Can you store EBM in zip lock bags?

Because Lucinda is sleeping through her middle of the night feed at times, I find myself waking up due to my breasts being so full and painful. I have expressed before and given the milk to DD2 but I am thinking that I might like to freeze it. With DD2 I used bottles to store the EBM in, but that was a bit annoying, especially if she didn't want a whole 240mls of EBM. I was thinking that those little zip lock bags would be ideal as most of the storage bags I have seen are quite expensive.

Anyone used zip lock bags before?

I put mine in ice cube trays then divide them and put in zip lock bags.

Is it ok to defrost them in boiling water or is that bad?

I used to defrost my EBM by leaving it out at room temp. I wouldn't put it in boiling water though but I would hot water. I figured as long as it didn't get hotter than body temperature than it should be fine? I'm no expert through! lol

I'm not sure if you're supposed to, but I used to. I did measure it before I put it in there though and wrote how much it was on the bag.

I froze mine in the Medela bags (for that purpose). I think Swispers makes a similar product which is heaps cheaper but I never used them. I ended up having over 20 litres in the freezer at the end! (after 4 months - I had lots of milk!) The difference between these bags and the normal zip lock bags are that the Medela bags are sterilised.

As for defrosting. I used to defrost in the bags at room temperature or to speed up the process, put it into a bath of normal tap water to defrost.

I wouldn't defrost in hot or boiling water. Also, they say that if you heat breastmilk too hot it actually kills the goodness.

Hope this helps!

I'm sure there is more information on the ABA website.

I wouldn't as they aren't sterile... And the milk is being stored in the freezer for X amount of time. (Contrary to popular belief, freezing does not stop all bacterial growth, nor does it kill bacteria, it only slows it)

I spoke to an ABA counsellor about this and apparently it is fine. If you don't have EBM bags (you can buy them at chemists etc) then this is the next best option..... when you think about it, nothing is sterile once it's been opened yeah? Even an EBM bag designed for storing breastmilk in it, once that is opened and exposed to air, then nope it's not sterile anymore..... so yeah I think this would be okay. I have spoken to lots of mum's who have done this.

I'm thinking about buying some ice cube trays with lids especially for my EBM when bub arrives.

I spoke to an ABA counsellor about this and apparently it is fine. If you don't have EBM bags (you can buy them at chemists etc) then this is the next best option..... when you think about it, nothing is sterile once it's been opened yeah? Even an EBM bag designed for storing breastmilk in it, once that is opened and exposed to air, then nope it's not sterile anymore..... so yeah I think this would be okay. I have spoken to lots of mum's who have done this.

Remember breastmilk has antibacterial properties in it :D

I'm thinking about buying some ice cube trays with lids especially for my EBM when bub arrives.

I assumed that because it is a food thing that they would be sterile. Surely they would be as sterile as regular EBM storage bags? Shanti, I think the exact same thing - once they're exposed to air, hands etc they're nto exactly sterile anymore anyway.

Thanks so much for all your help everyone :)

I have used them myself until I found out that actually the recommendation is not to use them. They might be perfectly safe but there is not enough research to know for sure. There are concerns over them not being sterile, the type of plastic (they are designed to store sandwiches and things, not liquid for a baby that chemicals might leach into), and the strength of them. As soon as I heard that I switched to the Avent resusable cups. I had previously used medela bags but they were so expensive, the cups are great because you can reuse them over and over.

A lactation constant suggested the ice cube bags and I have found them really useful. And they don't contain the BPA - none of the Glad food grade products do.