breast milk storage/ freezing

[Anonymous]

I have read/ been told that brest milk is fine for up to 10 hours at room temp. I plan to bring a cooler to the office, but wondering if this is true. Also, when you freeze the milk, do you put in fridge to thaw? Thanks. I'm very new to this.

[Anonymous]

A pediatrition friend of mine also told me that freshly expressed BM could be left out for up to 10 hrs before needing to be refigerated or frozen. Once you put it in the fridge, its good in there for 7 days before needing to be frozen. When thawing, I would either leave it out on the counter or run it under warm water. I'm not sure what the correct protocol is - or if there is one!

If you haven't already, check out www.kellymom.com for a lot of great information on everything related to BFing/pumping/etc.

[Anonymous]

I thaw milk in the fridge most of the time, but when I'm in a hurry, I run it under warm water until it's slushy enough to get into a bottle, and then either let it finish thawing in the fridge or warm it as I normally would with any milk.

I wholeheartedly second the recommendation for kellymom.com. Tons of useful advice that made my transition back to work a lot easier.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

I follow the 6-6-6 rule: six hours at room temp, six days in the fridge, six months in a normal freezer.

And, I sit a bag either on the countertop (in a bowl or cup) or in a cup of warm water to thaw it. Probably because of the high fat content, it thaws super quick, even just at room temp. But always put the bag IN something. I find that getting knocked around the freezer often puts a teeny hole in the bag, and it will leak when thawing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the LC and the Ameda/Hollister magnet I got says fresh BM can be at room temp. for 8 hours (only 4 hours in the hospital though...don't know why).

Frozen bm is best thawed in refrig. or defrosted in warm water in a bowl.

good luck.

[Anonymous]

Also, what is the best way to store breast milk? I heard that some containters (like glass) will cause those ever-important antibodies to stick to the walk of the container and therefore the baby would not get the full benefit of the breast milk. Is this true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I follow the 6-6-6 rule: six hours at room temp, six days in the fridge, six months in a normal freezer.

And, I sit a bag either on the countertop (in a bowl or cup) or in a cup of warm water to thaw it. Probably because of the high fat content, it thaws super quick, even just at room temp. But always put the bag IN something. I find that getting knocked around the freezer often puts a teeny hole in the bag, and it will leak when thawing.

Good tip on the outer container -- I have to throw out several full bags because of holes and tears.

[Anonymous]

OP here, you gals rule. Thanks.