Posted by
crj
19 yrs ago
On an old thread someone mentioned Gerber Seal 'n Go were available at Watsons / Mannings - not sure if they still are, but I am almost out so I hope so!!
Please support our advertisers:
:-))
19 yrs ago
Watsons should have the Avent ones.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
Question
At first, I was puting the whole expressed session into one bag. But now based on advice in other threads and from the midwife I am storing them in 100 ml, 50 ml, 25 ml amounts so it is easier to get the right amount for a feed in the future.
The problem is that if I express 225 ml, I am using up to 5 bags!! The Gerber box only has 25 bags, so I am using about one Gerber box a week...
You would think they would sell these in 'bulk' size boxes!
This could get expensive!
Any other ideaas out about Breast Milk Storage?
Are ice cube trays sterile enough?
I know I could boil them before use.
BUT when they are in the freezer they are 'exposed' at the top which concerns me - would covering with plastic wrap do it?
I am planning on using ice cube trays for baby food later, so maybe I shouldn't worry?
Thanks
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
was going to buy more today... will go to Watsons first, if more expensive, will go to MamaBeBe.
HKD 60 a week is better than 150!
I don't want to 'waste' any milk... I'll research ice cube trays more before I try! I know they work great for baby food. Thanks for the tip on citysuper, are the 'liners' reusable?
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
aaah, that makes more sense, I just read what you wrote incorrectly. I think it sounds like a good idea for storage - just want to be sure it is 'safe'.
La Leche Leauge says:
Refrigerated or frozen milk may be stored in:
hard-sided plastic or glass containers with well-fitting tops freezer milk bags that are designed for storing human milk.
On another site I found:
"...You could also pour the milk into ice cube trays that have been thoroughly cleaned in hot water, let them freeze until hard, store them in freezer bags, then count up the amount of cubes needed to make a full bottle."
So they key issue seems to be that the container can be steralised and has a tight fitting lid.
I just found these two products via google:
Breast Milk Storage Freezer Trays
http://www.breastmilk.com/breast_milk_storage_freezer_trays.htm
and
Baby Cubes
http://www.juvenilesolutions.com/feeding_baby.html
If the trays you are talking about at City Super have lids that seal and are made for baby food, I am sure they are similar to the above and can be used for breast milk!
And better yet, they can be used later for the homemade baby food - so they will get a lot of use.
Thanks MummyBee!
At the rate I am going, soon no more room for the Ben & Jerry's!
Next week is our first bottle feed... so the supply will start to actually get used...
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
MummyBee - bought the ice cube trays with lids today - thanks for the excellent tip!
They even fit in the Bottle Steraliser we have :)
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
And thank you - we went to mamabebe this weekend for the first time - small selection but great prices!
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
Hi Ruth
Do you mean some bags of milk might 'go off' when it is stored?
Or that some babies never like breast milk that was frozen then thawed?
Any advice if he doesn't like it? I kind of think that if he is hungry, he will have to manage with the not so fresh taste as I won't be there for any alternative?
I would love it it was possible for every feed to be from my breast, but there will be 3-5 times a week that I just will not be available for his feeding times, which is why we are pumping and storing.
Looking forward to your reply.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
Ruth and MummyBee - thank you for all the help and advice!
We gave our very first bottle of expressed milk today... it was in the freezer for about a month and thawed today, and heated in a bottle warmer, and he took it fine!
This was the 'trial' before it is needed for real.
We are not planning on mixing the breastmilk with anything else.
So far we have smelt the milk (no odor), we will bring ourselves to taste it next time.
It was fabulous to see my husband give his first feed, but it was a bit strange too as I was here...
In future it will only be when I am not here and it is necessary.
Please support our advertisers:
MayC
19 yrs ago
Hi, I'm one of those crazy mums who expressed breastmilk EXCLUSIVELY for 10 months. I used both Medela and Gerber freezer bags which can be purchased at Mannings. Gerber was by far the best. For me, after a period of time, I knew roughly how much my baby would take at each feed so I would put that quantity into the freezer bag. I would also leave approximately 60ml in a bottle in the fridge just in case my baby wanted more. Eg. Sometime adding an extra 20ml if she cried for more or not adding at all during a particular feed if she seemed contented with her usual quantity. It meant that if I were to waste my milk, it would only be that extra 20ml.... or the 60ml if baby didn't want to drink it up. I remember mixing in some of that 60ml into her solids when I started her on it.
I went away to Sydney for 2.5 months, came back and she still drank the frozen milk okay.
Pumping is really hard work and we always feel sad if we have to throw away our milk but I found that as long as I pumped regularly, I was able to keep up my milk supply.
Please support our advertisers:
crj
19 yrs ago
May - wow, that is amazing dedication to breastmilk feeding - very lucky baby... I think I will need to reread your post for inspiration anytime I get frustated.
That is a great idea about leaving some extra in the fridge, to be used that day just in case...
I just hope my husband doesn't read your post. He was so excited about the bottle feed he is trying to 'kick me out' of the house part of this weekend so he can feed him more! While I am trying to limit it to 3-5 necessary times a week! We have finally agreed to Saturday 6:30 am feed so I can lay in and feed/pump at 9:30.
Please support our advertisers:
MayC
19 yrs ago
This was what I did. I put the freezer bags (enough for the next day's feed) into the fridge the night before. By morning, it would have melted a little bit (not hard as a rock). Then I used medium hot water to warm it up. Before I fed her, I would shake the bottle.
I think you could read up on how long the milk can last in the freezer, fridge etc... it's so long ago that I can't remember now. Sorry.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail