Breastmilk bottle feeding question?

Question

Can you store milk from both breasts in the same bottle or the same freezer bag? Also, can you take breastmilk that has already been in the fridge and instead freeze it?

Answer 1

Yes and yes.

I pump because I work full time. I will often take expressed milk that has been in the fridge overnight and then freeze it. Make sure that you 'swirl' it up to integrate the fats in the milk with the more liquid portion before pouring it into the bag.

You can absolutely combine milk from both breasts, I mean, it came from the same place, right?

Good luck! You're doing an awesome job feeding your child breastmilk in any form.

Answer 2

It is very possible to pump and bottle feed. Many moms in the NICU do it for months because the baby is too sick to breastfeed. Here are the keys: Within the first 12 hours after birth star pumping evey 2 hours on each side or double pump for at least 15-20 mins. Pump at night too. You may not see anything in the pumps bottles at first this is normal . Use a double HOSPITAL GRADE pump. For this kind of pumping you can't use the over the counter type pump. You must rent or buy the hospital grade type (cost $300-1000, rent $40-60mo) . Get your pump supplies in the hospital they will be charge to your insuranse, which may also pay for some of the pump rental. Once the milk is in , around 2-3 days, continue to pump each side every 2-3 hours for 20 mins or pump until the breast empties or slows in output, then add on 2 minutes for extra stimulation. You must pump at night too. A minimum milk supply is 350ml, optimal would be more like 650-750 so you have extra. This type of feeding takes a great commitment and as other have said, it is difficult to keep up. Breastfeeding is easier ( after the break in period), cleaner, and the fresh milk has immune properties that may be damaged during freezing (though many remain even when frozen. Formula has none of these!) When you save your milk label it with the date and put it in approved bags for freezing breastmilk (medela has great bags for this). It is good for 3mo in the regular freezer. When heating never microwave and never shake vigorously, this destroys immune cells. Breastfeeding is the first choice, human milk fed artificially second, then formula as a last resort. Breast milk is a gift only you can give. There are so many studies about better brain growth, less sickness, protection from obesity, allergies, cancer, diabetes and heart disease all from breastmilk. Cleaning and strerilizing bottles and pump equiptment gets tedious. Pumping like this is often unsuccessful because many are not able to keep the energy up to do what is needed to make it work while taking care of a new baby, but it can be done .

Answer 3

Storing milk from both breasts together is perfectly fine.

Fresh milk, refrigerated, lasts up to 8 days. If you want to freeze it, just let it cool first in the fridge then transfer it to the freezer where it will keep for 3-6 months (a separate freezer in a fridge/freezer combo). Thawed milk, however, should not be refrozen.

You can get a nice factsheet detailing the do's and don'ts of milk storage at the kellymom link listed below.

Answer 4

Yes you can put milk from both breast in the same freezer bag or bottle. And it depends on how long the milk was in the fridge and whether or not it was already frozen or not. If it was frozen and then thawed, I would not freeze it again. If it sat in the fridge for more than 24 hours I would not freeze it either. Congrats on the new baby!

Answer 5

I am so glad to hear that someone is breast feeding. I am going to try my hardest to breastfeed my son when he is born. I don't see why you couldn't store milk from both breasts in the same freezer bags. And milk from the fridge to the freezer seems okay too, it would be the same as taking a bottle of water out of the fridge to the freezer right?

Answer 6

You can combine milk from both breasts. You should only store milk in the refrigerator for 72 hours. You can freeze the milk as long as it has never been previously frozen. Once you thaw the milk, use it within a day. Before you load the bags/bottles with milk, try to think of how much your baby eats at a time - since you'll not want to keep reheating milk for him/her, try to fill the bags with just a little more than you would need for one serving. I know this can be a pain but its worth it. Keep up the great job! Nursing is challenging but its definitely worth it. (I work full-time and have kept up breastfeeding for 8+ months since going back.)

Answer 7

Yes to storing from both breasts in one bottle or bag, as long as you don't have an infection (you know if you did) in either one. As far as freezing the milk that's been in the fridge, I *think* you can as long as it's not been previously frozen. Check with a lactation consultant about that one, though.

Answer 8

Yes you can freeze breast milk from both breast in the same freezer bag also use it in the same bottle. It depends on how long you had the breast milk in the refrigerator in order to put it in the freezer. Once you unthaw breast milk you cannot put it back in the freezer. I'm glad to see that you are breast feeding. There are many pluses in breast feeding. I breast fed 2 of my babies and they are very smart. Good luck with it and be patient.

Answer 9

First question - absolutely!

Second - I'm not sure but you have to be very careful - breastmilk only keeps in the fridge for 24 hours maximum. You're generally advised to freeze as soon as you've expressed.

I don't freeze my milk so not sure.

Answer 10

Yes you can store both sides in one bottle or bag. Yes you can if it has not been in the fridge for 24 hours.