freezing milk

mrs_rob

I've never been able to start a freezer stash since I have a low supply, but have started to build up a little more than just what I need for the next feeding or two in the fridge, so I'd like to freeze a little. I have the Lansinoh freezer bags. I assume that since the bags are labeled to 6 oz. that that's the most I should put in a bag, even though the 6 oz. mark is less than half the bag. I'm also wondering whether I should take 6 oz. of pumped milk from the fridge (it takes me 2-3 pumpings to get 6 oz. or more), pour it in the bag, and then freeze it. I know these are probably stupid questions, but I want to make sure I don't end up ruining any of my milk.

Melanie2003

you need room in the bag because liquid will expand a bit when frozen.

also, those bags are great because they lay flat, hence the extra room in the bag needed.

i wouldn't freeze 6 oz together unless you know that it will all be used when you thaw it. thawed bm lasts 24 hours in the fridge and then you need to toss it.

dd#2 is 8 weeks old and has only had a handful of bottles. when she does, she drinks 2-3 oz, so most of my bags are 2 or 3 oz. i can thaw it and have the right amount for one bottle without waste or worry.

i ep'd for dd#1 - as she got older, she drank larger quantities and i could freeze 4-5 oz in one bag for 1 bottle. but i hardly stayed ahead of the game so there wasn't much to freeze. and she didn't drink thawed bm as well as fresh - i gues sit was her taste preference.

good luck!

mrs_rob

Thanks Melanie! Can I thaw the frozen milk just by placing it in the fridge so that I can use what I need for each feeding (less than 6 oz.), as long as all 6 oz. is used within 24 hours? Or do I have to thaw it in warm water?

emriley84

My DS gets 4 bottles/day so I defrost 2 6oz bags. You can thaw them in the fridge and use them over 24hrs.

mrs_rob

Can I just take 6 oz of refrigerated milk and pour it in the freezer bag to freeze?

Melanie2003

mrs_rob:

Can I just take 6 oz of refrigerated milk and pour it in the freezer bag to freeze?

yes

Melanie2003

mrs_rob:

Thanks Melanie! Can I thaw the frozen milk just by placing it in the fridge so that I can use what I need for each feeding (less than 6 oz.), as long as all 6 oz. is used within 24 hours? Or do I have to thaw it in warm water?

fridge or water - depends how fast you need it.

Jen&Joe06

Just keep in mind it will take a long time to defrost in the fridge.