Hotel doesn’t have freezers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow, I've traveled all over the world and hotels have always frozen breast milk for me. Never tried it in the US, though!

OK I have to ask - how come you were storing frozen breast milk all over the world?

NP but I travel for work and have a baby, so... storing frozen breast milk all over the world. Not much of a mystery? Anyway, I have had hit or miss luck. Smaller hotels even in cities in Western countries have always accommodated me (e.g., multiple hotels in Strasbourg, which I've had to travel to a lot); bigger chains and, in particular, bigger chains at airport hotels almost never have. Rather than commercial grade freezers, I've had hotels stick it in the freezer part of the fridge their employees use for lunch. That's what I do at work too. I prefer freezing my milk so that I can then stick it in an insulated carry on to get through commute-flight-commute; refrigeration isn't enough for Transatlantic flights. Not sure if that was OP's intention too.

(Also, all of the people talking about bacteria are being a bit insane. The milk is in a bag. It's no more bacteria filled than the other things in the freezer -- e.g., frozen meat -- and the milk itself isn't coming into contact w/ anything at all. Also, freezers kill/temporary hold bacteria at bay. That's their purpose.

we just talked about it. breastmilk is full of the microbiome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow, I've traveled all over the world and hotels have always frozen breast milk for me. Never tried it in the US, though!

OK I have to ask - how come you were storing frozen breast milk all over the world?

NP but I travel for work and have a baby, so... storing frozen breast milk all over the world. Not much of a mystery? Anyway, I have had hit or miss luck. Smaller hotels even in cities in Western countries have always accommodated me (e.g., multiple hotels in Strasbourg, which I've had to travel to a lot); bigger chains and, in particular, bigger chains at airport hotels almost never have. Rather than commercial grade freezers, I've had hotels stick it in the freezer part of the fridge their employees use for lunch. That's what I do at work too. I prefer freezing my milk so that I can then stick it in an insulated carry on to get through commute-flight-commute; refrigeration isn't enough for Transatlantic flights. Not sure if that was OP's intention too.

(Also, all of the people talking about bacteria are being a bit insane. The milk is in a bag. It's no more bacteria filled than the other things in the freezer -- e.g., frozen meat -- and the milk itself isn't coming into contact w/ anything at all. Also, freezers kill/temporary hold bacteria at bay. That's their purpose.

It may not be more bacteria-filled - or it might be - because your breast milk isn't inspected like the meat, animal milks, and produce in the commercial refrigerators. They have to be cautious about cross-contamination. I know some of those small hotels in Strasbourg, they aren't tied to chains or franchises and are often more laid-back. Those with ties to multi-national chains probably have enterprise-wide rules.

In any case, OP didn't do her homework, she's only in NY for a weekend, and could have done any of things other PPs suggested.

Ha you think all of the meat is inspected huh.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow, I've traveled all over the world and hotels have always frozen breast milk for me. Never tried it in the US, though!

OK I have to ask - how come you were storing frozen breast milk all over the world?

NP but I travel for work and have a baby, so... storing frozen breast milk all over the world. Not much of a mystery? Anyway, I have had hit or miss luck. Smaller hotels even in cities in Western countries have always accommodated me (e.g., multiple hotels in Strasbourg, which I've had to travel to a lot); bigger chains and, in particular, bigger chains at airport hotels almost never have. Rather than commercial grade freezers, I've had hotels stick it in the freezer part of the fridge their employees use for lunch. That's what I do at work too. I prefer freezing my milk so that I can then stick it in an insulated carry on to get through commute-flight-commute; refrigeration isn't enough for Transatlantic flights. Not sure if that was OP's intention too.

(Also, all of the people talking about bacteria are being a bit insane. The milk is in a bag. It's no more bacteria filled than the other things in the freezer -- e.g., frozen meat -- and the milk itself isn't coming into contact w/ anything at all. Also, freezers kill/temporary hold bacteria at bay. That's their purpose.

Bacteria is not the concern. Contaminated breast milk can transmit CMV and HIV. And cold does NOT keep it at bay--HIV does just fine in the freezer. Are the odds low? Probably. Though 1 in 200 people in the world today is HIV-positive, and 15% of those don't know it, and the transmission rate to babies from breast milk of mothers who either aren't being treated or aren't aware they're HIV positive is 15-45%, so maybe not low enough. Call me hysterical, but the idea of storing fluids full of HIV next to my food does not give me a happy feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow, I've traveled all over the world and hotels have always frozen breast milk for me. Never tried it in the US, though!

OK I have to ask - how come you were storing frozen breast milk all over the world?

NP but I travel for work and have a baby, so... storing frozen breast milk all over the world. Not much of a mystery? Anyway, I have had hit or miss luck. Smaller hotels even in cities in Western countries have always accommodated me (e.g., multiple hotels in Strasbourg, which I've had to travel to a lot); bigger chains and, in particular, bigger chains at airport hotels almost never have. Rather than commercial grade freezers, I've had hotels stick it in the freezer part of the fridge their employees use for lunch. That's what I do at work too. I prefer freezing my milk so that I can then stick it in an insulated carry on to get through commute-flight-commute; refrigeration isn't enough for Transatlantic flights. Not sure if that was OP's intention too.

(Also, all of the people talking about bacteria are being a bit insane. The milk is in a bag. It's no more bacteria filled than the other things in the freezer -- e.g., frozen meat -- and the milk itself isn't coming into contact w/ anything at all. Also, freezers kill/temporary hold bacteria at bay. That's their purpose.

Bacteria is not the concern. Contaminated breast milk can transmit CMV and HIV. And cold does NOT keep it at bay--HIV does just fine in the freezer. Are the odds low? Probably. Though 1 in 200 people in the world today is HIV-positive, and 15% of those don't know it, and the transmission rate to babies from breast milk of mothers who either aren't being treated or aren't aware they're HIV positive is 15-45%, so maybe not low enough. Call me hysterical, but the idea of storing fluids full of HIV next to my food does not give me a happy feeling.

actually, pumped milk may have strep and staph in it.

btw, if pumping GAVE my kid his asthma and all those damn colds he got from 9 months on, I am going to be seriously pissed ...

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2193868-breast-pumps-may-introduce-harmful-bacteria-to-babies-gut-microbiome/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow, I've traveled all over the world and hotels have always frozen breast milk for me. Never tried it in the US, though!

OK I have to ask - how come you were storing frozen breast milk all over the world?

NP but I travel for work and have a baby, so... storing frozen breast milk all over the world. Not much of a mystery? Anyway, I have had hit or miss luck. Smaller hotels even in cities in Western countries have always accommodated me (e.g., multiple hotels in Strasbourg, which I've had to travel to a lot); bigger chains and, in particular, bigger chains at airport hotels almost never have. Rather than commercial grade freezers, I've had hotels stick it in the freezer part of the fridge their employees use for lunch. That's what I do at work too. I prefer freezing my milk so that I can then stick it in an insulated carry on to get through commute-flight-commute; refrigeration isn't enough for Transatlantic flights. Not sure if that was OP's intention too.

(Also, all of the people talking about bacteria are being a bit insane. The milk is in a bag. It's no more bacteria filled than the other things in the freezer -- e.g., frozen meat -- and the milk itself isn't coming into contact w/ anything at all. Also, freezers kill/temporary hold bacteria at bay. That's their purpose.

Bacteria is not the concern. Contaminated breast milk can transmit CMV and HIV. And cold does NOT keep it at bay--HIV does just fine in the freezer. Are the odds low? Probably. Though 1 in 200 people in the world today is HIV-positive, and 15% of those don't know it, and the transmission rate to babies from breast milk of mothers who either aren't being treated or aren't aware they're HIV positive is 15-45%, so maybe not low enough. Call me hysterical, but the idea of storing fluids full of HIV next to my food does not give me a happy feeling.

actually, pumped milk may have strep and staph in it.

btw, if pumping GAVE my kid his asthma and all those damn colds he got from 9 months on, I am going to be seriously pissed ...

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2193868-breast-pumps-may-introduce-harmful-bacteria-to-babies-gut-microbiome/

OK, I worded that poorly. Bacteria is a concern, but a lesser one. PP is right that there's already bacteria in the food. There's bacteria everywhere. But if you catch something, it'll be unpleasant for 5-7 days, then it's over, plus there's antibiotics. Contract HIV and your whole life is changed. I've incorporated the possibilities of undercooked food and unwashed produce into my life. HIV in the ice cream? Not so much.

[Anonymous]

So are those of you freaking out about the possibility of breastmilk being stored in a hotel freezer equally as freaked out about a coworker storing milk in a refrigerator/freezer at your work place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a good thing they wouldn’t store your bodily fluid.

+1

I always think people who refer to breastmilk as "bodily fluid" do so with a sneer and a wrinkle in their uptight noses.

FFS, she's not asking to store vaginal discharge or urine. This is FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

It’s bodily fluid. Whether or not it’s edible is an entirely different issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So are those of you freaking out about the possibility of breastmilk being stored in a hotel freezer equally as freaked out about a coworker storing milk in a refrigerator/freezer at your work place?

I think the point is that no co-worker would be so gauche and out of touch to think that her co workers would automatically be okay with this. You are not the only human isn’t he world and do not deserve special treatment because you are lactating. There are other people in the hotel (or office) who do not want their food to share space with a stranger’s bodily fluid. It’s not saving a life. It’s just a meal, which can easily be replaced. Please get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

OP - I've had high end and mid tier hotels in at least 10 different states store my milk in their freezer. Both major chains and boutique hotels. No one has ever batted an eye over it...it would never have occurred to me that one might not, I don't think this is common that they refuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are those of you freaking out about the possibility of breastmilk being stored in a hotel freezer equally as freaked out about a coworker storing milk in a refrigerator/freezer at your work place?

I think the point is that no co-worker would be so gauche and out of touch to think that her co workers would automatically be okay with this. You are not the only human isn’t he world and do not deserve special treatment because you are lactating. There are other people in the hotel (or office) who do not want their food to share space with a stranger’s bodily fluid. It’s not saving a life. It’s just a meal, which can easily be replaced. Please get over yourself.

So what are working moms who pump supposed to do then? Survey everyone in their building/floor who uses the refrigerator for permission?! I was fortunate in my former workplace to have access to a minifridge in our lactation room that was just for storing breastmilk. I do not have that at my current workplace, the only option is to use the staff fridge (no, bringing your own mini fridge into your office is definitely not allowed). It's stored in a cooler bag and unless someone rifled through and dumped it out there is little chance anyone would be "exposed" to my bodily fluids.

I think you're the one who needs to get over yourself.....

[Anonymous]

There are some real jerks on this thread! Breast milk is meant for consumption, stop acting like it's this disgusting thing! And cut OP some slack, breastfeeding and pumping is hard enough on us- show some kindness!

[Anonymous]

I always use the ice bucket. Most minibar fridges don’t have a freezer compartment and I was always afraid I would drop the bottle and accidentally room charge cocktails!

You can throw it out too... It’s not going to help with your homestash but it is not absolutely required that you keep that milk. I say this as a mama who pumped 18 months… Sometimes you pump for relief and sometimes you pump to feed baby. When you’re on travel and don’t have the storage you need, it’s OK to discard what you pump.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me in Vegas and I kept it in the fridge, then brought it back with ice from the ice machine (I put the ice in extra milk bags since I didn't have a leakproof cooler and didn't want to have to worry about keeping it upright)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a good thing they wouldn’t store your bodily fluid.

+1

I always think people who refer to breastmilk as "bodily fluid" do so with a sneer and a wrinkle in their uptight noses.

FFS, she's not asking to store vaginal discharge or urine. This is FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

Yeah these PPs are being jerks but I get why the hotel is reluctant to take food items from guests. A lot of restaurants don't allow outside food because they can't control it (one sandwich place told me I wasn't allowed to bring in a reusable water bottle??) and they don't want to risk being held responsible. So say I don't clean my pump properly, baby gets sick, I call and complain that their freezer wasn't up to snuff? It's a mess.

[Anonymous]

I never had a problem getting a hotel to freeze my breastmilk when I was pumping. I don’t remember if they put it in the freezer in their kitchen freezer or in the freezer part of a fridge they had for employees to use, like in a break room. Once I got a mini fridge and turned the temp as cold as it would go.

The PPs who are saying how disgusting breast milk is and how it should it be stored in a freezer with food in it are not well.