Bottles at daycare

Diver10 · February 2013

So I'm starting to think about when I have to leave LO at daycare all day... which I'm very sad about. I EP and she takes bottles. At home, we make 4oz bottles and just make sure they make it back in the fridge before 1 hour and let her finish the bottle at the next feed. I'm pretty sure daycare wont do that. Sometimes she eats 2 oz and sometimes 3 every 2 hours. Do I really have to make 4 3oz bottles for daycare (assuming a 6-8 hour day) and just hope she eats 3 oz each feed? How do you guys handle bottles at daycare and getting the least amount wasted but make sure theres enough?

watermellens · February 2013

I think the general rule (I've read on kellymom) says 1 oz for every hour you're apart - so only 6-8 oz for 6-8 hours. I'd definitely send a little more just in case, but what makes you think that day care wouldn't refrigerate the unused milk for you?

Diver10 · February 2013

So my daycare says we are responsible for bringing prepared bottles that are labelled. Which makes me think they wont do the whole "pour out x oz each feeding from one big supply" thing. Which to me means she needs to have bottles with the "right" amount in them. Then, after she's drank from a bottle, you're technically not supposed to use the remaining of that milk, right? Thats what I was told with formula at least. "While most health professionals will tell you to discard the unused breast milk, it's really hard to throw it out!". So my assumption is that my daycare will follow this rule. I guess I'll have to call them and find out.

RissKay · February 2013

Diver10:
So my daycare says we are responsible for bringing prepared bottles that are labelled. Which makes me think they wont do the whole "pour out x oz each feeding from one big supply" thing. Which to me means she needs to have bottles with the "right" amount in them. Then, after she's drank from a bottle, you're technically not supposed to use the remaining of that milk, right? Thats what I was told with formula at least. "While most health professionals will tell you to discard the unused breast milk, it's really hard to throw it out!". So my assumption is that my daycare will follow this rule. I guess I'll have to call them and find out.

Formula is VERY different from BM. For us, we'll reuse the breast milk if it's the same day and hasn't been refrigerated/heated up a second time. Otherwise, we toss it. I think I'm cautious, though. BM can be left out for up to 6 hours as per the LC I spoke to and be fine to eat.

I would just get one of those small zip-top insulated coolers and pack the bottles in that unless you speak directly to the daycare workers. You can always ask them what they prefer; they may rather not have to deal with several bottles, either!

g8trkim · February 2013

If it's a daycare center rather than home they will likely make you send prepared labeled bottles and will throw any extra out after an hour. That's how ours is. I understand it's a bummer because BM is like gold but it's a policy set in place for the safety of everyone.

bartkj03 · February 2013

My daycare will let us bring in the bottles prepared and if she doesn't drink it all they will lable it TAKE HOME and put it back in the fridge. They cannot offer it again but they will send it home for us. They also will let us bring in a container of breast milk and empty bottles and then just warm as needed. I would have them start with two ounces and then warm another ounce if needed.

ObLaDi · February 2013

I thought that the reason you had to chuck any unused milk after an hour had to do with the milk mixing with oral bacteria, accelerating its spoiling. Refrigerating it again wouldn't help with that.

I'm new to this too, though, so I could be misunderstanding.

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