breast milk storage?

[MerlinsBeard]

What is the best way to store ebm in the freezer? those avent storage pots? bags? which brand?

Like a numpty i completely didn't think of storing it, only expressing

Bags are best as they defrost really fast if frozen flat. The Lanisoh bags were a winner for me, and DH (as the user of frozen milk when I've been away) says that they were less likely to leak than the Boots ones.

definitely bags. i used to double bag just in case.

I used the bag thingies (avent?). I was also given lots of bottles and actually froze it in the bottle which was much easier. Whatever you decide to freeze it in, make sure it then fits whatever you decide to defrost it in. Also, when you put it in the freezer, in whichever container, put it inside a supermarket plastic bag, then it won't freeze to the bottom of the freezer.

thank you

are lansinoh bags available everywhere then? ie will i find them in sainsbo? or am i better looking online?

great tip about the plastic bag! You should enter that for the camcorder comp

Don't know about sainsbury's, but you can certainly get them in mothercare.

Lansinoh bags for me (just rememebr to freeze them flat so you get easy-to-store bars rather than space-consuming lumps)

if worried re leaking put the Lansinoh bag in a normal freezer bag - they're so pricey I could never face using two at a time.

definitely the bags! I used to save small amounts during the day into a bottle, then when I had enough for a full feed transfer to a bag then freeze! You can defrost the bags in warm water too!

mothercare were half the price of blooming marvellous etc for the Lansinoh ones

we only have one bottle (free with breastpump) so we thaw and warm simultaneously by standing bag in a jug of hot water then pouring into bottle

can i put in a vote for milk storage trays? u can get them from blooming marvellous. you freeze milk in one oz portions - 8 to a tray; i got 2 trays - and can later transfer them to any plastic bag/tupperware doodah.

those lansinoh bags are great, as are medela ones, but the cost soon mounts up if you express regularly.

those tray look fine if you only ever freeze or thaw at home
if you eg express at work -> take milk home in coolbag -> freeze -> take to nursery in coolbag -> nursery fridge -> bottle, the bags are fab.

The NCT online shop often have 3 for 2 offers and the like on the Lanisoh bags too.

If I was away and DH needed to thaw milk for nursery, he used to put the bags in a freezer bag to defrost in the fridge. As new plastic bags are pretty much sterile on the inside, he could then use any escaped milk.

With the bags you have the individual frozen dates too, which helps when you end up with lots in the freezer.

Have lots of feeds frozen and ready to go but combined 2 or 3 days worth of 'pump action' in some of them. Want to use now but am really confused. They are all dated etc but is it or is it not safe to use frozen feeds that are made up of bits?

perfectly safe

I think the only thing you're not meant to do is add fresh warm milk to milk that's already frozen - combining them before freezing or after thawing is ok.