I am curious as to how long I can keep frozen breastmilk. I called our doc, and he said 8 weeks at the longest...but was told by a friend who is a peditrician- that it doesn't matter as long as it has remained frozen. I have a ton in storage, so if I had to get rid of any, I won't be "lost" but it will determine when I finish weaning my daughter.
I kept mine in those double sealed bags for storing milk for a year. I had read somewhere that is the longest you should keep it after the date pumped. It needs a good shaking after thaw, but other than that it was fine. I did this with both my sons. I weaned with it, I added it to cereal, I mixed it with cow milk etc.... for extra nutrients as they stopped breastfeeding. I would look on websites like la leche to see.
I wish doctors who don't know what they're talking about would keep their mouths shut, but I digress... La Leche League says 6 months is ideal and 12 months is acceptable ( http://www.llli.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html ) Please mention this to your doctor mext time you see him so he won't continue giving out bad info.
I used my frozen breast milk until a year from the date--I had my daughter in the NICU for 3 1/2 months due to pre-maturity so I had a ton. I used every bit off it!!! I mixed with fresh up until the year elapsed. I will do it again w/ baby #2 due in April.
A.:
in a separate door freezer at least 3 months/ that is the longest that has been looked at....
human milk bank stores in a deep freeze for more than 2 years.,
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
I've been told 3-4 mos.
Best,
R.
Hi, as most of the Mom's here said "DON'T THROW IT AWAY" - To me, it was like Gold!!! I really did date mine, and then when I got to 10, I put the 10 bags in one freezer bag, and I recorded all the different ozs. I had. Freeze whatever you have extra! GREAT JOB!!!! I was fortunate that we did have a smaller deep freezer. My hubby one day went and got some pizza rolls and some pizza and one other thing. I was like, "where are you going to put all that" - he said "the freezer", and I was like "NO, that is for the baby!!! ha!!!
Happy Holidays and GREAT JOB Mommy!
i've been told to use the number 5 as a guide.
you can leave breastmilk out 5 hours after it has been pumped, 5 days in the fridge, 5 months in the freezer and forever if in a deep freezer (the kind that is not attached to your fridge).
http://www.justmommies.com/articles/breast-milk-storage.s...
says 3 to 4 months in a normal attached to fridge freezer, 6 to 12 months in a deep freezer. There is NOTHING about 8 wks on that chart anywhere. Not sure that your dr. really knows, most don't.
If it's in your refrigerator's freezer then about 3 months, but if it's in the deep freeze about 6 months. My friend who's a lactation consultant can back me up on those too. :)
hi A.
after the birth of my son this past may, the nurse told me to remember the rule of 3 when it comes to storing breastmilk.
-you can leave breast milk on the counter for 3 hours
-you can leave breast milk in fridge for 3 days
-you can store breast milk in freezer for 3 months.
hope this helps.
Hi A.,
I am currently breastfeeding my 4th child and frequently freeze breastmilk due to working. According to Ameda -my breastpump booklet-fresh milk can be stored at room temp for 10 hours/refridge 8 days/refridge style freezer 3-4 months/deep freeze 6+ months. Thawed breastmilk can be kept at room temp 1 hour/refridge 24 hours and never refroze.
These are the guidelines I have been following and have never had any problems.
Blessings,
L.
Hey A., in a deep freezer you can keep breast milk up to a year. 3-6 months in a separate fridge freezer. I had a bunch in storage when my son weaned and continued to feed it to him for months after he stopped the breast. Seriously, do NOT waste that milk. It is absolutely full of good things for your baby. You could end up with baby like mine who can't handle whole milk so we are buy 9-24 month formula for him for the last 7 months! Saved all that money nursing him and now we're still buying formula!!! Point is, keep it so you'll have it even after you/she choose to wean. Nothing wrong with giving it to her in bottle after her 1st b-day! Check the LeLeche web site for confirmation.
Don't throw it away. I heard of a mom who made chocolate pudding with it and fed it to the family:) Get creative before you throw it out. And check the link to kellymom.com for great acurate info.
You can grab a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to be sure, but I believe it's a rule of "3". 3 hours out in room temperature, 3 weeks in the fridge and either 3 or 6 months in the freezer. Could definitely be wrong, so would check the book.
