 or 3 months before putting it in storage. i got a new medela from insurance, and am wondering if i should open the box.  i have no supply issues, but always wonder "what if".

what was the difference in your oz output?

After he eats I was getting about 3oz in 20 minutes. Now it's 4 oz in 10ish.  

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 11:30:43 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Jul 30, 2014 11:02:27 GMT -5 jennlin said:

hmm interesting. i'm still using my "old" avent pump from bjl..i got a new one, cause the old one had a leaky tube, and the warranty gave me a brand new pump for it....i only used this one for about 2 or 3 months before putting it in storage. i got a new medela from insurance, and am wondering if i should open the box.  i have no supply issues, but always wonder "what if".

what was the difference in your oz output?

After he eats I was getting about 3oz in 20 minutes. Now it's 4 oz in 10ish.  

10 mins one side, or both? since you said you only have a single now.

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 11:40:36 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 11:30:43 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

After he eats I was getting about 3oz in 20 minutes. Now it's 4 oz in 10ish.  

10 mins one side, or both? since you said you only have a single now.

Both. The pump in style is a double.  The other medela I have is a single so it was really like 40 minutes to get 3 oz but I didn't think that was fair to compare a single to a double. 

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 11:49:45 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Jul 30, 2014 11:40:36 GMT -5 jennlin said:

10 mins one side, or both? since you said you only have a single now.

Both. The pump in style is a double.  The other medela I have is a single so it was really like 40 minutes to get 3 oz but I didn't think that was fair to compare a single to a double. 

gotcha. that's way worth it then!

[dana86]

The little bit that I did pump and freeze I have stacked on the shelf of the door in the freezer. Oldest in the front so I grab it first and the newest batch in the back. I only have about 7 or 8 bags though

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 10:43:36 GMT -5 shevacc said:

G would never take frozen milk. So although I had some I pretty much just gave her refrigerated milk that I had pumped a few days before. Sigh. But I tried to at least freeze flat. I never got myself a fancy system to keep the milk contained/organized.

Crap, this is a thing?  I should probably test that out before I leave him alone...

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 15:13:36 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Jul 30, 2014 10:43:36 GMT -5 shevacc said:

G would never take frozen milk. So although I had some I pretty much just gave her refrigerated milk that I had pumped a few days before. Sigh. But I tried to at least freeze flat. I never got myself a fancy system to keep the milk contained/organized.

Crap, this is a thing?  I should probably test that out before I leave him alone...

yes, refrigerated milk, can be a thing, too. so be sure you test all avenues!

kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 15:15:48 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 15:13:36 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Crap, this is a thing?  I should probably test that out before I leave him alone...

yes, refrigerated milk, can be a thing, too. so be sure you test all avenues!

kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/

He'll take refrigerated milk because he gets an ounceish each day with vitamin d in it or else he just spits the vitamins out lol. AN ounce is the least we can do and some days we have to add more because apparently the vitamin tastes like death.  

[shevacc]

I don't think it was a lipase issue for me/G, since refrigerated milk was fine. But maybe? I never figured that one out, but every time I tried to send previously frozen milk to daycare (I defrosted it overnight in the fridge for them) she would refuse it. I hope you don't have that problem (and my next child doesn't either for that matter)!

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 15:19:14 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

Jul 30, 2014 15:15:48 GMT -5 jennlin said:

yes, refrigerated milk, can be a thing, too. so be sure you test all avenues!

kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/

He'll take refrigerated milk because he gets an ounceish each day with vitamin d in it or else he just spits the vitamins out lol. AN ounce is the least we can do and some days we have to add more because apparently the vitamin tastes like death.  

are you use the poly-vi-sol?

try this one instead
www.amazon.com/Carlson-Super-Daily-fl-oz-10-6ml/dp/B003BVIBNS

it's a billion times cheaper, and has no additives. the enfamil brand of poly vi sol has sugar, color, flavor, and i think alcohol, too..so avoid that one if you aren't already avoiding it.

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 15:44:07 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 15:19:14 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

He'll take refrigerated milk because he gets an ounceish each day with vitamin d in it or else he just spits the vitamins out lol. AN ounce is the least we can do and some days we have to add more because apparently the vitamin tastes like death.  

are you use the poly-vi-sol?

try this one instead
www.amazon.com/Carlson-Super-Daily-fl-oz-10-6ml/dp/B003BVIBNS

it's a billion times cheaper, and has no additives. the enfamil brand of poly vi sol has sugar, color, flavor, and i think alcohol, too..so avoid that one if you aren't already avoiding it.

Thanks!

[toratoratori]

I am in love with this thread.

[jennlin]

Jul 30, 2014 16:08:22 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

I am in love with this thread.

and THAT's the goal of this board. thank you mrslefty for a great topic!


lots of info for your very near future toratoratori

[mrslefty]

Jul 30, 2014 16:24:36 GMT -5 jennlin said:

Jul 30, 2014 16:08:22 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

I am in love with this thread.

and THAT's the goal of this board. thank you mrslefty for a great topic!


lots of info for your very near future toratoratori

Ha ha ha. I was going to say "this is why I need this board" in response to your vitamin knowledge but was one handed typing on my phone. ..thanks to the little piggy boy. ..so thanks was all you got. 

[mrslefty]

Also I have more questions but I'm going to spread them out. None are life threatening so I'll do my best to get things hopping over here.

[shevacc]

Thanks for the Vit-D rec jennlin! I didn't know that either and both di-vi-sol and poly-vi-sol taste gross. I'll order the other one for winter time...we don't worry about Vit D in the summer as much since she's outside so much.