Let's talk about freezing breastmilk! As any pumping mom is well aware, finding an effective way to save breastmilk is an important part of the pumping process. Freezing fresh milk in breastmilk bags is a great option for storing breastmilk. In this article, we'll dig into reasons why building a freezer store of breast milk is a good idea for any breastfeeding mom (whether you offer bottles occasionally or exclusively pump.) We'll also unpack some tips and tricks to help you store breastmilk more efficiently.
REASONS TO FREEZE BREASTMILK
I recommend that every breastfeeding mom has at least some breastmilk in the freezer for later use. The amount you will want to store may vary greatly depending on your specific situation and needs. If you are exclusively pumping and your baby only takes bottles, you may want to have a greater quantity of milk stored than a mom who predominantly feeds at the breast. Regardless, if your baby is consuming fresh breastmilk as their primary source of nutrition, it's a good idea to store milk for future use. Here are a few common situations where having stored milk may come in handy:
CHILDCARE
Whether you are trying to sneak in a date night or you work full-time, a solid freezer stash of milk means your childcare provider will always have plenty of milk to offer your baby.
SICKNESS
It's not uncommon for a breastfeeding mother's milk supply to dip when she gets sick. Of course, you'll want to continue nursing or using your breast pump following your typical feeding schedule through your sickness, but having a little extra milk in the deep freezer can help prevent you from juggling a fussy baby on top of feeling under the weather. (Trust me, that's the last thing you'll want.)
MISSED PUMPING SESSIONS
It happens. Every mom, even the most regimented and consistent pumpers, will miss different pumping sessions at some point. Having even small amounts of frozen breastmilk on hand will ensure that your baby is never left waiting for a meal. (For help with staying on track so you rarely miss a pumping session --- check out this Pumping Guide + Template.)
GROWTH SPURTS
Ever tried to console a baby who is still hungry after finishing a bottle? (Let me give you a hint...It ain't easy.) During a growth spurt, the amount of milk consumed by healthy babies typically increases. When baby wants more than the fresh breastmilk bottle you've prepared, being able to quickly grab another bag of milk from the freezer door can save you in a pinch.
HOW TO FREEZE BREAST MILK
STEP 1: FILL UNUSED BREASTMILK STORAGE BAGS
After pumping, pour milk into 5 ounce volume storage bags. Most storage bags may hold more than 5 ounces but I have found 5 ounces will store easier and simply easier to track. Some moms prefer to pour and freeze each bag of milk immediately after each pumping session. Others prefer to collect a pitcher full of milk for a day or two before dividing it into smaller portions to put in the freezer. If you choose to go this route, be sure to store your pumped milk in the back of the refrigerator (the coldest part of the fridge.) When preparing freezer bags, it's important to eliminate as much air as possible. By eliminating air pockets you are reducing the chance of damage to these susceptible hollow spots within the breast milk storage bags. ⠀
STEP 2: FREEZE FLAT & STORE
Lay each bag of milk flat on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Keeping your milk bags flat during the initial freezing process will make your bags more compact and easier to store in the freezer. Once each bag on the tray is completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the milk bags into a freezer bag. Want to see this process in action? Check out THIS VIDEO!
If you are freezing smaller volumes of milk at a time, check out THIS product invented and a small mama owned business called MilkWorx! Their product helps ensure your milk is frozen flat everytime!
TIP: Ten 5oz bags of breastmilk in each gallon bag make the perfect stackable bricks for your deep freezer.
STEP 3: TIMELY USAGE OF FROZEN MILK
When grabbing a bag of frozen milk, it's a good idea to start with the oldest milk first. Studies have shown that breastmilk may lose some of its nutrient quality over time. Let's break this down a bit:
6 weeks --- 6 weeks post-freezing shows the same nutrient levels and characteristics of freshly pumped milk.
3 months --- When thawed and tested it was shown that there was a decrease in fat, proteins, and calories. Vitamin E levels appeared to be stable whereas vitamin C levels decreased between 1-5 months. However, there is limited research on how freezer storage affects vitamins and minerals in breastmilk.
9 months --- At this time macronutrients and immunoactive proteins remained unchanged.
In other words; the sooner fed, the better. However, keep in mind breastmilk does not just “go bad” or expire. If you’re considering rotating your frozen milk consider between 6-12 weeks post-initial freezing.
Disclaimer:
This shared information intends to advise OPTIMAL thawed milk usage. It IS NOT to scare you away from freezing and feeding. Please do not read this info then toss your “old” milk. I for one, have fed frozen breastmilk well over 12 months old, and no harm has come from it. The fact of the matter is that nutrients are lost over time but basic principles of freezing dictate that frozen foods (kept at 0degrees) are safe indefinitely from bacterial contamination and may experience possible changes in milk quality (ABM Protocol #8)
Consuming Thawed Breastmilk
Once you've allowed a bag of frozen milk to thaw completely to a liquid state, it must be consumed within 24 hours. This differs from freshly pumped milk, which can be refrigerated up to 4 days before consumption.
This guideline is important to keep in mind but I have a trick up my sleeve to make it work best for my milk bottle prep! By prepping milk slushy the night before or before the occasion you may be using this thawed milk for, allows to stretch the clock! Remember once all ice crystals are melted, that is when the 24 hour clock starts ticking! Example: When I worked in the office and had child care arrive at my house at 6a for the day, I would have all bottles prepped the night before. The night before I would take out the amount of frozen milk I needed to feed, allow it to thaw just enough to fit within a bottle neck and pop it in the fridge. The next morning this prepped bottle would still have ice crystals- in theory this milk was not yet frozen so the clock had not started ticking! This calmed my nerves and eagerness to feed asap!
I have grown to love THESE breastmilk storage bags! As you can see above I used the Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags for a long time but I have found the Zomee to be as easy to use and more reliable!
