Freezing breast milk

[wrinklytum]

How long does it last in the freezer?How long does it last in fridge once defrosted?When is the best time to express bm ?if your baby is 10 months and you havent expressed before,how much bm would you expect to get, approximately?.Having a panic about going back to work in a month or so!!TIA thanks

bump

I think EBM can be kept in the freezer for 3 months. If you froze it immediately, it should keep for a couple of days, maybe 3.

People can usually express most milk in the morning and least in the evenings - this was true for me. I seemed to have a LOT of milk - I could get 4oz in about 10 minutes in the morning, and would often get 8 oz if I did both sides.

My DS would not drink EBM. Think this was just him being difficult as haven't heard same problem with anyone else. Good Luck!

It supposed to be 3 months but it can vary. I found mine didn't freeze well and gave up on that idea. how much you get really depends on you, and how relaxed you are expressing. When I was feeding twins I could get 20 oz in 20 mins, which is very unusual but possible. I would start by trying to express in the morning, after you have fed your baby, and slowly build up.

EBM lasts six months in a good freezer.

Eight days at the back of the fridge.

I find expressing first thing good.

Will you be expressing at work too?

I'm going back in mid-October - DS2 will be 9mo when I do.

I'd say build a supply now - Lansinoh bags are good for storing it in the freezer (get them in Boots, Mothercare, or online). Freeze it in small quantities - I have it in 2oz, 3oz and 4oz bags so that whoever is doing the feeding of DS2 can make up bottles accordingly.

Having said all that - what hours are you doing? There's a chance that you could feed morning, bedtime and in the night and not bother with milk in the day - unless she is happy to take it?

Thanks guys.Only doing pt but I work shifts which is where the problem lies.DD is used to having a bf before being put down to sleep so dp is getting worried about doing the night feeding if I am allocated a late shift(.She will take water/diluted fruit juice from a beaker but will not entertain the idea of formula milk on its own,though will eat it in her morning weetabix) hence the need to try expressing.

She is already down to 3 feeds a day (so far sleeps through and doesnt wake in night for bf)Was trying to cut out midday bf but she gets distressed.TBH I think its more of a comfort thing for her.Sure if I was a bit tougher I may be able to stop dinnertime feeds and supplement juice/water from a beaker.

have you tried your dp feeding her ebm without u present? Have u tried bottles? at 10 mnths she isn;t going to get nipple confusion, and there ar bottles/teats shaped more like breast feeding.

alos, i woulnt worry too much about shifts, u can jsut exprss at normal feed times.

I guss the main thing to work on is the eve feed. maybe try ur dp feediung her with u absent. maybe try putting baby down and seeing if they will settle withoutt th bf. mine uised to cry for 5-10 mins then fall asleep. How does she settle for daytime nap(s)?