Hand expressing- how to store + freeze milk

[sleepysox]

I am due to have a C section in 2 weeks.

I have been advised to hand express breast milk and to store it in a sterilised container in the freezer until DS is born.
(Don't really want to go into detailed reasons why, except to say DS will have severe brain damage and diabetus and so won't have much brain function, but the Paediatric Neurologist said there's no reason why he can't BF. Due to the diabetus I need my milk to come in asap, so the hosp doesn't have to resort to formula to stabilise his blood sugars, plus I have a real need to get this right. Everything else has gone pear shaped, and i mentally need something positive to come out of this nightmare).

I only have 1 suitable container. Can I take it out of the freezer each day and add in new milk to be refrozen, or can anyone recommend smaller containers that can do the job? When i go in for the CS, do I transfer all the collostrum into 1 container- I doubt I'll have very much tbh.

Hope someone can help.

[TheMightyToosh]

Hi,

Very sorry to hear about your DS .

You can buy little freezer bags from Boots designed specially for freezing breast milk. They are already sterile and you can write the date on them so that you use the oldest first. That way you don't have to keep opening the same container again and again, as this will compromise the sterility. Then I would defrost and add them all together, as like you say, there probably won't be a lot until your milk comes in.

Either that or ask the hospital for some sterile tubes like you use for uring samples? But check that they are freezer-proof.

Good luck - hope everything goes well.

[mcflumpy]

Hi Sleepysox, sorry to hear of your difficulties. If you check out Kellymom.com, they have great advice about storage and expressing and generally lots of very very good advice about breastfeeding.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to answer your specific question though.

you can buy breast milk bags from boots which can be stored in the fridge or freezer, they are very good but are disposable.
You can also buy bottles such as axifeed which attach directly to some pumps (not sure which, maybe someone else can advise?)these can be reused time after time, just need a wash and sterilised prior to use.

You might also find the hospital will be able to help in the short term with a pump and storage after your LO is born.

Best of luck.

[sleepysox]

Thanks for your help , I've seen some of the bags on Fleabay- will buy some tonight.