Freezer Stash

[Fortune Cooki]

I am about to prepare my first freezer stash ever!

Should I wash out the plastic bags first or just fill them right up with milk without washing them first?

What is the longest you've let milk sit in a top freezer for?
I don't really want to do this often. I was thinking I'd start using the stash after 4 months and then do a new stash. I'm doing this for emergency situations.

 

[susannah14]

What plastic bags are you using? I buy ones specifically designed for milk storage and they are pre-sterilized, no washing necessary.

In a regular freezer milk is good for 3-6 months. In a deep freezer up to a year.

It's good to have an emergency stash. Just be sure you don't use the frozen milk for convenience and not pump to replace it. Otherwise you can get yourself in a vicious cycle.

ETA: I see that you are in the US. If you live close to a Target, I highly recommend the target brand milk storage bags. They are so thick and durable and aren't floppy like the name brands. I love them and they are cheaper!

 

[Fortune Cooki]

Target! I'll go grab some from there. So those don't need to be washed out then eh?

 

[rory83coyotes]

no washing. All milk bags are sterile so you would just introduce germs that way. I love the target as well also the lansinoh bags. Lay your milk flat to freeze (takes less room that way) and label the date. make sure and rotate your stock so you use the oldest first. There are some cute diy storage ideas on you tube that you could look up that make an auto rotation for you. and since your baby is a little older I would go ahead and introduce the bottle now so she doesn't start to refuse it and only take it from the source. Good luck momma.

 

[Here_we_go]

I will also add write down the amount you freeze on a calendar each day. I didn't when I first started and I had to count all the different varying amounts (which sucked! cause those bags quickly add up! )

EDIT: I wanted to know how much I had because I have a hospital stay coming up. It's a wonder I didn't get frostbite

 

[Fortune Cooki]

Thank you ladies! I will be getting to this soon!

 

[CupCakeFairy]

I also write down when the milk was expressed: am or pm, as your milk differs depending on the time of day

 

[tartlet]

I also write down when the milk was expressed: am or pm, as your milk differs depending on the time of day

I never thought about this when pumping. So what if I just pump extra in the morning to build a stash since that's when I get the most milk? Is it ok for her to have that milk all day when I return to work? And I work nights, so then I'll be pumping 4 times or so each night. How does the quality differ I guess is what I'm asking. Sorry for hijacking the thread! But it should still be relevant to the OP.

 

[CupCakeFairy]

I think that morning milk is aimed at hydrating and has wakey up hormones in it and night time milk has more calorie packed stuff and sleepy hormones in it! Makes sense really!

But I don't always give LO certain milk at certain times of the day, but it's handy if she refuses the breast at night as I'll look for pm expressed milk, so that it's got the hormones and other things she should be getting, for example