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March 2014 Moms
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How much milk to store?

Khope87Khope87 member
in March 2014 Moms
I had planned to EBF, but unfortunately LO had big troubles staying on and didn't feed well.... So, we switched to pumping and bottle feeding what I pump. This is working out great and now I have a MUCH happier baby! I got mastitis badly as she wasn't feeding properly.... This is now sorted also after antibiotics and some TLC :)

Anyway, I was advised to pump every time she feeds (at least at the start!) to maintain a good supply and to try to drain completely so the mastitis clears up..... This has resulted in me having roughly double what I need every time I pump. So I'm freezing an average of 350ml a day, sometimes two bags full (so 2x350ml).

What I'm wondering is how much do I store?! My freezer is getting very full!! We are eating freezer food most days to ensure we have enough room for milk.... I will be donating back to my local hospital (in uk, so not sure how it works elsewhere) but can't till antibiotics have left my system and LO is 12weeks old (their rules!), but am I going nuts with storing and should just chuck some?

Thanks!
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Re: How much milk to store?

  • Khope87Khope87 member
    This is what I was thinking, and I am so greatfull I have enough! But it's getting a bit redic in my freezer haha. It's a bit of a standing joke between my husband and I..... :) guess I will just keep going till I really can't fit any more in!
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  • dancer7889dancer7889 member
    I definitely wouldn't throw any away! When I pump, I usually also get about twice as much as she eats, but that has come in handy several times. When I was sick, I produced practically no milk for 12 hours so we used up some extra from them. When I go to school, I can only pump once in between classes but she eats 2-3 times while I'm gone so she may eat more than I pump those days. When you go out, you may not get to pump every time she eats so you'll miss a pumping session here and there. Situations like these make having extra milk 100% worth it taking over your freezer!

    When your mastitis clears up, you could try eliminating one pumping session a day to slowly reduce your supply.

    Kinley Diane
    Born 2/4/14
    Weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long

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  • aLsMay24aLsMay24 member
    I'd definitely get a deep freeze if possible. I would never toss even an ounce because you don't know how your supply will hold up or how long you will want to continue to pump and the more you save the sooner you can quit pumping but continue to give bm!
    Married - 5/2008
    DS #1 - Born 9/2011
    DS #2 - EDD 3/2014
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  • mhilpisch10mhilpisch10 member
    I would not dump any! I am hoping to breast feed for the first year and to have a good supply so I only have to breast feed for 10 months and then I have enough breast milk left over for the last couple months. If you have parents or in laws close I would honestly see if you can freeze some at their place. I am running out of space too and will either be buying a deep freezer or asking my mom if I can store some in hers. Good luck!
    Married 6-1-13
    Sebastian 3-11-14
    Simon 5-2-15
    Baby #3 Due 9-29-16
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  • clo1982clo1982 member
    I had this 'problem' with dd and it is a great one to have!! I agree to see if you can use a relative's freezer if they are close. Or you could cut back your pumping sessions so you are doing one or two less per day. Eventually pumping gets really burdensome so it's awesome to have a huge stash in the freezer for when you are done with the pump so your baby can still have bm.
    I<img [url=http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers][img]http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1a1d2b.aspx[/img][/url]
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  • ProudMommy030614ProudMommy030614 member
    I am in the same boat! I cut out the middle of the night pump and it didn't cause any problems for me. I still pump double of what we use everyday!
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  • Khope87Khope87 member
    Thanks everyone - we are hoping to invest in an extra freezer come the weekend! For some unknown reason (lack of sleep!) we hadn't even considered storing excess so I could finish pumping a month or so earlier than we planned!! This is definitely an attractive idea!! Duh! I only saw my freezer stash as something to use if I was away from LO for any period or I was ill or supply went low.... Not if I wanted to quit earlier. Pumping is by no means an easy option!! So wish feeding had worked out :(
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