Storing breastmilk for dummies.......

Yes me, Im the dummy. lol.

In preperation for the next bub I am trying to be an informed as possible to make our next BFing journey a successful one.

So just pretend (well not much pretending is needed, because I have no clue lol) that I have never ever stored breastmilk before apart from the odd bottle in the fridge for DD but I only BF her for 6 weeks.

Sooooooo...... Im asking for personal experiences please, I want to know what YOU do :)

How do you store your BM in the fridge? What do you put it in?
How long can it stay in the fridge?
How do you store your BM in the freezer? What do you put it in?
How long can it stay in the freezer?
How do you defrost BM??

Thanks in advance :) Im sure there will be more questions to come :)

I need a refreser course on this too- but here is what I remember from DD
How do you store your BM in the fridge? What do you put it in? Yes in fridge but only for 24hrs? In a bottle if you will use it soon.
How long can it stay in the fridge?24hrs ??
How do you store your BM in the freezer? What do you put it in? I used to put it in little containers I had which had measurements up the side so I knew how much was there.
How long can it stay in the freezer? Some months I think...can't quite remeber
How do you defrost BM?? I don't actually remember how I used to defrost it??

I need info too :)

I'm going to start with expressing for dummies:
*unless you have a seriously premie baby or a case of thrush you don't need to sterilise expressing equipment. Wash each day in hot soapy water with a brush (pulling apart as much as you can), and dry with paper towel. Then use and put the milky bits in a big zip-bag in the fridge for next time.
Freeze bm in something like 60-80 ml lots, no more. that way 1 lot=a small feed and 2lots= a big feed, and you don't have to throw as much away.
Defrost by leaving in fridge overnight if possible, or by standing in warm water if you need a faster defrost.

I used the avent via cups for storage - they stack in the freezer and seal pretty well. They are also very useful for food later on.

A few months in the freezer - so remember to date the containers! And every month or so have a move-around-and-throw-out.

How do you store your BM in the fridge? What do you put it in? A bottle or sterile container or EBM bags

How long can it stay in the fridge? 3 - 5 days at back of fridge in coldest part

How do you store your BM in the freezer? What do you put it in? Some bottles can freeze do NOT fill only 3/4, or can get EBM bags to freeze or can freeze in ice cubes (sealed ones eg tupperware type)

How long can it stay in the freezer? 2 weeks if a freezer box inside a fridge, 3 months if freezer seperate door to fridge, 6 - 12 months deep freezer -18 degrees C.

How do you defrost BM?? Thaw in fridge can be kept for 24 hrs in fridge once defrosted can NOT be re frozen, can sit container or bag in some luke warm water to defrost use for feed or discard

Hope this helps

hey MM dont buy any EBM storage bags coz I have a pack of them unopened you can have. :)

How do you store your BM in the fridge? What do you put it in?

we got given some EBM bags, but anything which will store it airtight is fine. I've heard you can even use normal zip lock freezer bags :)

How long can it stay in the fridge?

we were told 4 days.

How do you store your BM in the freezer? What do you put it in?

storing as per fridge - but make sure you don't fill too much, because liquids expand a bit when they're frozen.

How long can it stay in the freezer?

we were told 3 months.

How do you defrost BM??

in the fridge. takes up to 1 day.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ing-ebm-20788/

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Storing, thawing & using EBM

Storage:
Breastmilk freshly expressed into a closed container can be kept at room teperature for 6–8 hrs (26ºC or lower).

If refrigeration is available store milk there 3–5 days (4ºC or lower) Store in back of refrigerator where it is coldest 2 weeks in freezer compartment inside refrigerator.

Breastmilk can be kept for 3 months in freezer section of refrigerator with separate door. Or 6–12 months in deep freeze (-18ºC or lower).

Previously frozen & thawed in refrigerator (leaving it in the fridge to thaw over night) but not warmed can be kept at room temperature 4 hours or less (ie the next feeding). Can be kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Do not refreeze.

Thawed outside refrigerator in warm water can be kept for completion of feeding. If thawed in warm water but NOT given to baby straight way can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 hours or until next feeding. Do not refreeze.

Once your baby has begun feed, breastmilk should then only be kept for completion of feeding, then discarded.

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Here is the ABA info on exressing and storing EBMABA - EBM

I also use the avent containers. If you have an avent breast pump, the containers come in a box with this attachment that allows you to express directly into the container. I think there is also an attachment that then attaches the Avent teet onto the container and you can use it as a bottle. Pretty amazing really :) We don't use Avent bottles but the storage containers have been fabulous and I highly recommend them. The only small problem with them is that I find it hard to see the volume of milk in there, but that's probably more about my bad eyesight!

I just used zip lock bags in the freezer and thawed them in warm/ hot water.

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I just used zip lock bags in the freezer and thawed them in warm/ hot water.

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Snap lock bags aren't designed to go in the freezer... There was something about that a while back. Will see if I can find info on it. But Im sure there was concern about the plastic leaching into the milk.