System for freezing BM flat

kujess1 · February 2014

If anyone is interested, I've done a lot of trial and error, and I have found what I think is the best system for freezing BM storage bags flat and saving freezer space. I use the First Years Organizer https://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Breastflow-Organizer/dp/B000K4YSVI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393136163&sr=8-1&keywords=first+years+breastmilk+storage. Actually, my system requires 2 of these organizers to work right. Each organizer gives you a little white separator to put in between bags to prevent them from sticking to each other when freezing. This organizer is spring-loaded so it compresses the bags and that what helps them freeze flat. The bags freeze so much flatter the way I do it than when I used to just lay them flat to freeze. So whenever I freeze a BM bag (I use Dr Brown's, but I think this organizer will fit almost any bag brand), I put a white separator in front AND behind the bag. This is why 2 of these organizers are required, because each one only gives you one separator. If you don't do it this way with one in front and one behind, the back of the spring-loaded part compresses the bag weird and it ends up not freezing flat. This organizer also only works right if you freeze the bags IN the organizer. When I bought it, I had already frozen a bunch of BM bags by laying them flat, and then when I tried to put them (already frozen) into this organizer, they were a little too wide so I had to put them in a little diagonally, and they didn't fit nearly as many bags as when you freeze them in the organizer. So then, after you have frozen the bags in the spring-loaded part, you can then transfer these bags to the lid of the organizer for storage. With the way I do it, I can fit a little over 200 oz in each container (100 in the spring-loaded part, and 100 in the lid). Just thought I would share my little system I've come up with because I wish I had started doing it this way from the beginning and I would have been able to save more freezer space! Also, I have no affiliation with First Years whatsoever, I just think if their product is used "creatively," it's the best way to freeze flat and save space. I think I'll email the company and tell them my system, I think they should put that in their instructions to do it that way, and they should include more separators with each organizer, then you could freeze more bags at one time!

HopeNotLost · February 2014

I just laid my bags flat in the freezer, and they froze just fine that way. I wouldn't do more than 4 oz per bag though, just because it thaws faster with less in each bag. I had a fancy schmancy storage system--empty girl scout cookie cases.

ktpaladino · February 2014

theresat858 said:
Wow that sounds really complicated...

I just froze bags flat by laying them flat, and then stacked them in a gift bag with a hole in the bottom for accessing the older milk first. Only involves buying lansinoh freezer bags and (cheap) gift bags (the $1 ones work fine). Just write the date on the bags as you freeze them.

This is my system also

kujess1 · February 2014

Yeah, I guess it sounds complicated...but it's really not! I used to freeze the bags "flat" too, but I've found this way, with the compression, each bag is about half the thickness compared to if it were frozen flat. So I've been able to fit so many more bags in the same amount of space since doing it this way. That's really helpful for me as freezer space is limited. I think I need to make a YouTube video to show how much flatter they freeze this way! Anyways, maybe someone who finds they are quickly running out of freezer space will find this helpful!

beatingIF · February 2014

Add me to the gift bag method.

kujess1 · February 2014

karissa2009 said:

I'll actually say thank you. Living in a tiny apartment, we don't have room for a deep freeze and our fridge/freezer is actually smaller than average. Since I had a small stash to begin with and now usually pump more than baby takes, I have 100-200 oz frozen, taking up way too much space. I'll have to look into this...

Nope Dr Brown's, and nope, no air. When you freeze the bags "flat," they sort of round out a little, and then the bags don't lay totally flat against each other. But when they're squished between 2 flat surfaces, they freeze COMPLETELY flat. Omg, I'm gonna have to take a picture in comparison. I swear, I'm not BS crazy. For me, it works SO much better than just laying them flat to freeze.

kujess1 · February 2014

Oops meant to quote @theresat858

kujess1 · February 2014

karissa2009 said:

I'll actually say thank you. Living in a tiny apartment, we don't have room for a deep freeze and our fridge/freezer is actually smaller than average. Since I had a small stash to begin with and now usually pump more than baby takes, I have 100-200 oz frozen, taking up way too much space. I'll have to look into this...

You're welcome! Like I said, I hope it helps somebody! I've tried several different methods (including the kiindle organizer, and just freezing flat and putting in a large tupperware), and this seems to save me quite a bit of space.

kujess1 · February 2014

kujess1 · February 2014

Ok, it bugged me enough to go take pictures. Both bags, same number of oz. Bag on the left, frozen flat, bag on the right, frozen by compression the way I described above. Maybe it's just me, but whenever I laid them flat in the freezer to freeze, they would end up all irregular and rounded, and not lie flat against each other. The way I freeze them now, as you can see, the milk is dispersed evenly and they lie TOTALLY flat against one another, thus allowing me to fit so many more oz in the same amount of space!

jennyelf · February 2014

I found that freezing the bags on a cookie sheet and then putting a second cookie sheet on top of the bags to work well. I agree that just placing the bags flat to freeze normally made them a bit bulgy, so the 2 cookie sheet method worked well for me to get them flatter.

kujess1 · February 2014

AmyG* said:

jennyelf said:

I found that freezing the bags on a cookie sheet and then putting a second cookie sheet on top of the bags to work well. I agree that just placing the bags flat to freeze normally made them a bit bulgy, so the 2 cookie sheet method worked well for me to get them flatter.

I was gonna recommend the cookie sheet thing too. If the bags aren't freezing flat you can lay them flat and put a cookie sheet on top and if you need weight add a bag of frozen peas or something. The other thing is that I've found when freezing things like applesauce if you are doing a lot and you want them to freeze flat, I've found that a certain size fits nice in like a box from a small cake mix or smaller bags fit in something like a kraft mac n cheese box. then you can freeze them standing up instead of laying down but they still come out flat. does that make sense? you could experiment with a couple bags of water first and then if it works out try it with breastmilk.

Good ideas! I just don't have room in my freezer for 2 cookie sheets...

VitaLuna · February 2014

For free and without anything fancy, my bags freeze flat on a mini cookie sheet or box of frozen something. It's handy, no extra cost, no fancy organizer.

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