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Needed: Handling stored breast milk.

Tracy - posted on 06/14/2010 ( 1 mom has responded )

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Hi. I am breast feeding my daughter who is 4 months old. I am getting married next month and I will be pumping so that other people can care for her that day. I am unsure of the rules/procedures for handling stored breast milk. I know I have to freeze it, but what do I need to do the day of the wedding? Does the milk stay frozen until it's needed or can it be thawed and sitting in the fridge or small cooler? How long after it thaws does it have to be consumed before it becomes unusable? I don't know how to leave the house with breastmilk and have it good to use when my baby needs it. Please help.

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Amanda - posted on 06/14/2010

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37

ok, Pump as much as you think she will need for the day plus extra just to be sure! Buy the freezer storage bags put the amount she normaly drinks in each feeding in to each bag close the bags tightly and lay flat on there sides in the freezer making sure to date each bag as they are pumped also write the amount on each bag. When you are ready to used what you have stored take out the oldest pumped bag (not older the 4 weeks) Place the bag in a cup of pretty warm water but NOT to hot. it will thaw out and warm up at the same time then pure into a bottle. It only takes a couple mins to thaw and warm. After the milk has been thawed and warmed discard the extra in the bottle you can NOT rewarm . If you have your frozen breastmilk in a cooler with a good amount of ice and or Ice packs they will stay frozen for hours. You can also leave freashly pumped unfrozen breast milk in a fridge for 12hrs but you should discard it if its not drank within that amount of time do NOT freeze after letting it sit in the fridge! Also if you have never used a bottle with her before I would start giving her one a couple times a day so that when you need her to take it she will without becoming very upset and confused! Try a Playtex Drop-ins bottle they have a very soft nipple so its more natural for her to latch onto and the drop ins are easy to use and can be thrown out after each use so you dont have to worry about washing the bottle after each feeding. good luck and congatulations on the wedding!

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