Silly Question about frozen milk

kwrecks

How do you transport it?

I'm a SAHM so I don't have to bring frozen milk to daycare or anything like that.  But if I am going out to dinner or something, I bring a storage bag of frozen milk with me, in case I can't get LO to NIP (she is very squirmy, and we've had issues with thrush and gas so it's hard to get her to eat).  But it seems like no matter what I do, the milk always starts to thaw out, and I have to use it, even if it's not needed.  I am under the impression that if it starts to thaw out, but is still mostly frozen, it still needs to be used and can't be refrozen, am I right?  I would like to find a way to take it with me, and keep it frozen, so that if I end up not needing it, I can just put it back in the freezer and use it another time. 

So, what is your system?  Is there a certain cooler you use?

bl190004

Oooh I've wondered the same thing. I'll be following for responses.

MommyKristin88

I don't know anything that will keep it frozen, just cold. I have a Munchkin Bottle Cooler that came with an ice pack.

catskitch

I'd probably just use it and pump when I get home and freeze that

kwrecks

catskitch said:

I'd probably just use it and pump when I get home and freeze that

I can't always get a lot when I pump, so a 4oz bag of milk can take me 2-3 times pumping.

natsko

My pump came with a little insulated travel bag and I put a ice pack in it, this website says if your frozen milk is still slushy it's still frozen and good to back in the freezer

https://www.breastfeedingwa.org/files/frozen_breastmilk.pdf

BlueJewelM

I usually nurse on the go wherever I am. Or I take my Medela harmony pump and pump a bit in the car on the way and put that bottle in my diaper bag. Fresh milk is good at room temp for 4 hours according to my handy Medela magnet!

I haven't found too many places id rather do that than nurse, but I have done it a few times.

Other than that I do what you do. Take along a frozen bag and if I don't need it I let it thaw all the way and have DH feed him later on in the day.

Since I SAHM I don't need much of a stash.

kwrecks

I just read on Kellymom that as long as there are still ice crystals in the milk, it's considered okay to put back in the freezer....but I swear I read that I couldn't use it.

Okay, nevermind then.  

JilllyBean

Why don't you just take a refrigerated one with. They last in the fridge for like 6 days and then you could freeze it if you don't use it in time afterwards. 

kwrecks

JilllyBean said:

Why don't you just take a refrigerated one with. They last in the fridge for like 6 days and then you could freeze it if you don't use it in time afterwards. 

I don't always have milk in the fridge, and if I do it's usually not enough.  She gets a bottle maybe 2-3 times a week, so I hardly ever have thawed milk.  I just thaw out the frozen stuff when I need a bottle.  And as soon as I pump 3-4oz, I freeze it.  So I usually only have 1-2oz in the refrigerator.

JilllyBean

kwrecks said:

JilllyBean said:

Why don't you just take a refrigerated one with. They last in the fridge for like 6 days and then you could freeze it if you don't use it in time afterwards. 

I don't always have milk in the fridge, and if I do it's usually not enough.  She gets a bottle maybe 2-3 times a week, so I hardly ever have thawed milk.  I just thaw out the frozen stuff when I need a bottle.  And as soon as I pump 3-4oz, I freeze it.  So I usually only have 1-2oz in the refrigerator.

Well maybe you can change your system and leave it out for a few days to see if you need it and then freeze it. Not freeze it right away. Just an idea. There is no way to keep a bag frozen solid unless it is in the freezer. 

LEMSA

I just pump before I go and use that. He hates cold milk and by the time it's warmed up he's a crying mess. So I just use the warm/room temp pumped bottle.

magdalina.h

If it's still mostly frozen, I throw it back in the freezer.

girlmama83

How do you plan to thaw out the milk completely at a restaurant.. ?

Not being snarky, serious question.

kwrecks

lindsey61811 said:

How do you plan to thaw out the milk completely at a restaurant.. ?

Not being snarky, serious question.

In a cup of hot water. I freeze flat so it thaws out easy.

girlmama83

kwrecks said:

lindsey61811 said:

How do you plan to thaw out the milk completely at a restaurant.. ?

Not being snarky, serious question.

In a cup of hot water. I freeze flat so it thaws out easy.

Gotcha. I never would have thought to just ask the restaurant for that lol

kwrecks

Haha i used to work in restaurants, it happens all the time. I probably wouldn't have thought of it either if i hadn't seen it be done.