Not sure if this is the right place to ask....(long)

Re: Not sure if this is the right place to ask....(long)

• Lucrez1a

  July 2010

  I don't normally post on this board - but i'll help you out as much as I can!

  1. I would like to pump and store my milk in bags in the freezer. Is it okay for me to choose any bottle that I like since I don't plan on pumping directly into the bottle? (We are either going to go with Avent or Dr. Browns)

  Yes, you can choose any bottle that you like.  Most pumps come with bottles that you can pump into, and then pour the milk into the bags - this is what I did.  Or you can pump directly into the bag (this might be a bit messy tho)

  2. How will I thaw the milk to pour it into the bottle? Heat it under warm water? Thaw in fridge?

  You can put the bag in the fridge the night before, and it should be thawed out by the next day.  If not, heating under warm water does the trick too. 

  3.We do not have a dishwasher. Do I need a bottle sanitizer or will a good cleaning with a bottle brush, soap and hot water be good enough?

  You don't need a bottle sanitizer.  I don't have one...I just wash with warm soapy water and the bottle brush.  Works perfect!
  To sanitize you can boil the bottles & nipples in the beginning prior to first use.  And every once in awhile after that. 

   4. Do I need a bottle warmer? I am trying not to get too much "extra" stuff as we do not have a lot of room.

  I have one, but used it once.  I just warm the bottles/bags, by putting them in a bowl of warm water. 

  Hope this helps a  bit.

  

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• MBandBud member

  July 2010

  RykersMommy:

  1. I would like to pump and store my milk in bags in the freezer. Is it okay for me to choose any bottle that I like since I don't plan on pumping directly into the bottle? (We are either going to go with Avent or Dr. Browns)

  I pump into a bottle but store in bags; most bottle are compatible with pumps I think, so yes, you should be fine.  FWIW, I had a hard time getting a good measure of milk in bags, so I like using bottles if just for that.  But you could always pour from bag to bottle to bag if the bottle wasn't compat. although that will get old.  So trial and error.  

  2. How will I thaw the milk to pour it into the bottle? Heat it under warm water? Thaw in fridge? 

  Either is fine, depending on how much time you have.  I recommend storing in small quantities - 3-4oz at most...bags are cheap enough and then you don't thaw/use more than you need.   

  3.We do not have a dishwasher. Do I need a bottle sanitizer or will a good cleaning with a bottle brush, soap and hot water be good enough?

  A good cleaning will be fine, but a PITA.  You can use sanitizing bags, assuming you have a microwave.  They may be pricey but likely worth the difference.  I've been handwashing/dishwasher mine, but it's a lot of work for every time you pump.  Some people put their pump parts in the fridge between sessions w/o washing -- this just doesn't feel right to me but I am sure it's fine. 

   4. Do I need a bottle warmer? I am trying not to get too much "extra" stuff as we do not have a lot of room. I don't and don't think you need it.

   That is all I can think of, but if you have any other advice I would greatly appreciate it!!! TIA LADIES!!! Good luck!!

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• ella.mabel member

  July 2010

  1. I would like to pump and store my milk in bags in the freezer. Is it okay for me to choose any bottle that I like since I don't plan on pumping directly into the bottle? (We are either going to go with Avent or Dr. Browns)

  I pump into Medela bottles and pour into storage bags. It's good to have a couple of types of bottles, since you don't know which LO will like.  We tried 4 different ones and she finally decided she liked the Playtex Vent Aire.

  2. How will I thaw the milk to pour it into the bottle? Heat it under warm water? Thaw in fridge?

  I just leave the frozen bag on the counter to thaw, or in the fridge, or if it needs thawed quickly, just ina  bowl of warm water.

  3.We do not have a dishwasher. Do I need a bottle sanitizer or will a good cleaning with a bottle brush, soap and hot water be good enough?

  I don't have a dishwasher either.  I wash everything with hot soapy water and a bottle brush and i sanitize once a week. 

   4. Do I need a bottle warmer? I am trying not to get too much "extra" stuff as we do not have a lot of room.

  I didn't use the bottle warmer for a long time.  Since at first i was mostly breastfeeding, i didn't need it.  My mom comes over 2 x a week to babysit and she likes to use it.  You can probably hold off on getting this.

   

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• cindyhow

  July 2010

  1.  I pump into the medela bottles, but Dr. Browns also fit the medela pump. If you are pumping for the next day or within a few days- no need to freeze (fresh is best!). It's easy to use the bottles that came w/the pump for pumping & a slow flow bottle for daycare.  It's easier to measure in bottles than bags.

  2. Thaw overnight in fridge - thawed milk must be used w/in 24 hours.

  3. We wash every day with soap and hot water & brush (boiled all parts to start).  Lots to wash with daily pumping and daycare bottles! I also have dish gloves so I can use really hot water.

  4. Nope!

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• 7.14.7bride

  July 2010

  1. I would like to pump and store my milk in bags in the freezer. Is it okay for me to choose any bottle that I like since I don't plan on pumping directly into the bottle? (We are either going to go with Avent or Dr. Browns)

  Yep. You just pour the defrosted milk into the bottle.  We use Playtex Drop ins.
  

  2. How will I thaw the milk to pour it into the bottle? Heat it under warm water? Thaw in fridge?

  We thaw ours in the fridge.  If we're in a bid, then we defrost with warm water.
  

  3.We do not have a dishwasher. Do I need a bottle sanitizer or will a good cleaning with a bottle brush, soap and hot water be good enough?

  I just soak everything the sink with hot, soapy water.
  

   4. Do I need a bottle warmer? I am trying not to get too much "extra" stuff as we do not have a lot of room.

  Don't have one, never used one, can't say that we've ever needed one!
  

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• RykersMommy

  July 2010

  Thanks so much ladies! I feel so much better about the whole situation now

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