Freezing Milk in Bottles?

[runblondie26]

Can I freeze 6 oz portions in 10 oz bottles this weekend? Will the milk get freezer-burned and/or funky from the extra air in there?

We're traveling next week, and would prefer to do this so I don't have to worry about the bags possibly leaking, and messing with transferring the milk when I need it. I *think* this should be fine, but I've only heard talk about traveling with milk frozen in bags, so maybe I'm missing something.

ETA: Plus, I won't be carrying a cooler of bags while empty bottles are taking up space in my carry-on. Trying to be as efficient as possible here.    Thanks for the input. Sounds like it's a acceptable plan.

[ellipses84]

I've never tried it, although I did always pump into cheap bottles because I was worried about the bags leaking. I transfer into bags right before I freeze. How long is your trip and your travel time home? Will you be able to keep them frozen enough during travel?

[runblondie26]

Aug 12, 2016 8:32:35 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I've never tried it, although I did always pump into cheap bottles because I was worried about the bags leaking. I transfer into bags right before I freeze. How long is your trip and your travel time home? Will you be able to keep them frozen enough during travel?

It's only a 2 hr flight, and would be used up within the first 48 hours of arriving. It wouldn't be in the freezer for an extended period of time either. Whatever I pump this weekend, will be what I take on Thursday.

[soozy87]

I would guess you would be fine for that amount of time. The NICU had me freeze extra milk in 3 oz (not filled to 3 oz.) bottles during our stay there. I used them a few months later and they were fine.

[Muddled]

Yes. If you use them that quickly, I would not worry about freezer burn at all.

[Susie]

I would worry about expanding/contracting in the bottle as the milk freezes/defrosts, so I would put it in bags to freeze but set the bags inside a bottle in the freezer (instead of lying flat) so when you travel the bag is in the bottle. It doesn't solve the transferring problem, but it does solve the bag leaking problem which to me would be the bigger deal.

[runblondie26]

Aug 12, 2016 8:49:22 GMT -5 @abbycobb said:

I haven't done it and this is a random anecdote, but H's friend's wife froze all of her milk in the Medela bottles. Like they had a stand alone freezer full of frozen milk bottles - sounds so expensive! Anyways, I would think as long as you leave enough extra space for it to expand a bit you should be fine.

Oh wow! Valuable in more way than one. Those bottles are pricey!

[simpsongal]

Yup, I used to. I also had 2.5 ounce vials (they called "snappies") from the NICU for freezing small amounts of milk.

[pooh8402]

Aug 12, 2016 8:49:22 GMT -5 @abbycobb said:

I haven't done it and this is a random anecdote, but H's friend's wife froze all of her milk in the Medela bottles. Like they had a stand alone freezer full of frozen milk bottles - sounds so expensive! Anyways, I would think as long as you leave enough extra space for it to expand a bit you should be fine.

Well that's just a waste of money and space imo.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Up and Up bags from Target. Similar to Lansinoh in design, but made of a thicker plastic. No leaks ever, and they're cheaper. And if you're really worried about leaks, you can put the milk bags in larger ziploc baggies.