Freezer bags for expressing ?? hows it work

[Shell001]

Hi, I hear freezer bags for breast milk are available where from ? and are they better then storage containers ?

[bravissimo]

Hi Shell you can get storage bags from www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk - i've used the lansinoh ones and the medela ones (as i have a medela pump) but to be honest i prefer the lansinoh ones and they are cheaper. You can get them from mothercare and boots as well. They are already sterilised so you just put your milk in and then into the freezer. Though you can't re-use them like the storage containers but they take up less space.

[MrsBadger]

boots do their own as well.
They thaw a lot quicker than containers too.

[Shell001]

So you express straight into from the pump or from a container ? thanks ive seen from your link

[StealthPolarBear]

i use the boots ones
express into container then pour in
write on them first

[MrsBadger]

yes, express into container that comes with pump, then decant

there is a system (Playtex nurser?) where you express straight into the bag but don't think it's widely available in the uk
here

[Shell001]

Thanks have to go shopping now for all my little bits ..

[cmotdibbler]

You can get clips for some pumps that allow you to directly pump into the bag, or you can just hold it on.
The advantage of the Lanisoh ones is that you can write on them when full.
Make sure you freeze them flat, and then they defrost in a minute or so in warm water

[Shell001]

Do you defrost at room temp or in fridge ?

[cmotdibbler]

Either in the fridge, or by putting the bag in warm/hot (but not boiling) water. DH (who is the only one who uses frozen ebm) tells me he never does the fridge defrost option.

[MrsBadger]

We never thaw in fridge as dd likes it warm - stand the bag in jug of hot water from kettle so it thaws and warms at the same time.

I'm fairly sure you need to use it immediately once it's thawed so you may as well leave it frozen as long as possible.
DD is demand fed so th quicker the better

[Shell001]

Thanks that is really helpful!

[gigglewitch]

shell - i have avent pump, new 'bag-holder' still in box, i did use it a few times but not many never got chance... and a box of sterile bags.
Have you found or do you want them?! I got them out the other day, as a couple of pals are about to 'hatch' but TBH i dunno if any plan to b/feed or express!!

[Shell001]

Hi Thanks for your offer already purchased online tonight but thanks ..

[gigglewitch]

no probs! fast work - good on ya.

another tip - when you get the bags, put some water in one and try to get the knack of TYING the blardy thing. the boots and avent ones have a fiddly tie-thingy and you turn the top of the bag over several times. Fab when you figure it out. Hideous when trying to do it first time with a bag of newly -expressed milk (obv don't use for milk after)
P.S. the alternative is buying a bag of those bag-clip thingies.

[MrsBadger]

the Lansinoh ones have a fairly foolproof ziplock - much easier

[Shell001]

Thanks everyone brought Lansinoh ones will read up and get to work ..