How much do we need to have as a freezer stash?

[captain optimism]

I think it might help my friends' sick baby if I donate a small amount of our freezer stash to them. they are having some breastfeeding issues, and may have to supplement. they would like to use only her pumped milk, but she isn't sure how much she will get. I have "a cushion" of frozen pumped milk. But my son is still nursing and still gets a lot of pumped milk when I'm away at work.

I can't believe I am really thinking of doing this! I had a lot of anxiety earlier this year trying to get my freezer stash up so I wouldn't run out of milk. Wow.

But things have changed. My son eats more solids, he nurses more at night, and crucially, I'm working at home two days a week for the next four months.

Your thoughts are appreciated.


ETA: we have nine or ten 3.5 to 4 oz feedings in the freezer. So not a huge cushion.

[Quirky]

I think that's a very, very generous thought on your part, especially given your past history!

What's the expiration date on your pumped stash? One thing you might think of is whether you can pump a little extra to replace what you've got and rotate out some of the older milk, which might otherwise go to waste if you have to toss it in a couple of months.

How often do you dip into the stash? Do you use it often, or is it just there from months ago?

I know how hard it is to let go of that security blanket - I had big supply and nursing problems and every ounce in the freezer was a triumph. Then our power went out and I had to throw it all away (but I had left my job by that point so it was OK). It was a big lesson in letting go.

Maybe give her a bag or two and then see how things are going? Also, can you spare an ounce or two from your daily pumpings? It seems to me if she got the fresh stuff that would be the best for her, since she's such a little baby.

[eilonwy]

I'm not sure about your stash; that's not a lot of a cushion. But, if you started eating more oatmeal and maybe pumping an extra time each day, you could probably have enough to donate to your friend. It's a very sweet thought I always wanted to donate milk, because I had scary amounts of it, but now I'm pregnant and have no freezer. We'll see what happens after the baby comes, though .