All Communities > Breastfeeding Moms > pumping... how many oz to freeze??

pumping... how many oz to freeze??

Natalie - posted on 07/13/2009 ( 5 moms have responded )

73

12

I am a teacher. I was back to work for nine weeks after my daughter turned 3 months old. Now I am off for the summer.... I am pumping like a mad woman to prepare for fall... My DD has always not eaten large quantities but eats more times.... previously she was eating 5 oz 3xs while I was at work... for her 4th and 5th months. When I go back in fall, she'll be 9 months old. She has been solely BFing during the summer.



Currently, she is bfing in morning, eating solids, short bf before am nap. BF for lunch and solids. Short BF before pm nap. BF after nap. solids at 5, BF at 630 for bed.



1. What size quantities should I be freezing?

2. Will she need milk for those times before naps at the sitter? or is that feed now just soothing her?

3. can I assume she'll be eating the same portion size or (more because she will be older) or (less becasue she'll be eating it with solids.)



help.... it is so confusing...

Join Circle of Moms

Sign up for Circle of Moms and be a part of this community! Membership is just one click away.

Join Circle of Moms

5 Comments

View replies by

Dawn - posted on 07/14/2009

16

24

I've been pumping and freezing in 2-6 oz increments since by baby was about 2 months old (he is 5 months now). I hope to use it when I go back to work in August, but also pump as much as I have time for and bf in the mornings and evenings. I hope it all works out as I have planned.

Ashley - posted on 07/14/2009

2

10

The lactation lady I see recomended buying mason jars. I bought 32oz jars because my son normally consumes about 4oz each bottle. She said every day take a jar out of the freezer and put it in the fridge. When you need to make a bottle, pour what you need from the jar into the bottle. If you need more, take out another jar. It defrosts easily in warm water or in the fridge. Hope this helps, don't know what to tell you about how much she will need.

Kristin - posted on 07/14/2009

19

18

I'm a teacher as well, but I had to take the last teaching year off because my baby was a preemie and couldn't go to daycare. I am in the same boat because I have to go back to teacher after this summer. My daughter will be 11 months old when she starts daycare, so I don't have to give breast milk for too much longer. I have been saving the pumped milk in 3-5 oz servings for the last 3 months. she is also eating 3 good sized solid meals, and 2 small solid snacks. so I'm not sure how much she is going to need, so I'm worried. I'm not going to pump at work, because there will be no time.

Dbiles - posted on 07/13/2009

20

11

Does she take both breasts at feedings, or only 1? If both, then freeze/store all you pumped together, if only 1, then freeze them separately. I like to freeze in 3 to 4 oz increments because for a small bottle you can do 1 bag, or for a large, combine 2. At 9 months old, she only needs 20-24 oz of milk per day b/c the rest will be solid food. If she is used to having milk before nap, she might need that at the sitter's too for soothing, but it's really individual.



I wouldn't worry about pumping too much ahead; breastmilk is age appropriate, and freezing does decrease some of its properties, so fresh is best plus you can only store milk about 4 months in a regular freezer or 6-12 months in a deep freezer. Have some frozen in reserve for sure (at least 3 days worth, but maybe 2 weeks worth at most), but rotate it out with some of new to make sure she drinks milk that has never been frozen each day.

Naomi - posted on 07/13/2009

190

7

I just freeze what i pump from each breast. it can vary from 2 - 6 oz. if he needs 2 bags then he gets two bags... or more or less



my son gets a bottle before a nap, helps sooth him



no assuming, varies from feeding to feeding :) don't worry too much about it, just pump and store. sitter will figure out if baby needs more

Powered by RESPECT not THUMPS

Want to find out the opinions of this community?

Add Poll