I typically have enough in the fridge for today and half of tomorrow when I leave for work in the morning. Do you have more? Less? Should I be freezing some instead of keeping it all in the fridge? I wonder because I have about two days worth in the freezer. Granted, we don't have a large freezer and it has actual food in it.
Re: EP moms, how much do you have in the fridge?
I no longer EP (I BF at night now), but I keep a rotating stash in the fridge. I depends what time of day it is how much is physically in there. Typically, each day:
-5 5-oz bottles go to school with S
-12 oz. remains in the fridge
-I pump between 25-40oz at work and bring everything home.
When I get home, leftover from daycare gets marked "use first", any new bottles get filled from the 12 oz. that remained in the fridge that morning plus what I pumped, 12 oz. remains in the fridge, and any excess gets frozen. It's complicated to explain, but I just use that same FIFO method they use in restaurants. I can usually freeze on Thursday and Friday.
On weekends, I EBF and pump after each feeding to keep my pumping supply up. Anything I pump on the weekends gets frozen. I think it's really important to have a freezer supply for emergencies. Two weeks ago, I got really sick and super dehydrated, and my supply tanked for like 5 days. The freezer stash saved my behind.
I love that system! What did you do with the tiny bottles that came with it? I froze them for emergencies, so if I get stuck at work, FI can give him something to hold him over until I get home.
Chef Victor makes magic oatmeal. It's my only guess.
I don't EP, but I do work full time, so I always leave 4 4 oz bottles at home w/ DH. I generally go home and nurse on my lunch break. DS will usually drink 2-4 bottles (usually just 2, but he's going through a growth spurt or something and has been drinking 3 or 4 this week). I pump at work and in the morning. I use what is left from the day before and what I pump for the next day and freeze the rest. I have about 200 oz. frozen. I'd like to keep about 150 oz in my freezer at any given time and I plan to donate the rest.
I want some of this oatmeal! I'm excited if I pump 16 oz at work.
Maybe I need to start freezing more and just leaving a day's worth in the fridge. I do have some work travel coming up,hence the starting to freeze some, but right now am hoping I can just bring baby along on the trip.
I'm blown away by those of you who have such awesome supply. I'm lucky if I can get 6-12 oz more than she uses in a day.
I have no stash. I really am pumping today for milk for tomorrow. It stinks and I hate it. I just dont know how to get ahead. It is paycheck to paycheck in this milk bank
I take 3 4oz bottles to DC each morning.
BFP #1- 11/7/10 ~EDD 7/20/11 ~M/C (bo) 12/6/10 @ 8wks ~Missing my Little Firework
BFP #2- 9/11/11 ~EDD 5/25/12 ~M/C (mmc10w)11/4/11 @ 11wks ~Missing my May Flower
BFP #3- 02/21/12 ~EDD 11/1/12 Audrey Lee Born 11/4/2012
BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!
that is exactly what I do...I always have them frozen just for an extra ounce or two and then if they get used I try to refreeze them that same day!