Wasted Freezer BM Stash

Keckers · August 2014

I'm devastated that my 700oz freezer stash of BM has likely gone to waste. DH, LO, and I moved halfway across country this week. LO and I flew while DH drove out with the moving truck. Upon arrival this afternoon, DH informed me that he wasn't able to put my frozen BM stash on dry ice, but that he kept the milk "really cold" with ice cubes in a large cooler.

I haven't surveyed the damage yet, but is there any fixing this situation? If there are still some frozen crystals can the milk be refrozen? I'm beside myself, ladies. I need some hope!

Avion22 · August 2014

If it's melted at all, I wouldn't use it. Some people say that if it's still "mostly" frozen, then it's okay....you could always try to re-freeze it, then thaw it and do a smell check.....but honestly I don't think I'd take the chance with it.

(I had to thaw and dump about 150 ounces last week because we're moving from the UK back to the US and there was absolutely no way to transport it with us....so I kind of feel your pain. But 700oz? I hope your husband buys you something nice....)

TallaB · August 2014

Noooo. Why wouldn't he put it on dry ice

I've *heard* that if its still mostly slushy, you can refeeze. But if its more melted than that, no. I'm not in the habit of refreezing anything that's thawed (food or milk), so I probably wouldn't do it.

I'm sorry. 700oz is such a waste

allyandmike24 · August 2014

Aww I'm so sorry that happened. Maybe this will help? https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/frozen-milk-power-outage/

Keckers · August 2014

Thanks ladies. I returned to work a couple weeks ago and my supply has tanked. I'm making enough for my little guy but that's it. This milk would have bought us an extra month after stopping pumping. The worst part is, he doesn't understand my sadness about this at all.

AcaAwkward · August 2014

Ugggg I'm devastated for you! I'd probably try and refreeze any bags that are mostly frozen, and then smell test them as you defrost.

RedDawnsRevenge · August 2014

Kelly mom says if it's still slushy it can be refrozen!

Keckers · August 2014

What should I be smelling for @AcaAwkward‌? Or will it be pretty obvious?

BGGP9196 · August 2014

Oh my I want to cry for you!! Crossing my fingers that most of it stayed frozen or at least slushy!

AcaAwkward · August 2014

It will smell sour, just like cow's milk, if it's bad!

Keckers · August 2014

@BGGP9196‌ Unfortunately only a handful had some slush left

I stuck those in the freezer. Hoping they'll be ok. I asked DH to dispose of the other milk while I'm out of the house. It's just too painful to pour them out myself. Ugh, I hate how dramatic I sound. I should be grateful that I can produce enough for my LO. I'm lucky to be able to do even that!

Rogue237 · August 2014

You have every right to be devasted! DH accidentally spilled an ounce yesterday and "I'm sorry"-ed me about 20 times since I am struggling with pumping enough. Any milk lost is tragic - go have a cocktail!

knotty-girl · August 2014

I'm so bummed for you. I remember you posting about transporting and was totally impressed by your stash.

Keckers · August 2014

@knotty-girl‌ I should have taken the advice from @RedDawnsRevenge‌ and so many others in that post and donated it. Ah, live and learn!

RedDawnsRevenge · August 2014

I lost my stash twice. The first time was before I went back to work with DD1 and DH left the deep freeze door open. The second time was also in July a year later when the freezer died entirely, and it was full.

Have yourself an ugly cry then get out the pump.

Keckers · August 2014

@RedDawnsRevenge‌ Ugly cry... Check! I think I'll try my hand at power pumping tonight with a side of lactation cookies. And beer!

RedDawnsRevenge · August 2014

All the beer!!!

dmosquera4 · August 2014

Ugh he that sucks, my husband doesn't get it either he is like why do we have so much.... I could kill him if that were to happen to me I hope you get your stash back!

Alissadsuggs · August 2014

I work at the Mother's milk bank of north Texas and the guidelines we have are as long as there is some "ice" in the bag you can refreeze it. Slushy is ok too

Boston*bride · August 2014

I am so, so sorry!

I would try to salvage anything even a little bit slushy, which is sounds like you did. And since you can get 24 hours out of the defrosted milk, I would feed that to LO for the next 24 hours and freeze everything you pump for that timeframe. Anything to avoid throwing all of it out!

And....and this is just me....but if it never reached room temp and remained legitimately cold, I would refreeze it. Honestly. Very few studies have been done on re-frozen breastmilk, and of the ones that have, none identified unsafe levels of bacteria. But that's just me. And 700 ounces? That's tragic.

Boston*bride · August 2014

Sidebar: Your baby is so cute!!

Keckers · August 2014

Thank you @boston*bride! In my haste, I totally forgot about feeding LO the thawed milk. However, it's been out of the freezer and "on ice" since late Friday night. The fully thawed bags might not even be safe for consumption at this point. The bags at the bottom of the ice chest were a little slushy so I saved those.

I'm so grateful for the support of this board and ladies who get it! My family thinks I'm overreacting so it's nice to feel validated by those who understand the length we go to and sacrifices that are made to feed our LO's.

Teresa1896 · August 2014

Holy shit. I think I would make DH sleep in the guest room for a few nights if he did that. That's so much time and energy literally down the drain! My condolences. But yeah, I'm not nuts about food safety rules. I would refreeze it- worst case scenario, it's bad when you try to use it. Best case, you salvaged some. You'll know if it's bad. Couldn't hurt to try!

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