Quick question about freezing breast milk

[iamfizzy]

Hi,
I expressed 6 oz on Tuesday night, so a full bottle, and left it in the fridge. I haven't used it and have a long car journey to do in the next few weeks, so I want to freeze it to use then in case we get stuck on the motorway in traffic. (I drive, DP doesn't, so he will be in the back with baby.)
Firstly, can I put the teat and lid on when freezing, or will this damage the teat?
Secondly, as the milk has been in the fridge for 2 days it has separated, should I mix it before I freeze it, or leave as is and mix when defrosted?
Thank you, you clever people.

I don't think it's advised to freeze the teats on bottles. I always freeze in breast milk bags then transfer the milk to a bottle when its feed time, but I guess you could freeze in a baby bottle with a lid on? Or in a bottle with the top covered with cling film and an elastic band maybe if you don't have any bags?

WRT whether to mix the milk or not before freezing, I don't know as I've never done it but think I would mix it. Hopefully someone else knows for sure!

Remember that a 6oz frozen block of milk will take a long time to defrost. I usually freeze in 3 oz bags so they are quicker to defrost.

I would pour it into a breastmilk storage bag, give it a wee shake to mix and then freeze it.

Take a flask of hot water on your trip to defrost.

Call a helpline to clarify in case I remember wrong - but I thought the advise was freeze ASAP (not two days later sorry) - bottle or bag is fine though as long as sealed.

Never shake breast milk just gently swirl it to combine shaking it messes something up (nutrients? something like that). I froze mine separated and swirled when warming before feeding personally, if it had separated before it got to the freezer.

If you were going to freeze this lot anyway (as in ignore the recommendation to freeze immediately or not at all) then lid on no teat or a bag. Defrost in the fridge slowly for 12 hours before use and warm just before use.

one handed typing hope this makes sense!

Thanks for your quick replies.
I don't have milk bags. I normally only express if we are going on the motorway, so I do it in the morning before we leave. I have never frozen my milk before.
LO had jabs on Tuesday and zonked after it so didn't feed normally. Come bedtime I was so full up I had to express some off because it was starting to hurt! It just seemed a waste to have a full bottle there and not use it.
Seems it's best to be safe and not freeze it now. I will get some bags though, just in case needs arise again, and I will freeze straight away, in small amounts.
Thanks.