Frozen Breastmilk

[charlie84]

I have alot of frozen breastmilk in my freezer from when i was expressing to try Calleigh with a bottle. Since she refuses the bottle i have been left with quite a bit of milk. Now does anyone know how long this is good to keep?
I have since been donating my milk but if the stuff i have already stored for her is no good i really want to start expressing for her again so that she has a stock of milk which i can use when weaning and for her to drink from a sippy cup.

 

[Jollypops]

Breastmilk can be frozen for upto 3 months

 

[charlie84]

Oh dear, gonna be alot of wasted boobiemilk

Thanks Jollypops
Think i better start on saving milk for missy

 

[fothers]

I poured about 2l of the stuff down the drain a couple of weeks ago as she was refusing it and I needed freezer space. Such a shame

 

[sunnyday]

Hi,

I was a breast milk donor and also had some spare in the freezer. The milk bank happily took it off me even though I'd expressed it before I became a donor. Perhaps worth asking them before you tip it down the sink.

I *think* I have read somewhere that you should try and give frozen milk to your LO within a month of freezing it as breast milk changes to suit the baby's needs and older milk may cause tummy upsets.

 

[charlie84]

Hi,

I was a breast milk donor and also had some spare in the freezer. The milk bank happily took it off me even though I'd expressed it before I became a donor. Perhaps worth asking them before you tip it down the sink.

I *think* I have read somewhere that you should try and give frozen milk to your LO within a month of freezing it as breast milk changes to suit the baby's needs and older milk may cause tummy upsets.

Thanks Sunnyday but i already questioned the extra breastmilk with the bank and unfortunately as i have used breastmilk bags they cant except it Such a shame as there is gonna be so much waste

 

[Squiglet]

gah it always feels like loads of waste

 

[Charlie:-)]

My health visitor gave me some guidelines from the "Breastfeeding Network" on storing milk which says that you can keep milk in the freezer for up to 6 months at a temp of minus -18 oC.

Check here for details http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/expressing-and-storing-breastmilk.html

 

[charlie84]

My health visitor gave me some guidelines from the "Breastfeeding Network" on storing milk which says that you can keep milk in the freezer for up to 6 months at a temp of minus -18 oC.

Check here for details http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/expressing-and-storing-breastmilk.html

Interesting
I am assuming that my freezer is -18 or below, but will check with a thermometer to be sure

 

[HideiLu]

As far as I've been told by MW and HV it's 3 months

 

[andreag]

I ended up with surplus frozen milk which Lo refused to drink in the end. I used it when I cooked for her - it went into sauces, muffins, scrambled eggs etc. I have no idea if it retains any of the goodness once cooked, but I couldn't bear wasting it.

 

[charlie84]

Ok girls i have found this
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breast ... ilkexpert/
So possibly as long as my freezer is at the correct temp my milk may not have to be wasted

 

[DebbieM]

I poured about 2l of the stuff down the drain a couple of weeks ago as she was refusing it and I needed freezer space. Such a shame

Gutting!!!!!!!!! I could cry when 3oz is wasted lol

 

[kalia]

It depends on your freezer. All food keep for different amounts of time in different freezers. A big efficient freezer will keep milk for longer than a fridge freezer.
http://www.lansinoh.co.uk/StoringBreastmilk.php
This link also tells you who did the research to find out how long it can last.

This may not be your sort of thing, but breast milk has a lot of good properties. I used it on the dermatitis on my hand and it cleared up no problem. Online I have found people with cancer drinking a few oz a day as that helps. If you have a cold or anything you might like to have some yourself.

When you start weaning most things can be mixed with breastmilk - anything puréed for example. Or baby rice.