freezing/ storing/thawing/pumping

[xmasbaby7]

I took a month and a half vacation from pumping and just started up again. TO my dismay, I don't pump anything anymore!

I guess my body isn't used to it anymore, so I feel like I am back inthe newborn stage driking Mother's Milk Tea, fenugreek, and I bought a 6-pack of stout. (That better help, because, I hate beer and don't really like to drink).

Anyways, I learned from my mom's group this AM that if you pump and freeze, that you have to use it ASAP if you thaw it; you ca't thaw it and refrigerate a few days.

Anyone else so this? I did once on vacation and it seemed fine.

I know some people stear to the ultra-sterile camp, while others throw caution to the wind. I am more the latter, I think.

Any personal experience?

[aisraeltax]

from what i understand (from a few bf'ing books..they are upstairs so i cant quote them right now), you cant refreeze milk. once thawed, it has to be used within a certain period of time (if you want to know exactly how long, ill look it up).
once they drink out of it, has to be used with that feeding or w/in 30 minutes. although once i thaw milk (only done a few times), i try to get him to drink it, so i have gone past 30 minutes before.
but definitely dont re-freeze.
i think bm has a 6 month life frozen.
i have to start pumping again too..havent been doing it for awhile b/c i was scared that i had thrush but i dont think i did.

[IncaMama]

yeah, i dont' re-freeze. but i have left it in the fridge for a full day (unopened) after the initial thaw. not as a rule, though.

once it's been thawed i don't let her drink it if it's been out for too long (but sometimes i'll take a bottle on a day trip and no matter when during that trip, i'll have her drink it).

ack she needs me. LOL brb

[amygoforth]

Well, I'm at work and happen to have my pump and storage info right here...

My Medela manual indicates that thawed, previously frozen breastmilk can be stored in the frige for 24 hours.

[Geofizz]

I'm definitely in the "throw caution to the wind" camp (which also = less wasted ebm).

Thawed milk turns sour in 36 hours. Peeeeeeeyu. No way around that.

[xmasbaby7]

Wendy, does it sour 36 hours if it went from freezer to fridge?

I heard if there are still frozen pieces of milk in the container, then you can refreeze, too.

[aisraeltax]

i agree that you can definitely refrigerate thawed bm and that it can be used within 24 hours but never refrozen.
i hate throwing out ebm so i never store it in more than 2 oz., although i have expressed before (im paranoid, so i express if i have to go anywhere for even 5 minutes...what woud happen if i get into an accident or get stopped for having a lead foot??). i make sure E drinks all the ebm b/c i dont want to throw it away! i know, im weird!

[DesireeH]

anyone know how long not frozen bm lasts? I pumped a couple oz the other day cause she slept too long and I was dying with rock hard boobs so I just pumped out a couple oz and it's been in the fridge like 3 days (but was never frozen.) Is it bad?

She wont take a bottle anyways.......I tried 2 weeks ago and she just gagged and made a weird face. We are going to a concert (and kids are going to grandma and grandpas) in a couple months so I kinda wanted to get her used to one by then. I'm supposed to go wine tasting with some friends next month (all moms but we need a break.....so no kids) for a couple hours and it would be nice if she would take a bottle for DH while I was gone.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by xmasbaby7

Wendy, does it sour 36 hours if it went from freezer to fridge?

I heard if there are still frozen pieces of milk in the container, then you can refreeze, too.

I need to ask my sitter how she thaws the milk, but it turns in the fridge. I should note that this is a dorm-style fridge, so while I put the bottles in the coldest part, I don't think it's as cold as a standard household fridge.

I've read that too about partially frozen milk. You know the melted parts are really close to the melting temperature, so it's still too cold for anything to grow.

[amygoforth]

Originally Posted by DesireeH

anyone know how long not frozen bm lasts? I pumped a couple oz the other day cause she slept too long and I was dying with rock hard boobs so I just pumped out a couple oz and it's been in the fridge like 3 days (but was never frozen.) Is it bad?

Freshly expressed bm is good for 5-7 days in the frige.

FWIW, the daycare I use keeps a crockpot of warm water going all the time for bottles. They keep my ebm frozen until ready to use, then just toss a bag into the crockpot. It thaws and warms quickly, then it's ready for Drew's bottle. That way, I never have to worry about my ebm souring since it stays frozen.

OT... Drew is the only ebf baby there. All the others are on formula.

[aisraeltax]

the crockpot idea is a great one!
E hates the bottle! i am hoping he gets better with it though. we shall see...

and i read 7 days in the frig for ebm and 6 months in freezer for ebm too.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by aisraeltax

and i read 7 days in the frig for ebm and 6 months in freezer for ebm too.

6 months is for the very coldest part (interior, not door) of a deep freeze. 3 months is more realistic for a freezer attached to a fridge. Double package the milk to make it last longer: I put 10-15 baggies in a gallon ziploc so there are two layers between the milk and the freezer.

[aisraeltax]

wow! thanks Wendy. i did NOT know that. better start protecting my ebm better...i have it in the door. i guess thats bad!

[wirewendy]

Brewer's Yeast instead of beer

You can mix brewer's yeast (also nutritional yeast) in orange juice instead of drinking beer. If you aren't used to the taste, it might shock you, but soon you will crave it. Add a table spoon of flax oil, and you will have a pretty potent beverage. I make a whole blender full and drink a glass a day.