Milk Storage

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Quick question - I have ordered the Medela breast pump. Can I use any sort of milk storage bags with that? The Lansinoh ones are a much better deal (more for less money) compared to the Medela ones (less for more money). I know there are adapters and such, but I have no clue how any of that works, and I'm not looking forward to trying to figure out all the parts a breast pump comes with. I'm sure it's easier than I think, I just tend to overthink things and make it all too complicated!

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mamavbs · September 2015

I don't have that particular breast pump but usually the milk is collected in the bottle so you can then pour it wherever you like... (Be careful, pouring it on the floor will be the actual end of the world!) so I shouldn't think it matters what bags you put it in to. Just check the amount they can store and follow the instructions for the individual bags. I have the lanisoh ones for the same reason, saw them on special. I have an Avent pump.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

mamavbs said:

I don't have that particular breast pump but usually the milk is collected in the bottle so you can then pour it wherever you like... (Be careful, pouring it on the floor will be the actual end of the world!) so I shouldn't think it matters what bags you put it in to. Just check the amount they can store and follow the instructions for the individual bags. I have the lanisoh ones for the same reason, saw them on special. I have an Avent pump.

you don't pump directly into the bag? Well, look how smart I am! I thought you pumped into the bag.

willashbaby · September 2015

I'm planning on using the Kiinde system because you pump right into the bags and then they go right into a bottle. They're the most expensive but it seems like they save a lot of time and washing. Worth it IMO.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

willashbaby said:

I'm planning on using the Kiinde system because you pump right into the bags and then they go right into a bottle. They're the most expensive but it seems like they save a lot of time and washing. Worth it IMO.

I have been debating about the Kiindle system, but have decided to wait to see how breastfeeding goes for the first few months before splurging. I just feel like pumping right into the bag would be much easier. I'm assuming Medela has adaptars for the Kiindle? or vice versa?

onebadmotha · September 2015

I ordered the Kiinde system a while back, when there was a sweet deal on Zulily (definitely check around, perhaps it's still there). One of my good friends had a baby in July, and is LOVING it! She says hers came with adapters for her Medela pump, so she pumps right into the bag.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

kayemjay2 said:

I ordered the Kiinde system a while back, when there was a sweet deal on Zulily (definitely check around, perhaps it's still there). One of my good friends had a baby in July, and is LOVING it! She says hers came with adapters for her Medela pump, so she pumps right into the bag.

I'm pretty sure it is worth the splurge. I heard it was $50 on zulily once. I will have to keep an eye out!

willashbaby · September 2015

I need the pumping for work, the Kiinde is the easiest thing I've found. I'll BF at home as long as LO can handle switching back and forth. I got my kit for $50 (including the warmer, the big kit) from a deal directly from Kiinde. I plan on buying the bags from buy buy baby with the 20% coupons. Whatever they cost it's cheaper than formula and less cleaning so as long as my boobs cooperate I'm down! The make adapters for any major pump brand, I'm using Spectra.

Cook3133 · September 2015

You might be able to get bags that attach to it, but just using the bottles (and almost any bottle can work that is the same size screw top, doesn't have to be the medela, I used a cheap one from Walmart as a back up) and then yes you can use any bag to store in

. I always found the lanisohl to be the cheapest. But I read somewhere you can get some in more bulk on Amazon I can't rember the brand. But worth it if you pump a lot

nmwheel1 · September 2015

I have the medela swing pump and the babies r us brand milk storage bags. I also just pumped into the bottles than poured from the bottle into the bag. It seemed to work great for me last time so I'll most likely do the same!

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Thanks for the advice ladies!

wedding crazed · September 2015

I always pumped into bottles and then poured into bags as I was too nervous about the bag spilling or something while pumping. In that case it doesn't matter what brand. Also, Medela has some plastic re-usable freezing things that you can put the nipple right on and feed from it also. Loved those, however they only hold 2.5 oz. each.

oliarnmom1517 · September 2015

willashbaby said:
I need the pumping for work, the Kiinde is the easiest thing I've found. I'll BF at home as long as LO can handle switching back and forth. I got my kit for $50 (including the warmer, the big kit) from a deal directly from Kiinde. I plan on buying the bags from buy buy baby with the 20% coupons. Whatever they cost it's cheaper than formula and less cleaning so as long as my boobs cooperate I'm down! The make adapters for any major pump brand, I'm using Spectra.

The kit without the warmer was $30.. I ordered the big box with the warmer and it was $50.. Totally worth it!!

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

oorl11052015 said:

I need the pumping for work, the Kiinde is the easiest thing I've found. I'll BF at home as long as LO can handle switching back and forth. I got my kit for $50 (including the warmer, the big kit) from a deal directly from Kiinde. I plan on buying the bags from buy buy baby with the 20% coupons. Whatever they cost it's cheaper than formula and less cleaning so as long as my boobs cooperate I'm down! The make adapters for any major pump brand, I'm using Spectra.
The kit without the warmer was $30.. I ordered the big box with the warmer and it was $50.. Totally worth it!!

I am now looking at the kit at target for $40, doesn't include a warmer. I really don't care for the warmer so maybe that would just be a good investment for me.

willashbaby · September 2015

@grapesoda1111 the only reason I got the warmer was bc the kit was only $50, I don't think I would have paid $100 for it. My Mom will be watching LO and I figured it might make her life easier with heating the breast milk. It is more fragile than formula when it comes to heating and this heater is made specifically not to damage breast milk, frozen or fridge temp and it heats it just right. I'm also getting the less expensive kit for my home, one kit for her and one for me.

oliarnmom1517 · September 2015

willashbaby said:
@grapesoda1111 the only reason I got the warmer was bc the kit was only $50, I don't think I would have paid $100 for it. My Mom will be watching LO and I figured it might make her life easier with heating the breast milk. It is more fragile than formula when it comes to heating and this heater is made specifically not to damage breast milk, frozen or fridge temp and it heats it just right. I'm also getting the less expensive kit for my home, one kit for her and one for me.

That's the only reason I got the warmer was to keep it at my moms! I plan on just using a small croc pot full of warm water to warm up bottles..

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Just realized it is called a Kiinde and not Kiindle.

I've literally thought it was Kiindle for 8 months.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

oorl11052015 said:

@grapesoda1111 the only reason I got the warmer was bc the kit was only $50, I don't think I would have paid $100 for it. My Mom will be watching LO and I figured it might make her life easier with heating the breast milk. It is more fragile than formula when it comes to heating and this heater is made specifically not to damage breast milk, frozen or fridge temp and it heats it just right. I'm also getting the less expensive kit for my home, one kit for her and one for me.
That's the only reason I got the warmer was to keep it at my moms! I plan on just using a small croc pot full of warm water to warm up bottles..

Yeah that's a good idea, or just a bowl with warm water. I've heard people aren't even warming formula or breastmilk though now a days. Not sure if that is recommended or not?

oliarnmom1517 · September 2015

grapesoda1111 said:

oorl11052015 said:

willashbaby said:
@grapesoda1111 the only reason I got the warmer was bc the kit was only $50, I don't think I would have paid $100 for it. My Mom will be watching LO and I figured it might make her life easier with heating the breast milk. It is more fragile than formula when it comes to heating and this heater is made specifically not to damage breast milk, frozen or fridge temp and it heats it just right. I'm also getting the less expensive kit for my home, one kit for her and one for me.
That's the only reason I got the warmer was to keep it at my moms! I plan on just using a small croc pot full of warm water to warm up bottles..

Yeah that's a good idea, or just a bowl with warm water. I've heard people aren't even warming formula or breastmilk though now a days. Not sure if that is recommended or not?

Some babies prefer warm.. My mom said I preferred mine warm and my middle brother would take it however and my youngest brother never wanted to eat.. It all depends on baby! My friend works at a daycare and said they have a croc pot that they leave on low all day and when they need to feed the babies that prefer it warm they place it in the water for a few minutes then feed.. I thought it was really smart!

mamavbs · September 2015

@grapesoda1111 haha I think you can! I'm just talking from my experience. The reason why I don't pump straight in to the bag is sometimes I pump just a little bit, a few ounces. So I like to store it in the bottle, in the fridge until I transfer a whole feed in to the bag and then the freezer! I just find it easier, plus the bags are sterilised ready so I don't like the thought of opening and shutting them. I know you do the same with a bottle... But I find the bags are more delicate

mamavbs · September 2015

Also mamas, a cup of hot water from the kettle will warm your milk up just fine

nmwheel1 · September 2015

mamavbs said:
@grapesoda1111 haha I think you can! I'm just talking from my experience. The reason why I don't pump straight in to the bag is sometimes I pump just a little bit, a few ounces. So I like to store it in the bottle, in the fridge until I transfer a whole feed in to the bag and then the freezer! I just find it easier, plus the bags are sterilised ready so I don't like the thought of opening and shutting them. I know you do the same with a bottle... But I find the bags are more delicate

This is why I pump into the bottle first as well! I would try to freeze 4 to 5 oz. per bag. In the end my daughter refused every single bottle tho, maybe this baby will take a bottle once in a while!

Gapeach83 · September 2015

mamavbs said:
@grapesoda1111 haha I think you can! I'm just talking from my experience. The reason why I don't pump straight in to the bag is sometimes I pump just a little bit, a few ounces. So I like to store it in the bottle, in the fridge until I transfer a whole feed in to the bag and then the freezer! I just find it easier, plus the bags are sterilised ready so I don't like the thought of opening and shutting them. I know you do the same with a bottle... But I find the bags are more delicate

Same here! I used Landisnoh bags with no issues. I will use them again.

MoRay05 · September 2015

I used the target brand storage bags. I would pump into bottles first so I could measure it out then pour the milk into the storage bags. Also, I would recommend laying the bags flat in the freezer. Once they are frozen then you can stand them up in a tall container and arrange them by date.

VexedMommy · September 2015

I never needed to warm a bottle with my DD.

I plan on getting the Kiinde system without the warmer. It's only about $40 at Target and Target has sales all the time.

RobinaCee · September 2015

Lurking here. This is all great info as I'm a surrogate mum and will be pumping and freezing all my milk to send to the surrogate baby. I've never pumped before, so thank you!

mrsaragon · September 2015

As others have posted, they do have bags you can attach to the pump so it goes straight into the bag. If you you don't get those, try Target's brand Up and Up. I got a pack of 50 I think for $8. Says on the box it's comparable to Lansinoh bags and Medela and are like half the price.

VexedMommy · September 2015

Oh! Also look into Milkies Milk Savers. I haven't used them personally, but they sound great and I've heard good things from women who have used them. It's basically a bag that you attach to the breast you aren't currently using to feed baby (or pumping from if you're using a single pump) and it catches the leaks. I've heard once your supply is established you can get at least a few ounces per feeding that way.

mamavbs · September 2015

VexedMommy said:
Oh! Also look into Milkies Milk Savers. I haven't used them personally, but they sound great and I've heard good things from women who have used them. It's basically a bag that you attach to the breast you aren't currently using to feed baby (or pumping from if you're using a single pump) and it catches the leaks. I've heard once your supply is established you can get at least a few ounces per feeding that way.

I've heard of these too! I was an absolute cow with both of my kids, so much milk. Would be great not to waste it

elbou · September 2015

I rarely used the bags, but the few times I did, I used the Lansinoh bags as well. I don't know if they still do this, but the last time I needed them, the large box of Lansinoh breast pads came with about 5 freezer bags for milk as a sample. They were doing this for a while, as I had some left over from my girls when DS was born, so it might be worth a look! For infrequent pumpers, you may not need to ever buy bags separately.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Thanks for all the great info ladies!

Pontot31 · September 2015

I mostly pumped into bottles but I also hit he little hooks that screw onto the pump so I found hand the bags on them. I mostly liked Medela bags. I would stock up when BRU had they BOGO 50% off.

Pontot31 · September 2015

VexedMommy said:
Oh! Also look into Milkies Milk Savers. I haven't used them personally, but they sound great and I've heard good things from women who have used them. It's basically a bag that you attach to the breast you aren't currently using to feed baby (or pumping from if you're using a single pump) and it catches the leaks. I've heard once your supply is established you can get at least a few ounces per feeding that way.

I'm getting them this time. I leaked SO bad from the opposite boob last time. I know I'll collect a lot of extra milk that way.

Rratledge · September 2015

I used the Medela pump and poured the milk into Lansinoh bags. I found it helpful to use one of the breastsheilds from the pump (the cone-looking part) as a funnel when pouring.

questisthebest · September 2015

FYI the up&up (target brand) milk bags are way cheaper than lansinoh or medela and I never had any leaking issues with them (pumped over a year)

RVAMomma · September 2015

The medela bags might be a little more expensive but they don't leak and they freeze really well. I never had any break to tear. Id say its worth the price.

grapesoda1111 · September 2015

Rratledge said:
I used the Medela pump and poured the milk into Lansinoh bags. I found it helpful to use one of the breastsheilds from the pump (the cone-looking part) as a funnel when pouring.

Ooh that is smart.

Abonsut · September 2015

This may officially be one of the most helpful threads for N15. You ladies are answering questions I didn't even know that I had!

That being said, STMs- did you buy a bunch of extra parts (like those little membrane things) or do they seem to last?

MargaretC5 · September 2015

I pumped for over a year with DS and had a huge oversupply so I ended up freezing a lot of milk. I pumped into the bottles that DS ate from, so that saved a lot of washing. And i 2nd the PP that mentioned to use the breastsheild as a funnel to get the milk in the bag. Also definitely freeze the bags flat. Gift bags are super helpful when storing BM. Get a gift bag the same size as the storage bags, cut a slit in one end of the bottom of the bag and stack the BM bags in the gift bag, then the oldest bag dispenses from the bottom. (There are YouTube videos that describe it much better then me).
For bags I preferred the up&up bags from Target. They were cheap and very few leaked. If I was not at Target I got the Lansinoh ones, they were almost as durable as up&up but they were more expensive.
The Medela bags were the strongest but a lot more expensive. I found the Medela bags the hardest to pour out of, but you can poor over a bowl just in case. The Medela bags also did not freeze that flat, so they were harder to stack. If you have a small freezer stash Medela may be the way to go, but for a larger stash I would recommend up&up or Lansinoh.
And one last thing in my very long post (sorry), I found the attachments that allowed you to hang a bag to pump into (like the one that come with the Medela bags) almost impossible to use without spilling some milk, especially if you don't have a hands free set up.

MargaretC5 · September 2015

Abonsut said:
This may officially be one of the most helpful threads for N15. You ladies are answering questions I didn't even know that I had!

That being said, STMs- did you buy a bunch of extra parts (like those little membrane things) or do they seem to last?

The membranes needed replacing regularly. I noticed I pumped less when they got old. They also can tear so it is a good idea to have back up on hand.

dramaphile · September 2015

I got the kiinde starter set, I'm excited to try it out. I figure if I don't end up using them for milk, I can use them as baby food pouches for when baby is on solids (I hope to make At least some of LO's baby food). The set I got came with the Foodii accessories, too (basically a squeeze bottle you can use to fill the bags with baby food and a spout and spoon you can use to feed directly from the pouches).

FYI, if you like Kiinde on Facebook, they post up about coupon codes and sales at target, etc. I ended up getting the starter set for $15 because they had a crazy deal going if you put Kiinde on your registry a month or two back.

As far as other brands, my BFF swears by the lansinoh bags, she said the medela ones are crap. And she said she had suction issues pumping directly into bags, so just would pump into the bottles and pour into the bags. Also, be careful, the Medela membranes are not sealed, so if your bottles tip while you're pumping, you can spill.

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