DCP defrosted all my milk

[neonalee]

It seems like common sense to me, but we weren't clear in our communication about the milk we were giving her. Plus, I have os so this doesn't hurt us at all. I'm just a little annoyed. Gave DCP about 12 or 14 oz of pumped milk from the last 2 days to feed DS her first day of daycare. Also gave 7 bags of 2 oz each of frozen pumped milk to be kept in her freezer in case of need. She used the unfrozen milk and 2 of the frozen. The other 5 were sent home defrosted. In her defense we told her not to freeze the unused milk to just send it home with us, because normally she freezes anything unused (I think at the end of the day). I did not specifically say to put the frozen in her freezer. /rant

Anyway - what should I do with the 10 oz of frozen milk? Should I dump it? Again, though I hate to waste it, it doesn't really hurt my stash any (I've got about 25 oz in the freezer right now). Should DP bottle feed them tonight/tomorrow and I pump for the freezer? I guess if he's bottle feeding it will be easier for me to pump for Monday, not that it's THAT hard for me to do so anyway.

Opinions?

[HoneybeeWaterfall]

Personally, since you say your stash is adequate I would just pour it out and let it go. With my first I pumped til 18mos for a variety of reasons and much of that ended up poured out in the end (it was still worth it).

I recently learned on kellymom.com that refrigerated bm up to 7 days old is preferable to frozen bm because it retains some of the properties that freezing kills (I am paraphrasing - check it out yourself). So I would not give the thawed stuff to DS just so you can pump more for your stash. Of course if the state of your stash was causing you anxiety that would be different.

I find the combo of bf goals and dcps to be challenging under the best of circumstances so it is a relief to know that your ds will make it work even if your freezer stash runs low (they can get by with a couple lighter days if needed). If you haven't checked out kellymom.com yet, I would suggest it. It is such a great resource.

[PatioGardener]

I'd keep it, and if it tastes good on Monday I'd send it to day care. I'm big on tasting to see if it is OK - the guidelines are just that, guidelines.

[CheriK]

The newest guidelines say that previously frozen milk that's been stored in the fridge can be re-frozen. So maybe refreeze w/ a note on the bag to use first & check before use? I think the guidelines still say that once it's been defrosted, if you keep in the fridge, it should be used w/in 24 hours, but I know we've kept and used milk for longer than that (if it's been defrosted but not offered to baby). If it smells and tastes okay, it's likely to be fine to feed to your baby. The biggest concern would be loss of nutrients (the longer it's stored, or the more state changes it goes through - i.e. fridge to freezer to fridge to freezer to fridge - the more loss).

Personally, I wouldn't pump and have your DH bottlefeed. Your baby needs to reconnect with you after being in daycare. Your body needs "real" milk removal to maintain your supply. And, pumping just isn't much fun!

It also sounds like your CP might be feeding more than necessary - 18 oz over an 8-10 hour? separation seems like a LOT to me, especially if you nursed right before dropping your LO off and right after pick-up. Maybe go over expectations of how much a breastfed baby is expected to eat, and soothing techniques that don't involve feeding. Pumping might be easy now and your freezer stash might be adequate, but if CP is consistently using frozen milk beyond what you pump, that will quickly be an issue!

[neonalee]

Originally Posted by CheriK

It also sounds like your CP might be feeding more than necessary - 18 oz over an 8-10 hour? separation seems like a LOT to me, especially if you nursed right before dropping your LO off and right after pick-up. Maybe go over expectations of how much a breastfed baby is expected to eat, and soothing techniques that don't involve feeding. Pumping might be easy now and your freezer stash might be adequate, but if CP is consistently using frozen milk beyond what you pump, that will quickly be an issue!

Yes, this is a concern of mine too. Today was the first day and I'm unclear of how much he actually consumed. I told her we fed on demand and not on a schedule and she said that's what she was doing. (She also said more than a couple times how she had to hold him all day because every time she put him in the crib he would cry I knew that would happen and it's daycare, not a nanny, so... but I still don't like it) I gave her the printout from kelly mom earlier in the week and asked her to read it. I will see what notes she gives me on Monday about feedings.

Ended up using 2 of the bags actually. I haven't dyed my hair in over 2 months and apparently got some gray sometime in the last few years. So I got to dye my hair and DP got to spend some time with DS That said - nearly the first thing I did when we got home was feed him. Then he napped for a bit before getting the bottle. Of course, then I did need to pump again LOL so I added 4 more oz to the freezer! I think I'll keep those defrosted bags in the fridge for this weekend. If DSD wants to feed him (which she likes to) this would be a good opportunity for her. I know breast is best, but letting him have a bottle in order to keep DSD feeling involved is worth it.