I have a standard side by side refrigerator and I am storing the milk in the freezer section by keeping it on the racks. Is that ok? Or should I put all the milk bags in some kind of a box and keep it in. What is the best way? Also how much milk did you store? Any other tips for storing.
Thanks in advance for your answers!
2006-11-25 04:54:28 · 6 answers · asked by newmomma 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If you put the bags in an airtight container they will keep slightly better as when you open and upright (as opposed to chest) freezer all the cold air goes rushes out. A container would help keep it in.
If you are planning to keep it for a long time and you do not have a chest style freezer you could consider packing the bags in loose ice if you really want to be anal.
Here is a milk calculator to help decide how much you need:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
And here are the storage guidelines:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html
However if you are pumping for regular use you will be cycling through it fast enought that it doesn't really matter.
Also the info I got from the health department said you should store milk in rigid containers. But they didn't say why and I don't really see the sense in that. Be sure to get as much air out of the bags as possible to prevent freezer burn.
2006-11-25 05:13:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I put my breast milk in the storage bags made for it and just stuck them in the door of the freezer.I don't think that putting them on the racks will hurt it any though.Just make sure you use the milk before 3 months-I think that is the limit or it can get freezer burned.
I did not pump a lot of milk because my hubby and I did not go out too much after the baby.I had probably about 3 bags of 4-6 oz. stored at a time.
2006-11-25 05:02:15 · answer #2 · answered by mama of 2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't store breast milk as long in a refrigerator freezer. If you have a deep freeze you should store it in there, it will last one year. You can just store it in the bags, that's fine - just make sure it is labeled with the date collected. As far as how much, it depends on whether you work or will work and how much. I went back to work (part time) after 5 months and had close to 200 ounces frozen (plus I pumped at work each shift). The more the better I say, I would rather have alot of back up supply "just in case"!!
2006-11-25 05:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instructions
STEP 1: Express breast milk using a breast pump.
STEP 2: Pour pumped milk into clean bottles or plastic bottle-liner bags.
STEP 3: Leave an inch at the top of the container - milk expands as it freezes.
STEP 4: Label each bottle or bag with the date.
STEP 5: Freeze milk as soon as possible after pumping, or within 24 hours.
STEP 6: Store milk in the freezer for four to six months.
Tips & Warnings
Wash hands, bottles and the parts of the breast pump that contact the breast or milk with warm, soapy water before starting.
Freeze milk in 2- to 4-oz. portions. Small portions freeze and thaw quickly.
Add newly pumped milk to already frozen milk only after the new milk is chilled.
Throw out any breast milk that has been at room temperature for more than 6 hours.
2006-11-25 04:57:56 · answer #4 · answered by stoneydork21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure...it's okay to put it on the doors.
If you were storing it in glass jars in the freezer, i would say that you should put them elsewhere because they could fling off the shelves and shatter.
Is it just me, but doesn't the freezer smell so good when there is breast milk in there? Like an ice cream factory!
2006-11-25 05:14:28 · answer #5 · answered by gg 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would store it in one of those baby bags some have little things for storing m,ilk!
2006-11-25 04:59:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋