@MercyC1130 I keep some bags frozen with only 2oz for the times my mom thinks he wants a little more, that way she doesnt waste a 4 or 5 oz bag is she's wrong.
i haven been very specific with the nanny to cut my 5oz oz bags in two bottles. So there will be less waste. There is often 1oz or less at the end of the day that need throwing out anyways.
i was wondering when does the freezer stash gets useful ? Is it when we lose our supply? Or when there is an emergency ? We dont need it daily when pumping at work.
------------QBF---------- Times to use freezer stash: - missed a pump at work - left pumped milk on desk at work, remember it half way home - just did not pump enough for any reason at work (sick, period, stress, dehydrated. ...) - extra bottle needed during growth spirt - bottle spills for any reason -if you need to travel without baby
With DS I found that I did not need a huge stash, but milk for 2 days, because I did travel for work, was usually plenty. If I did not travel I think what you usually send to DC for the day is plenty, but more is not a bad thing I ended up donating most my stash with DS and I am actually making my first donation of milk this time today.
I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm going about this freezer stash thing the wrong way. Bottom pic is my stash at home and crazy enough, the one on top is from work. I've taken over the damn freezer at work people!! I don't even know how much milk I have anymore,since there is also some bags at my mom's house. My son is still taking 3 bags a day, while I pump enough for 6. on weekends he gets boob only and I still pump once (because apparently i'm insane). so I was thinking...why the hell am I giving him frozen 1 month old milk when I could be giving him fresh one? but then the frozen one will go bad soon because I don't have a deep freezer. I think i'm going to donate my stash before it goes bad. thoughts?
I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm going about this freezer stash thing the wrong way. Bottom pic is my stash at home and crazy enough, the one on top is from work. I've taken over the damn freezer at work people!! I don't even know how much milk I have anymore,since there is also some bags at my mom's house. My son is still taking 3 bags a day, while I pump enough for 6. on weekends he gets boob only and I still pump once (because apparently i'm insane). so I was thinking...why the hell am I giving him frozen 1 month old milk when I could be giving him fresh one? but then the frozen one will go bad soon because I don't have a deep freezer. I think i'm going to donate my stash before it goes bad. thoughts?
---------gbf----------
Some EP will build a giant stash so they can continue to feed BM after they stop pumping. Unless you are planning to do something like that or a trip without baby, I would look into donating it. I find donating the older milk is easier when you have a large stash, instead of trying to rotate it. I would rather my baby have the fresh milk also.
I may start donating my stash, especially since we're moving into a house in a couple of months. I am on average pumping an extra 4oz beyond what baby eats while I am work. I did notice my supply tanked for a couple of days when my period came back, and i've heard people can have supply issues if they get sick or have to take medication.
I decided to start rotating out my freezer stash before I have to worry about it going bad. I thought I'd pull out a bag or two a day and then freeze what I pump from one session. That way he's mostly drinking fresh milk, but nothing is going to wind up wasted. However, we are at a point where I'm seriously considering getting a deep freezer to store milk, because we really don't have enough space to build a good stash. And as I'm EPing, I think it would be so great to have a big stash and be able to stop pumping sooner.
Just to let everyone know we got a deep freezer for about $150 at sams club! We keep it in our garage. It may be worth looking in to if your freezer is too full of mama milk to out groceries, which was our situation haha
Just to let everyone know we got a deep freezer for about $150 at sams club! We keep it in our garage. It may be worth looking in to if your freezer is too full of mama milk to out groceries, which was our situation haha
Do you happen to know the cubic feet of it? We've been doing a lot of looking at deep freezers, and it looks like it may be worth telling my husband we are going to sams this weekend.
I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm going about this freezer stash thing the wrong way. Bottom pic is my stash at home and crazy enough, the one on top is from work. I've taken over the damn freezer at work people!! I don't even know how much milk I have anymore,since there is also some bags at my mom's house. My son is still taking 3 bags a day, while I pump enough for 6. on weekends he gets boob only and I still pump once (because apparently i'm insane). so I was thinking...why the hell am I giving him frozen 1 month old milk when I could be giving him fresh one? but then the frozen one will go bad soon because I don't have a deep freezer. I think i'm going to donate my stash before it goes bad. thoughts?
If you continue to produce more than he drinks I would totally donate. You don't have to give it all away. Keep a cushion for yourself. And you can always donate again. Human milk for human babies is a great site. Each state has a fb page, pretty much.
anyone here with experience donating to the milk bank?
ETA: it sounds to me like it would be put to better use there, since its small babies needing it. is that right?
I have donated both to a milk bank and thru Human Milk for Human Babies. There are pros and cons to both.
Milk bank pros: - milk goes to nicu - easy donation (drop off or fed ex)
Milk bank cons: - intensive approval process to donate (phone interview, paper forms, paperwork from obgyn and pedi, and blood work for the milk bank I donated to) - there are for profit milk banks, so I would double check it is a non profit bank if that is important to you. Non profit milk banks do charge for milk to cover their costs, but that cost is usually covered by insurance for babies in the nicu - there are additional restrictions on medication, herbal supplements and alcohol use when donating
HMFHB pros: - milk goes to baby who would not be getting milk otherwise (or would be getting less milk) - you get to meet the family you are helping - recipient comes to you for the donation (public place or your home)
HMFHB cons: - there is a small stranger danger aspect to the donation
I am sure there are others. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
@MargaretC5 Thanks for your reply. I don't mind the screening process, the reward seems worth it to me. I don't take any type of medications and I don't drink or smoke so I think I'll try the milk bank. I asked around to try and donate locally but I've only gotten inquiries from people with grown babies, Like around 1 year old. Seems to me the NICU needs it more
Re: Freezer stash
Human milk for human babies is a great site. Each state has a fb page, pretty much.
ETA: it sounds to me like it would be put to better use there, since its small babies needing it. is that right?
Milk bank pros:
- milk goes to nicu
- easy donation (drop off or fed ex)
Milk bank cons:
- intensive approval process to donate (phone interview, paper forms, paperwork from obgyn and pedi, and blood work for the milk bank I donated to)
- there are for profit milk banks, so I would double check it is a non profit bank if that is important to you. Non profit milk banks do charge for milk to cover their costs, but that cost is usually covered by insurance for babies in the nicu
- there are additional restrictions on medication, herbal supplements and alcohol use when donating
HMFHB pros:
- milk goes to baby who would not be getting milk otherwise (or would be getting less milk)
- you get to meet the family you are helping
- recipient comes to you for the donation (public place or your home)
HMFHB cons:
- there is a small stranger danger aspect to the donation
I am sure there are others. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.