freezing breast milk

mossstar

I went back to work parttime when ds1 was 5 months old (my dp and i worked alternately so we were always with him) and trust me, if i'd not had the pump i'd have been in AGONY!

I was a web designer and I used to sit at my desk at my mac with one hand under my t-shirt pumping away while I worked and all my colleagues around me! they were brilliant! We had a fridge at work so I was able to transfer the milk home for my dp to feed him with.

I b/f both of mine for two years also, and they didn't even touch solids till around 8-9 months, apart from the odd gnaw! B/fing makes like so much easier and cheaper - both of mine went pretty much straight on to finger foods with none of the jars of gloop and all the rest of the stuff the "baby market" tells you you need.

Just to say that like the previous poster, I too used to find that the bags would rip in the freezer, i think her idea of tupperware is brilliant!

good luck! stick with it - it's SO worth it!

xxx

full-time-mum

There is definitely a knack to expressing. Other than the obvious getting the technique right, you have to get the triggers right too.

• For some it is hearing baby cry - try getting a tape recorder if necessary
• I sometimes found just looking at my sleeping baby was enough to get a let down - or even a photo.
• You need to be relaxed and not too stressed about it.
• You will be more successful if you go with your body's rythmn and express at the same time each day - supply and demand coming into action here, fooling your body into thinking baby is needing more.
• A friend got a let down by imagining cows being milked - worked for her so don't knock it.
• Imagining someone else expressing
• visualise the flow of milk from the nipple into the vessel and picture the vessel filling up

These are just a few I can think of now and I'm sure that others may let you into their secrets too.

It is all very personal so just try different methods and don't get too down-hearted - think of the hour or two you might be able to get yourself at the pub/nail bar/hairdresser etc.

scaredy_cat_2

i think one of the reasons people need to freeze breast milk is if they are returning to work and still want their baby to have the benefits of breast milk rather than formula - even though the milk is available every day some people want to build up a supply for when they are not there to start with or else the first day you go to work - no milk!!

I needed to do this with my first baby but not my second! so did lots of expressing first time round and then second time didn't bother with a sippy cup of milk as there was no need - i was there. I have to say that expressing was a little tricky to start with - i didn't seem to get anything but once i got the hang of it - it flowed well!!

I think someone mentioned not expressing until breastfeeding is established (can be up to 6 weeks) i think this is to do with the production of milk - so it doesnt interfere with supply - and like the dad over page (sorry forgotten name and can't go back or will lose message!!) said - it can take time i think its just a case of being relaxed and patient - i used to have a mantra for those difficult times to help both calm me and get the position etc right 'tummy to mummy - nipple to nose - open wide and in it goes!!' sounds silly but said in a calm voice it really helped!! ahh feeling all nostalgic!!

my other top tip would be IF you do happen to be sore or to help prevent after feeding rub a little milk onto nipple!

grannybroon

Not read the whole thread. With DGS1 DD expressed milk and froze in the special bags for the first few weeks, also used sterelised Avent bottles. DGS1 came for his first sleepover at about 3 1/2 months and had formula when when with us. He wasn't too keen first time with bottle but then was quite happy. Same happened with DGS2 and DD went on to breast feed until they both were a year old (latterly just morning and bedtime of course). DGSs always desperate for a breast feed after being here and on the bottles but that was more a comfort thing I think! Also DD glad of the boob relief!! All agreed it was the right thing to give DD and SIL a break and special times for us grandparents!

Hope this helps!

GB

Lillibet_2

mum2kathryn wrote:

Avent sell some 'semi-disposable' plastic tubs (called Via) which come ready sterislised, then you could sterlise yourself for further use. They also attach to their breast pump.

http://www.avent.com/uk/en/bottlefeeding_via_feeding_system.php

If you email them through their website they might send you a free sample. They are also very handy for freezing babyfood when you get to that stage.

Niki

I used these, I just sterilsed between uses. the good thing with these is that they are a good size for ice-cube amounts of food when you progress to weaning so they don't go to waste. Mine are still in use now for transporting snacks etc for my 18 month old.

Good luck with the BF, it is toe-curlingley painful at first (much more painful than giving birth IMHO!) but totally worth it if you can stick with it. Don't be too quick to try & express any milk, you need to get BF established before you get a decent yield so don't rush into it.

Guud luck;)

heather38

i use those boots bags and they are really expensive. i'm saving milk for when i go back to work as i don't want to give her formula.i use a tommee tepee pump and it's great, it takes me about 15min to get 4oz and i usually do it in the morning when i'm having a brew. (the avent pots don't fit on my pump and anyway i don't think i'd have enough room in the freezer for loads of them)
but how long should i let it defrost for before using it?
the lasinoh ones are £9.99 for 50 from blooming marvellous and there is a 10% off code and a free p&p code making them 18p each or the boots ones are 20p each

clarew

i used the ice cube tray method, and also the small tubs and bottles. just sterilised everything first! Kids now 5 and 2 and doesn't seem to have done them any harm by not using the "special bags"!!

grannybroon

Heather38

Just make sure the milk defrosts - hard to say how long. Maybe take out last thing at night and into fridge and then on top for a wee while. Once crystals have gone when shaking container, put in micro to bring up to breast milk heat - about 30 seconds and a wee bit more depending on wattage. The try on the small of the wrist to make sure not too hot still a good judge. Hope this helps.

GB

rhubarbs

https://www.kellymom.com is worth a look. I often referred to it to check on bm storage.

jopsey

I to can vouch for the via pots fab I use mine now for all kind including home made playdoh!
Im sure I have got some of them bags some where ( you know what its like with your first your must have list is sooo long ) will have a look and if i can find them will they be ok to use they are 2 years old so prob not sterile now ?