Breast milk storage, freezing and thawing?

Question

How long can it last frozen?

How do you thaw it?

And...

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2324375#prod_prodinfo

If you put it in those bags, couldn't you then put it in a playtex drop in bottle (I read that they're compatible) to let it thaw out, so it doesn't leak like some mothers said in the reviews they did?

And if I use those, would I really need the playtex drop in bags? (Assuming I'm exclusively using breast milk)

Answer 1

In the regular freezer about 4 months. . .in a deep freezer about a year.  I use an ice cube tray, each cube holds 1 oz, then pop them out when they freeze and store in a freezer bag.  If I know I will need them for the day I leave them in the fridge the night before to defrost otherwise I put them in the bottle or a glass (you could use the Playtex bags) and drop them in warm water.

Answer 2

They do leak, its not just when you thaw it out. sometimes they leak when you put it in the freezer to be frozen. I would highly recommend The first years bags, or the  Lansinoh bags. They are better quality.

Answer 3

Breast milk in the freezer lasts 3 months.  I have used Dr. Brown's storage bags to store the milk which worked well for me.  I have been taking the milk from the freezer and left in the refridgerator overnight to thaw. After the milk is thaw out,  I kept in a container with warm water. I poured the milk into the playtex dropins and have been feeding the baby.  I didn't have a mess so far.  It works well.

Answer 4

I use Medela Pump & Save breastmilk bags...you can pump directly into the bag, freeze for up to 2-3 months, it thaws in about 30 min. or less at room temperature or in warm water faster. I haven't had any leaking problems, and no, I don't think you need the drop in a bottle kind if you're not using it for every feeding anyway.

Answer 5

*How long can it last frozen?

In a separate freezer compartment connected to your refrigerator that is opened frequently for 3-4 months. In a deep freezer for 6 (0 degrees C) to 12(-19 degrees C) months.

*How do you thaw it?

You can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and it can stay in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. You can also thaw the frozen milk in warm

(not too hot, hot water can destroy some of the good properties) water but this is only good for 4 hours.

I copied this from a Medela flyer that came with my breast pump: "After warming frozen milk, some experts recommend that any milk not consumed within an hour be discarded. There have been no reports of harm if the milk is refrigerated, re-warmed and used within a few hours. Check with your doctor."

*Gerber bags.

I bought 2 boxes of these bags. During 8 (out of 50) pumping sessions I went to open the bag to put the milk in and the zipper snap thing broke! Not a good thing. And I'm not that rough.

I'm pretty sure you can use any bag with the playtex drop ins. I've used the Lansinoh bags. They are amazing! They have a double zipper and are very thick. The bags do not stick together in the freezer either.  Target is the cheapest place I've been able to find them.

*Thawing the milk using the Playtex Drop Ins

I freeze my breastmilk flat because it's easier for me to thaw it that way... Once you freeze it, unless you thaw it, it would be too hard to open the bag and put it in the drop in. I don't know if freezing it standing up would work..If cost is not an issue you can freeze some water in a bag and try to figure out what works best. You can thaw the bag and refreeze it and keep playing with it until you figure out what works best.

Answer 6

I used the Medela breast milk storage containers. I found that once I used the bags I had to double bag them and then sometimes they would burst when I went to thaw them out. The storage containers I found at Babies-R-Us and were GREAT! I had the Medela breast pump and it just screwed onto the bottom and they came in the perfect 2 ounce size. I thawed out the breast milk by running under some warm water, and I used the drop in pre formed liners which made it easy for me to get a bottle ready for the baby. As for the length of time the milk can be frozen I am not sure, it never stayed in the freezer long enough.  

Answer 7

I've heard the gerber milk storage bags are best because they stand up so you can fill them and have a good lock.  There are more reviews here:

http://www.mother-2-mother.com/storemilk...

No you don't need drop ins but they are really cheap and its probably worth having a box around just in case you need them (bag rips, whatever).

How long milk can stay frozen depends on the kind of freezer.  however you should use refrigerated milk whenever possible.  Frozen milk looses a lot of its immunological factors.

The best guidelines and links are here:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milks...