Transporting frozen breastmilk

[graysongirl]

My DS (who will then be 4 months old) is going for his first overnight stay at his aunties who lives approx 2 hours away. I have been expressing and storing BM in preparation but how to safely get it there? We will be driving over on the Sat morning so milk will be used that day and night, DS returing home on the Sun afternoon. Should I defrost at home 24 hours before and transport in cool bag or let it defrost on way in or out of cool bag...??? He does have formula at his 10pm feed so his auntie could give him formula but don't really want him to have no BM for 24 hours but would rather do that than risk breastmilk going off. Help!

Let it defrost on way there. You might find that it keeps frozen if lots of ice packs in cool bag anyway.

If it went into the freezer as soon as you expressed it, I'd go with letting it defrost on the way there - it should be fine for 24 hours that way, if it's kept cool. But in a similar situation a couple of years ago, I went with the ice packs and cool bag approach and it was fine - then my MIL just defrosted what she needed as she went along.

It would probably be most convenient to defrost the milk at home and transport in a cool box with a couple of ice packs. That way you can be certain that it'll be defrosted when it's needed. Make sure it's really well sealed.

Breast milk doesn't go off particularly quickly at, storage guidelines always leave a wide margin of effort. Just like food storage guidelines have to. TBH it would be fine kept unrefrigerated for two hours, it's not something I would recommend though

But, far more importantly your DS will be fine, try not too worry too much.

Thanks everyone for advice.

I think worry is all tied up in my head with leaving him for first time overnight as you prob guessed overbuurvrouw so thanks for reassurance! I was also a bit concerned that SIL wouldn't defrost properly if arrived fully or partially frozen although that is totally mad as she is very competent person with 2 children and would not give her beloved nephew frozen milk!! Bloody hell am driving myself crackers....DH thinks I am completely mad and starting to want to call the whole thing off and never ever leave DS overnight with anyone.. Must pull myself together!!

It's perfectly understandable! I was just the same when DD was away for her first night, also a long drive away. I stressed and worried so much in the days before hand that I was in no state to enjoy the free time when it come.

Try to make a plan and put it to one side in your mind All will be well.

I remember how long it took to get all the milk for DDs first night away, no wonder your worried about keeping it safe IMO. Just take the milk out of the freezer 26 - 24 hours before the first feed will be needed. Let it defrost in the fridge and transport in a cool box, with or without ice packs (depending on how defrosted it is when the time comes). Make sure it's really well sealed.

I was even starting to worry about not enjoying myself at lovely friends wedding, was actually worried about being worried!!! The knots we tie ourselves in.... I think I will defrost at home, less hassle for SIL and I know it will all be fine.

Thanks so much for reassurance x x x

The worrying about worrying is a killer, I know it well...

It'll all be alright on the night I'm sure your SIL wont mind if you need to call every half hour to put your mind at rest. You wont need to though!

It's just like exams IME, the waiting is far worse than the test.