Every last drop...of breastmilk

NikkiD522

For my pumping lady friends.. You know the fat in the milk that separates when you refrigerate? Well I know when I warm it, it mixes back together, but sometimes when I need to combine two bottles into one for the babysitter, the fat stays in the bottle stuck to the sides. Any idea how to get that out without warming? Or do you think I should just keep them separated, warm, and then mix?

kwrecks

I just run it under warm water for a second and swirl it and it mixes.

LiylaRae

kwrecks said:

I just run it under warm water for a second and swirl it and it mixes.

I do this too.

LokiLahve

LiylaRae said:

kwrecks said:

I just run it under warm water for a second and swirl it and it mixes.

I do this too.

Yep, this. Just make sure you are swirling it, not shaking it.

NikkiD522

kwrecks said:

I just run it under warm water for a second and swirl it and it mixes.

You think it's ok to then put it back in the fridge and warm later then? I know I've read not to re-warm, but wasn't sure if doing that counted as warming it?

megnallen

Same as everyone above!

kwrecks

You don't warm the milk, you run the water over the bottle where the fatty milk is stuck and just for a second, not long enough to warm the milk at all.

LokiLahve

I've been doing it for weeks and it hasn't spoiled anything. You're not running it under the water long enough to actually warm the milk up...just for a few seconds (maybe 30?) until it lets go if the sides.

LEMSA

Same. Swirl then run it under warm water and swirl again.

LokiLahve

Also...I have rewarmed bottles. I've only done it a couple times and am rewarming for the next feeding, not the next day or anything. Where does it say not to rewarm them?

NikkiD522

Sweet.. Thanks ladies!! Appreciate the quick advice!

sfeebs13

msspeedymarie said:

LokiLahve said:

Also...I have rewarmed bottles. I've only done it a couple times and am rewarming for the next feeding, not the next day or anything. Where does it say not to rewarm them?

Loki, the little card that came with my Ameda pump that has milk guidelines says that previously frozen milk that's been warmed but not fed can be kept in the fridge for 4 hours. So I'd assume you could warm it again after that. If you warm it but don't use it, it should go back in the fridge, according to this. Warmed milk is only good at room temp until "feeding ends"

Yes. I was told thawed milk is good for 24hrs. Milk that hAs been "warmed" is only good for an hour.

sfeebs13

@msspeedymarie. Just seeing your new siggy pics. Love them.  

Also, I continued trying with the side lying nursing.  And we finally just got the hang of it. I almost think she prefers It now.

SarahinMD

I use a butter knife (the not sharp edge) to loosen the solids. Am bit will stay on the knife but it mostly works.

LokiLahve

sfeebs13 said:

msspeedymarie said:

LokiLahve said:

Also...I have rewarmed bottles. I've only done it a couple times and am rewarming for the next feeding, not the next day or anything. Where does it say not to rewarm them?

Loki, the little card that came with my Ameda pump that has milk guidelines says that previously frozen milk that's been warmed but not fed can be kept in the fridge for 4 hours. So I'd assume you could warm it again after that. If you warm it but don't use it, it should go back in the fridge, according to this. Warmed milk is only good at room temp until "feeding ends"

Yes. I was told thawed milk is good for 24hrs. Milk that hAs been "warmed" is only good for an hour.

it's never been previously frozen milk I rewarmed...I thaw that in small enough increments that it won't be waisted once it's thawed. I was wondering more about fresh milk that was in the fridge. Say I warmed a 4oz bottle but she only took 2oz. We then stick it back in the fridge until her next feed and then rewarm it. I know it's not spoiled as I always smell/taste test it. Is there some either concern besides it spoiling when it's warmed 2x?

carrotcake06

I just use the warmth from my hands around the outside of the bottle and then swirl.

We'll also come to the re-use issue when solids are introduced if you feed purees. Once a spoon goes in food that goes in their mouth, all that food can't be saved bc of bacterial growth. Same concept applies for bottles.

All that being said, I get lax about it as they get older and start shoving toys have been laying on the floor in their mouths. Ain't nothing clean about that.

TexasGirl81

Is it a time issue too that you have? Just asking because if not then what I do to get the fat off the sides is just put the bottle on the counter for about 10 minuets. After that 10 minuets it's still very cold but it makes it much easier to swirl the fat off and combine if you need to. I rarely warm the bottles and if I really need to then I put a bowl of water about halfway full pop it in the microwave for 1 1/2 then stick the bottle in the water for 2 min. It usually comes out the perfect temp. HTH

cg0112358

I just swirl until it recombines. It can take a minute or two but never longer.

Enjeneer

Crap. Can you not shake milk to mix it? Ummm... errr... not that I've been doing that or anything :-S