I pumped 3 oz of formula for the babysitter today so my husband and older children could spend a much needed day together before school starts. I mixed about 1/2 oz of formula with my breast milk. Can I freeze that milk/formula mixture? Or should I just feed it to her instead of saving it?
I'm new to nursing and don't really know the rules about the mixing, freezing etc... Any help that you wonderful Mom's can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
no you can not freeze the milk/formula mixture. you can not freeze formula period. that is just to use it as you need it. but you can freeze breast milk in special bags that they sell. if you cant pump enough just give the baby what you pumped and the rest in formula. i personally never would have mixed the two but i dont think that is a problem but again i wouldnt do it just feel funny about doing that.
I agree with PPs, I wouldn't freeze the formula. Good luck!
If you already mixed it, you can't freeze it. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hrs, but I would feed it to her first if that's an option. I had a hard time keep up with my son's appetite when I pumped, so I mixed formula and bm often. My pediatrician said it was ok to give it mixed. The only risk in doing that vs. giving bm first is that you may waste some bm if she doesn't finish the bottle. I used www.kellymom.com as a great breastfeeding resource. Medela's website is very helpful, too!
Best of Luck!
H.
Since you already mixed it, you may not freeze it. Either use it now or put it in the fridge and use it w/in 24 hours. Always freeze the breast milk by itself. Then when you thaw it you can mix it with the formula if that is what you prefer to do. I tended to give the breast milk first and then if my child was still hungry formula by itself instead of mixing it (so not to lose/have to discard any of the breast milk).
Read the formula, I think that any formula needs to be consumed within 24 hours, and can't be used again if they don't take the whole bottle. I just read an article on this and they recommend feeding the breastmilk, and then the formula. That way, if they don't eat all of it, you don't have to throw out the breastmilk too. So, I guess I am saying feed it to her, or you will have to throw it out. As far as freezing, only do that with the breastmilk. good luck!
I don't think you should have mixed them in the same bottle. Did you put the right amount of water with the formula first? If you used the breastmilk for the liquid, it would probably be WAY too thick and dense. How old is your baby? This might be hard on an infant's developing digestive system.
Do not freeze it mixed! You should never freeze formula. When mixing breastmilk and formula, it should be used within the hour or refrigerated immediately until ready to use. It should be used within 12 hours.
