Worried about freezer burn and my precious milk!

[MamitaM]

I'm new at pumping and freezing and am now worried about my milk getting freezer burn. I use the Lansinoh storage bags. I fill the bag normally 5-6 ounces each and try to get all the air out,though I know a little stays in and I lay them flat to freeze. Most of the bags I've noticed have a little "space" in them between the side of the bag and the milk and in some I can see little ice crystals. Is that normal or is it a sign of freezer burn? I only started to worry about this after reading the box of bags and their warning about freezer burn.

[buckeyedoc]

Mine do the same thing (have a tiny air bubble no matter what I do), but the milk seems fine, and I used the same kind of bags with my other kids. I do freeze the Lansinoh bags flat, then stack a bunch of them inside a giant Ziploc freezer bag for extra protection.

[sammymama]

Avoid storing your bags on the door of your freezer as the change in temp when the door opens/closes can affect your milk. Otherwise you should be good to go with those bags for 6-12 mos!

This is not a necessary contraption by any means; I received it as a hand-me-down and it was definitely convenient to use - really flattens the bags the best for optimal storage:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...t_adv_XSG10001

[JudiAU]

Sounds normal. What kind of freezer are you using? An extra freezer can be small and inexpensive and keeps milk in peek condition. Seriously, I would choose it over a sling.

I don't suggest putting more than 5 oz in a bag. It would be a rare baby who would drink 6 oz in a setting. 4-5 oz is a better serving for an older baby. A lot of people do 3 oz for smaller ones. I put them flat in a tuperware dish for best storage. They store most compactly.

[buckeyedoc]

I also try to keep my milk on the freezer shelf and not touching the wall of the freezer, since I have heard that frost-free freezer walls will warm and cool slightly.

[crystal_buffaloe]

I have my new milk upright in a box (so a free version of the contraption from Target -- I got the idea looking at that very product), and it's in the order it needs to be used in. I have my other milk in 4 oz Lasinoh bags inside a larger ziplock bag -- but it makes sense to put it in a tupperware container, so thanks PP for the suggestion!

The milk in some of the bags has come away from the bag inside, but I haven't noticed any ice crystals, either. Just smell it and taste it before you prepare it for your LO if you're worried.

[MamitaM]

I have a normal freezer on the top of my fridge,it has a separate door. I thought to store it in the door but now I won't. I may get a little basket or start storing it in ziplock bags as well. I don't actually use any of the milk for my little man,I donate it.

I can't afford to buy a deep freeze and I also don't have any space here since I live in a very small 1 room apartment.