Freezer stash -- when is enough enough?

LacieMI

Any advice regarding when a freezer stash is full enough before I could look into either donating or decreasing pumping?  I currently have about 600 oz saved and am still freezing 12-20oz per day.   I started back to work this week, working part time and we didn't tap into the freezer stash at all -- in fact, it grew significantly (I think because I work in a hospital and use the Symphony at work and pumped  more than LO drank in bottles).  My goal is for LO to have BM for a full year and I can pump and BF as long as possible & necessary. 

I know LO and I will likely go through various phases that will require tapping into the frozen supply, but I also don't want any to go to waste.  I am starting to wonder if I am over-doing it. Thoughts?

Thanks!

morrigan08

I had about that much at one point as a stash. Was looking into donation, but decided to keep it. As she got older and we went on vacation, my pumping supply decreased and had to start going to the stash at times. It also helped me start to wean from the pump earlier, around 11 months.

and if you are putting it in the deep freezer it can keep for quite a while!

EllaSmella

I think you have more than enough. I went back to work with a 200 oz stash, and I've had to work hard to keep it rotated and avoid having to throw anything away. Unless you have reason to suspect you might have supply issues, I think you should be just fine. My LO is nine months old, and I've hardly touched my stash at all, just rotated it to keep it from getting too old.

Temp103605875001677

I started back to work with my stash around 600. I donated 300 ounces 3 weeks after returning to work. I donate everytime my stash gets over 400. I have been back to work since February and have not dipped into my freezer stash yet. I could try and drop a pump session, but I like being able to donate.

flyer23

You have plenty

You should never need to tap into your frozen supply significantly. Maybe a few ounces here or there, but in general, if you're not pumping enough to meet your LO's needs, you need to increase your pumping output, not use frozen milk. See https://www.workandpump.com/freezerstash.htm for more info.

If you travel frequently without your baby, or anticipate taking medications or having surgery where you won't be able to nurse for a while, you might want to have a little more of a freezer stash. But to give you an idea, the most DS ever took in a day was 30 oz. I do travel for work quite a bit, so I tried to keep about 4-5 days' worth (i.e. 120-150 oz) in the freezer when he was nursing full time. You have about 20 days' worth of milk right now, so unless 3-week business trips are common for you, you are fine!

I'd definitely look into donating. I did that this last time around, and it was very rewarding.