Expressing in advance of night - silly question re storage!

[SallyMischievo]

DD is 14 weeks old and I am finally gearing up to leave her with DP and DM for three hours or so tomorrow eve to go out for dinner. She will take an expressed bottle so I am just starting to prepare supplies. However, I have a foolish question: can I combine milk that has been expressed at different times of day into the same bottle? Have just expressed for 20 minutes and to my dismay, only got 70ml so I am going to need to try again a couple of times later and again tomorrow. As long as I sterilise the pump before each use, can I pour today's milk into the same bottle and the same with tomorrow's? If not then at this rate I can foresee that I will leaving cribs and drabs of milk in five or six bottles! Sorry to be so clueless. Advice much appreciated!

Yes you can keep filling the same bottle just put the first time on it as the expiry

Oops that should've read 'in advance of night OUT'!

Oh and recent medical advice is pumps don't need to be sterilised. I didn't in hospital and HV and community midwife said don't nother

Ooh that's very helpful, many thanks!

I think you have to chill the second lot before adding it to the first. The kellymom website has some good info on breast milk storage.

Damn. I haven't done this! Is it ruined now?!

I've never chilled before adding. I wasn't told to by anyone (I asked) ... it was my understanding just to date it with the first lot.

I store mine in 1oz cubes/bags though. DD varies in meal sizes so it avoids waste.

I used to mix and match too. Breast milk is not cow's milk. It has many strange and mysterious properties which are not fully understood by science. What we do know is that breast milk is "self sterilising" in that it contains stuff which kill the pathogens that build up. So you just need to wash in hot soapy water and rinse. Same goes for teats and bottles.

It's best to store the milk in small quantities of 1-2 oz. These can be defrosted very quickly by running under lukewarm water, and it means that you don't have to waste any if the baby decides it's not that hungry.

Have a great night out - I have many fond memories of having to nip to the ladies to relieve the pressure!

Phew! Thank you so much. I will add storage bags to my shopping list.