First time Mom-to-be with lots of BF Questions!

[lulu37688]

Hi Mommies - I'm due with my first in February and am truely hoping to BF. I was, as was DH so we have full family support which is nice. I do have a few questions though. We're in the States, so I will be returning to work FT when bubs is 3 months old (our mat leave sucks big time) so I will be expressing at work.
How do you store EBM? I've heard of some women expressing before they go back to work, to build up a stock...do you freeze it?
If you freeze it, how do you thaw it for daycare or the sitter? Microwave?
I know so little about the expressing process. Wish to hell I didn't have to return to work but I make more than DH and hold the insurance (insurance through his company is TRIPLE what it is through mine!)

So, any advice or obvious things I should know?

Thank you!

 

[AnnaBanana9]

Hi and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I never did much expressing, but I DO know what it's like to return to work FT when still a BF mommy (I went back when Alyssa was 6 months old).

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/ may be useful. The whole site is brimming with fantastic information. And you've got all the lovely ladies here in the breastfeeding forum

x

 

[discoclare]

Hi,
You can store expressed BM in the fridge for up to 72 hours before use or you can freeze and use within 3 months. You can buy freezer bags which are sterile (probably get them in a drug store over there I guess or somewhere like babies r us) to store your milk in. I would advise to store in smaller units as once thawed you can't refreeze so you don't want to freeze too much and waste it as baby doesn't want it. If they need more you can always thaw another small bag. I normally freeze between 1-3oz per bag and write on the bag how much is in it and the date stored.
You defrost either in the fridge (if you have enough time) or by immersing the bag in warm water if needed more urgently. You shouldn't defrost in the microwave. If you need it in a hurry the warm water with thaw it really fast.
It's worth having a look at the sticky called the ins and outs of exclusively expressing as they will give more advice on those who need to express a lot. You will need to either invest in or rent a good pump.
Good luck.

 

[venusrockstar]

Yes, you can freeze breastmilk in a normal freezer for about 6 months or a big deep freezer for up to a year.

Breastmilk can be kept at the back of your fridge for up to 6 days.

To thaw, I usually take it out of the freezer and into a bowl of warm water. If you are leaving it for a sitter, you can take it out of the freezer and put right into the fridge (it will thaw on it's own, takes a day or so to thaw out)

Never put breastmilk in a microwave or heat it...it takes the nutrients out of it and it can leave hot spots and baby can burn their mouth.

 

[nervousgal]

my book from the hospital says EBM can stay in the fridge for 8 days and in the freezer for 3-6 months. I usually freeze mine but if I know its going to be used the next day I refrigerate it. The sitter thaws it herself, (make sure u show her how). U thaw it with hot water, but make sure it doesn't get too hot.

P.S Lansinoh storage bags are the best IMO. Oh and you shouldn't shake breastmilk, it breaks up the good cells or something like that.