Breast milk collection shells

[asacia]

I just bought some breastmilk collection shells, to use while I pump, as I tend to leak on the other side.

The instructions say you have to throw the milk collected away!

Am I missing something? What is the point of using breastmilk collection shells if you can't do anything with the milk? Why not just use pads?

Do other brands allow for the use of the milk, or do they all say you can't use it?

(They are Medela ones)

 

[thelilbump]

i haven't used shells myself so not speaking from personal experience but perhaps it's something to do with the milk not entering a sterile unit? maybe if you sterilise them then they'd be okay?

 

[leighbaby]

I'd probably sterilise them and use the milk anyway...before I had even thought about it, I have expressed into a mug and spoon fed Sebastian a few times without sterilising. D'oh. (Wouldn't now though!)

 

[Mervs Mum]

I guess the point of them over pads is they are reusable. I know people who collect the milk and save it to use - I would if I leaked. I'd just sterilise them each time.

 

[Bearsbaby]

I have Avent collection shells and on the leaflet it said you can use the milk as long as the shell has been sterilised. I always use them coz I leak a lot. I collect the milk in a sterilised bottle in the fridge and it gets added to the milk I express that day. It's well worth doing coz I reckon I leak a good few oz throughout the day.

 

[asacia]

Thanks girls. I'll try it and see, I'm sure I leak a fair amount at each session, so if I can get a little extra it'll be worth it.

I'm about 250ml short a day, so trying everything to boost the amount I get. Fingers crossed!

 

[lillysmum]

i havent used shells but i'd think that if they are sterile you could keep the milkit's maybe just a precaution in case people dont think to sterilise them

 

[Bec L]

I used to use them and always collected a fair bit in them during the course of the day. I sterilised mine after each use and the ones I bought (Avent) stated that they could be used for this purpose.