Freezing breast milk

[ThomCat]

I wanted to buy something to store expressed milk in but not sure what.

My breast pump is a proper industrial one that I hired and then the chemist shut down and I still have the pump.

Avent bottles don't fit onto it so will express into the one bottle that I have for the pump, but then what?

Shall I pour milk straight into ice cube trays and freeze it like that? Or shall I decant into the Avent bottles I already have (and buy new teats)?

How many cubes will I need per feed or if freezing into a bottle how many ounces?

Also how long will breast milk keep in the fridge for?

I can't seem to remember anything from last time!

I preferred those plastic bags for storing in the freezer (but decanted into a proper bottle for feeding).

What state are your Avent bottles in? Mine are scoured and hazy, I would probably buy new ones. I used an industrial milking machine for a while and put the milk into 200ml tupperware type containers to put in the freezer.
I kept milk in the fridge for 24 hours (I think)

My memory of these things is fading too.

i wouldn't do icecubes because of the risk of contamination from other stuff in the freezer, i have been putting the milk i'm donating into platic bottle which have been sterlised or avent breast milk bags. I'd imagine i could well have lots of these left would you like them? i'm not sure when i'd get them too you but dd2 is nearly 6 months so not that long.

The only thing i've founf about the bags is to let the milk defrost slowly in them and not try to use hotwater to defrost them they burst!!

milk in fridge 24h in freezer 3 months

Bless thanks Katzguk but will need them soonish so don't worry hon'.

I thought you could get the Avent freezer bag things actually but haven't seen them anywhere and have been online, to John Lewis and a massive Boots.

Yes good point about the contamination from other food if using ice cube tray.

Where did you get the 200ml tuppaware tubs from?

Hmmm, I think some of the Avent bottles are a bit rough rouind the edges but think some of them should be ok.
Will I really need new bottles as well as new teats?

They were cheap from Tesco or Asda - round take-away type containers with lids.

I have lots of 4oz Avent bottles that are in good condition if you would like them? My 8oz bottles have been trashed.

I always used Lansinoh bags to freeze EBM in - I have an Isis, so used the Avent bottles to pump into (and therefore measure it) and froze it in small quantities. The Lansinoh bags are brilliant, would definitely recommend them.

Are you planning to express for every feed?

Oh, and you did used to be able to get Avent bags, but they were crap IME - stupid fiddly clips to close them with. The Lansinoh ones are much better - you can get them in Boots and Mothercare and prob John Lewis.

Avent (I believe) have discontinued their bags and replaced them with the odd Via Cups which are a waste of everyone's time and money and room in the freezer...IMO

I have some avent breastmilk bags .. any use TC?

just read sneaky's post .. I didn't find them a pain at all .. and they were easy to store in freezer too

Oh, the bags were straightforward to store in the freezer - it's the cups that take up oodles of room.

Just found the clips and sticky labels fiddly compared to the ziplocks with space to write on the bag itself (but a separate part from the bit that had the milk in!) on the Lansinoh ones. Did I mention I liked those?

I think I might feel even more confused now!!!

Twigglett, well that would be great if you don't mind.
Can I maybe send you an SAE?

Gingerbear - oh bvless you too (isn't everyone just bloody lovely!)
Ummm, well it's very kind.... ummmm not sure what I should do. Shall I send you a SAE jiffy bag for a couple of them maybe?

Hunker - no not at all, can't wait to have that baby on my breast, but do plan on letting D join in some feeding fun. That's the one thing about b.feeding I hate that D misses out, and expressing also means I don't have to do every single night feed.

TC if it's any use to you I have spare teats (totally unused) for Avent disposable bottle (different from other Avent stuff) not sure if this is what you need but you can have 'em for free if any use. No spare bags tho.
(Also have a pumpy bit from an Avent Isis, again in sealed packet unused, but sounds like that's not something you need.)

breastmilk storage times

Thomcat - you can keep fresh breastmilk in the fridge for up to eight days.
I'd freeze it in those avent or playtex pre-sterilised bags. Much the easiest way IMO.

Oh thanks Clary!
I think I should be okay for teats.

Not sure about the state of my old bottles now though and still not sure what I'm storing the breastmilk for freezing in!

I'll get there eventually!

Thanks to everyone who is generously offering sending stuff.

Just did another £40 in Boots on.....
well mainly breast pads and maternity towels and stuff like that.
Only went in to try and buy freezer bag things!

bless you GB.
I'll cat you now. Not sure you'll get it for a while, it would appear our emails are playing up but will do it now.
You must let me pay for postage though, agreed?

they are very light, it will be peanuts, honestly!

Thanks hon, so kind of you.
I've CAT'd you but my email is really playing up so not sure when you'll get it.
TC x

I use the Boots own make freezer bags as they were much cheaper than other's I'd seen.

how annoying the massive boots i was in today didn't have any.
I'll check out the other really bifg Boots I know of.
Thanks.

They are in a blue and white box near the teats section.

Thanks, I'll try again.

I use boots breastmilk freezer bags too. Stock code seems to be: 0351 8298 or 35-18-299

Maybe you could phone the branch you are going to to check they have them in stock.

The first time you use them they seem fiddly, but it quickly becomes a doddle. I have defrosted them in warm water and never had any split on me. Its a lot easier to defrost the milk when stored in them than stored in bottles too - much quicker.

Hope you find them ok

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