Breast milk storage bags.

seannasmommy16 · December 2013

What did you store your breast milk in?
What's the best storage bag/jug for a freezer and refrigerator?
Where can I find them for a good price?

Trying to stock up while I can since DH is getting a good Christmas bonus.

fireflygirl12 · December 2013

I got a bunch of Medela bags when I started, but they are super expensive. Once I ran out, I went with the Target brand bags and actually liked them better.

RedDawnsRevenge · December 2013

I had a lot of problems with the medela bags popping. Of course you don't know they've failed until you've got milk running everywhere. I then started pumping into bottles and pouring into Lansinoh bags, which go on sale vary often. The Lansinoh bags also freeze much flatter so they store more neatly and save room. Like all things frozen the less air in it the better so just squeeze out any head space air from whatever you use. Don't freeze in a jug or other large container. The smaller the volume being frozen, the better preservation of nutrients so aiming for 3-6oz bags is best. I always did 3-4oz bags as that's what DH requested after I returned to work. I wouldn't recommend freezing in bottles either as it leaves a lot of head air which leads to freezer burn, evap, and possible oxidation of nutrients, and the possibility of broken plastic in your hard pumped milk.

amhah09 · December 2013

I didn't like the Medela bags at all. I loved the Medela bottles for pumping and storing short-term in the refrigerator, but I loved the Lansinoh freezer bags.

ETA that I did pump into bottles and pour into the Lansinoh bags.

nebrasskagal · December 2013

Check with your insurance company. Mine provided a 90 day supply of bags with the free pump.

ksulli · December 2013

I used lansinoh last time, which seemed the most popular on the BFing board. Google search gift bag milk storage. You freeze the bags laying flat, then stack them in a gift bag with a slit at the bottom, when you need to use one, pull it oh of the slot and it will be the oldest one.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

I got honeysuckle bags because they had the best reviews in amazon at the time.

DemoDoll · December 2013

I liked the Lansinoh ones. I haven't tried any generic brands but I'll probably give those a shot this time. Last pregnancy I got a ton of hand me down bags froms friends so I didn't need to buy any.

ricekez · December 2013

I mostly used 2.5 oz Medela plastic tubes. They're sold in 12-packs and they're reusable. I also used the Lanisoh bags. Both of these are sold at stores like Target.

KatieKim0815 · December 2013

Honestly I much prefered the Medela bottles for fridge storing but I never had a big supply enough to freeze a bunch! So that was my preference. When we did freeze I preferred Medela bags. Gosh I wish I had a big enough supply to have this been a choice!

amhah09 · December 2013

ColleenSwerb said:
I use the Lasinoh bags.

This is the second time you've mentioned a "jug" in the refrigerator. That's not really how it works for MOST people. Most people don't have the kind of supply to pump a milk jug of milk to store in the fridge and pour into bottles. Most people pump a couple ounces, multiple times a day. You can pour those into a bottle to use at the next feeding, but it's more common to put it in a storage bag and freeze it. Dumping warm fresh milk into an already cooled jug can cause it to curdle (just like regular dairy products).

I didn't even pay attention to that. I don't even know how that would work. Even if I could pump a jug of milk I would still divvy it out into serving size bottles/bags for storage. I always stored in 3, 4, 5 oz sizes depending on how much baby was taking at the time. Pumping and dumping everything into one jug, like you said, will ruin the milk, but also seems super inconvenient. Then you'd have to swirl the whole jug, pour out X amount of ounces, heat it up, etc. and it would still have a shelf life.

thomas930 · December 2013

I use Lansinoh bags as well and froze them no more the 4oz at a time. Lay them flat to freeze and stored them in a gift bag (in the freezer) with a slit cut in the bottom so that it was easy to just pull a bag out.

I wouldn't store anything in a "jug" in the fridge.

Serenla · December 2013

ColleenSwerb said:
I use the Lasinoh bags.

This is the second time you've mentioned a "jug" in the refrigerator. That's not really how it works for MOST people. Most people don't have the kind of supply to pump a milk jug of milk to store in the fridge and pour into bottles. Most people pump a couple ounces, multiple times a day. You can pour those into a bottle to use at the next feeding, but it's more common to put it in a storage bag and freeze it. Dumping warm fresh milk into an already cooled jug can cause it to curdle (just like regular dairy products).

Imagine mistaking that when you're going for your morning cereal

.

Sarahjess06 · December 2013

I used lansinoh.

Maybe the "jug" she is talking about are the bottles?

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

People have referred to it but I'll state it more explicitly, it's better to store in small amounts. Certainly no more than four ounces and generally I liked freezing in two ounce portions. I could always thaw more than one bag. I froze a few bags early on slam full with like six ounces and it just led to waste, plus I think they're more likely to leak that way.

seannasmommy16 · December 2013

Okay no milk jug. I did see some containers on Amazon last night. Does any one have any experience useing these?

thomas930 · December 2013

Really your best bet is to freeze in storage bags, it's going to be the easiest to thaw since they are relatively thin. If you want to store in the fridge for a little while (day or two) just use the bottles you pumped into. It really doesn't have to be that difficult.

seannasmommy16 · December 2013

Okay thanks guys

LolaX2 · December 2013

I ended up having to EP last time and my favorite, worked best ad least expensive was lasinoh (spelling?). I would keep out enough for each day in the fridge and freeze the others. I would lay them flat in a plastic container to freeze then transfer the frozen bag in to groups of 10 in a larger ziplock bag and list the dates of the pumped milk on those bags as well as the milk storage bags.

My experience may be a little different form the norm as I EP'd and had a good double electric pump and a very good milk supply so I had a lot of extra milk and was able to have a lot frozen to give LO after I stopped pumping. Also tip I learned is do not fill the bag all the way, leave a little room for expansion as the milk freezes!

FWIW I hated the Medela bags - they were expensive, smaller and leaked a lot! also harder to store flat in the freezer!

LBStewart · December 2013

I did okay with the Medela bags. If possible, I would recommend freezing in bottles. DD was in the NICU for a few days and they gave me a million small bottles to pump into (They wouldn't let me reuse any). I froze my milk in 2 oz increments right in the bottle.

sweetmelissa0707 · December 2013

I used the lansinoh bags as well. Never had any issues with leaking or any trouble freezing them. I agree with PP, freeze in small amounts, watching breast milk go to waste will make you cry.

emanresu14 · December 2013

Anyone use platex nurser bottles and use the bags for storage? I really like the idea of getting all the air out of the bottle before feeding.

thomas930 · December 2013

emanresu14 said:

Anyone use platex nurser bottles and use the bags for storage? I really like the idea of getting all the air out of the bottle before feeding.

If you are talking about the drop-ins, I'm pretty sure you can't freeze milk in them because they dont seal themselves. Also, I'm pretty sure you aren't even supposed to force the air out of them anymore because of how they work now, they self vent when feeding.

I used them with both kids and never squeezed the air out and never had excessive gas issues.

JanMommy2under2 · December 2013

Playtex has a breastmilk storage system that I want to try. I hate how the bags always leak, either a hole gets in them or when pouring them out it makes a mess half the time. This is speaking from nanny experience. But I found these the other day on Amazon and am going to try it, since the system works with my Medela pump.

https://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Drop-Ins-System-Breast-Storage/dp/B0011UH78G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386869227&sr=8-1&keywords=playtex+breastmilk+storage

thomas930 · December 2013

houzesm1986 said:

Playtex has a breastmilk storage system that I want to try. I hate how the bags always leak, either a hole gets in them or when pouring them out it makes a mess half the time. This is speaking from nanny experience. But I found these the other day on Amazon and am going to try it, since the system works with my Medela pump.

https://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Drop-Ins-System-Breast-Storage/dp/B0011UH78G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386869227&sr=8-1&keywords=playtex+breastmilk+storage

I actually haven't seen that before, since they cap off then they would probably work.

amhah09 · December 2013

sweetmelissa0707 said:
I used the lansinoh bags as well. Never had any issues with leaking or any trouble freezing them. I agree with PP, freeze in small amounts, watching breast milk go to waste will make you cry.

My deep freezer came unplugged unbeknownst to me and I lost some 400 ounces of breast milk. I had a MAJOR meltdown.

RedDawnsRevenge · December 2013

amhah09 said:

sweetmelissa0707 said:
I used the lansinoh bags as well. Never had any issues with leaking or any trouble freezing them. I agree with PP, freeze in small amounts, watching breast milk go to waste will make you cry.
My deep freezer came unplugged unbeknownst to me and I lost some 400 ounces of breast milk. I had a MAJOR meltdown.

I know the pain. In July my deep freeze, which was out in the garage died. I had 1400oz roughly that we lost, my deep freeze only contained breast milk. This was the second time I had lost my stash. The first time my husband left the deep freeze door open. All I could do was call my mom who said: don't waste your time crying, just go pump. This time husband wants to wait to get another freezer until we can build a laundry room on our house, where we will put the freezer.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

That's where ours is. It barely fits and I've considered moving it to the shed many times, but I like it where I can see it.

sweetmelissa0707 · December 2013

amhah09 said:

sweetmelissa0707 said:
I used the lansinoh bags as well. Never had any issues with leaking or any trouble freezing them. I agree with PP, freeze in small amounts, watching breast milk go to waste will make you cry.
My deep freezer came unplugged unbeknownst to me and I lost some 400 ounces of breast milk. I had a MAJOR meltdown.

I would have freaked out! But also, I'm super jealous that you had that much spare. I'm hoping I can build up my supply even more this time.

pdilly2b · December 2013

amhah09 said:

I didn't like the Medela bags at all. I loved the Medela bottles for pumping and storing short-term in the refrigerator, but I loved the Lansinoh freezer bags. ETA that I did pump into bottles and pour into the Lansinoh bags.

I agree with this. I get them from Amazon and then submit the bills to my FSA (over the counter breastfeeding stuff, including breastfeeding bras and cream and the microwave cleaning bags can be covered). I also liked the Medela storage tubes that go up to like 2 oz for when I wanted to store smaller amounts in the fridge or freezer (generally used the bags for 4 oz or more) - https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Breastmilk-Freezing-Packaging-87061/dp/B0009XBX4K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386880081&sr=8-1&keywords=medela+storage+tubes

AcaAwkward · December 2013

Another vote for the Lansinoh bags. Never had a leak. And I'll ditto freezing in smaller amounts - I always regretted freezing more than 4 oz in one bag.

For fridge milk, I pumped into the little medela bottles that came with the pump (capped with a lid, not a nipple).

JanMommy2under2 · December 2013

yeah among all the prep work before baby gets here, we are planning on getting a second fridge/freezer combo, because right now there's not room for air in our little side by side freezer, let alone a small stash of breast milk.

I don't plan on freezing a ton of milk though, if I have an easy time with it, and make enough my plan is to donate it. Not sure the whole process for my area but I definitely want to look into it.

juzzo · December 2013

I used the milk storage trays and I LOVED them! I had a lot of extra pumped so it was really nice to have one ounce sticks I could defrost as many as I needed https://www.amazon.com/Sensible-Lines-Milk-Tray/dp/B001QGIPS6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1386904303&sr=8-5&keywords=Breast+milk+freezer+trays. They're a little expensive but the bags get spendy too

LyndseyLC · December 2013

I prefer the bags over the bottles. Easier storage takes up less space in freezer. I buy the lanosh or however it's spelt it's a light purple box

pbandjmom · December 2013

My insurance company is sending me a double electric pump + 90 storage bags. And they provide a replenishment supply of bags every 90 days as well. Good idea to call!

MamaFantastic · December 2013

you all are crazy. i have two very big jugs in which i store ALL my milk...

( o )( o )

chichi589 · December 2013

@nao618 she said she used formula with her DD.

Lurking on this post I appreciate all the input, suggestions, and experiences shared you all are wonderful!

thomas930 · December 2013

MamaFantastic said:

you all are crazy. i have two very big jugs in which i store ALL my milk...

( o )( o )

But can you honestly store those in the fridge or freezer

DemoDoll · December 2013

sandbridge1030 said:
My insurance company is sending me a double electric pump + 90 storage bags. And they provide a replenishment supply of bags every 90 days as well. Good idea to call!

That's pretty neat! I guess that would cover you if you only plan to pump once a day. I generally used 5-6 a day when I pumped at work.

newter135 · December 2013

So this may be a dumb question but, we have a vacuum sealer that can seal liquids air tight in bags, do you think I can just use the bags from that and vac seal them for the freezer or is there something special about the breast milk bags so I should use those instead?

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

That would be a lot more expensive, I think, and probably overkill. You could easily have 100+ bags of breast milk in the freezer at any given time.

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