Pump/milk storage question

Whitney DD

So I plan on breastfeeding and pumping when necessary. The pump I like and registered for comes with what looks like a bottle attachment. (MiPump by the First Years.)

My question is, how do you store milk you've pumped if you want to freeze it or have enough for a day or 2? Do you just purchase a special kind of bag and pour it in once you're done pumping or are all pumps capable of attaching to a bag or what?

Its SO confusing to me. Please help!

kristinleigh

I like the Lanisinoh Storage bags for freezing milk.  I lay them flat once frozen in a plastic storage container with a lid.

Missbollinger

I pump into bottles (I have the Medela Swing and PISA) and cool the milk in the refrigerator until I have enough for a bag.  I pour cooled refrigerated milk from the same 24 hour period or 2 days into the Lanisoh bags and freeze them flat.  

In the beginning you might want to freeze in increments of 1-2oz since the baby won't eat as much but eventually I froze in 4-6oz bags.

HTH 

kel716

It will make way more sense once the baby arrives, so don't stress too much about it.

 I used a Medela PISA, and I would encourage you to do your research on a pump... I can't remember exactly, but I seem to remember that particular one not getting very good reviews.  I know the Ameda Purely Yours is a good pump, and the Lansinoh double electric is the equivalent of that same pump and less expensive (it doesn't come with a bag).  If you are working full time, a good pump is a necessity and will pay off in the end since you're saving money on formula. 

Anyway, I exclusively pumped since feeding at the breast did not work for us.  I pumped, and kept milk out at room temp for ~8 hours.  If we used it, it was gone.  If we didn't use it, we kept it in the fridge.  It'll last for 8 days.  If I got more than a day's supply of milk in the fridge, I froze it since I was then ahead of what I needed.  I used the Lansinoh storage bags, and put them in a box in my deep freeze.  I tried to make sure I froze excess milk within 24 hours of pumping as it lasts longer in the deep freeze.  (6 mos in the deep freeze).  GL!

adamsbabble

kel716:

It will make way more sense once the baby arrives, so don't stress too much about it.

 I used a Medela PISA, and I would encourage you to do your research on a pump... I can't remember exactly, but I seem to remember that particular one not getting very good reviews.  I know the Ameda Purely Yours is a good pump, and the Lansinoh double electric is the equivalent of that same pump and less expensive (it doesn't come with a bag).  If you are working full time, a good pump is a necessity and will pay off in the end since you're saving money on formula. 

Anyway, I exclusively pumped since feeding at the breast did not work for us.  I pumped, and kept milk out at room temp for ~8 hours.  If we used it, it was gone.  If we didn't use it, we kept it in the fridge.  It'll last for 8 days.  If I got more than a day's supply of milk in the fridge, I froze it since I was then ahead of what I needed.  I used the Lansinoh storage bags, and put them in a box in my deep freeze.  I tried to make sure I froze excess milk within 24 hours of pumping as it lasts longer in the deep freeze.  (6 mos in the deep freeze).  GL!

This.  A Medela pump is the only way to go in my opinion, and seemingly in the opinion of lots of other moms and lactation consultants.  Even though I don't work, I had to do a lot of pumping with my first daughter since she was fussy at the breast and preferred to bottle feed.  To feed her and keep up my supply, a good quality pump was a must.

Aside from that, I always pumped into the Medela collection bottles that came with my pump and then I would pour it right into DD's feeding bottles to have for the next day, since she always used it right away.  I didn't have a huge need for a freezer stash since I'm at home, but I did have some frozen and I would always pour that from my pump bottles into a Lansinoh storage bag.  I've babysat here and there for some of my working mom friends and noticed that they all did the same thing for their frozen mik.

One last thing, I would also recommend taking a BFing class, which should also cover how/when to pump.  Your hospital probably offers one.  I would also schedule it as early as possible.  I didn't get to attend the one I was scheduled for at 36 weeks b/c I was put on bedrest at 35 weeks.  I got a crash course when I delivered, but I basically had to learn as I was doing it and I'm the kind of person who likes to have a little knowledge beforehand.  I think it will help you understand so much more, and your husband too.