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and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Learn more about our guidelines This discussion is archived and locked for posting. See active discussions on Breastfeeding I usually produce 4 to 6 oz. of breast milk in one pumping session. When my husband gives it to my daughter, she'll usually only take 2.5 to 3 oz. at a time. That sometimes means we'll end up wasting milk. My question is how much should I put in a freezer bag? I'll be going back to work in six weeks (when the baby is 14 weeks old). I've been pumping once a day in the morning to build my freezer stash. I don't want to waste breast milk, but I also don't want her to not be getting enough. 20+ Similar Discussions FoundTrending On What to ExpectFollowing recommended storage and preparation techniques can maintain the safety and quality of expressed breast milk for the baby’s health. These are general guidelines for storing human milk at different temperatures. Various factors affect how long human milk can be stored safely. Such factors include milk volume, room temperature when milk is expressed, temperature fluctuations in the refrigerator and freezer, and cleanliness of the environment. Human Milk Storage GuidelinesHuman Milk Storage Guidelines
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Safe Storage of Expressed Breast MilkBefore expressing or handling breast milk:
Storing breast milk after expressing:Do you have other questions, such as where to store breast milk at work, and what to do when the power goes out?
Storage tips:
Safe Thawing of Breast Milk
Feeding Expressed Breast Milk
Safe Cleaning of Infant Feeding Items and Pumping Equipment:Carefully clean, sanitize, and store pump equipment, baby bottles, and other feeding items to protect your breast milk from contamination. See CDC guidance on how to safely clean and store pump equipment and infant feeding items.
Connect with Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Page last reviewed: January 24, 2022 To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address. How much breastmilk should I freeze in each bag?Breastmilk should be stored and frozen in small amounts of 60ml to 120ml per bottle or bag. The reason for this is that it takes less time for smaller amounts to thaw, and also this is close to the typical amount that babies consume at each feeding session.
How many oz of breastmilk should you freeze?You might start with 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 milliliters), and then adjust as needed. Also consider storing smaller portions — 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) — for unexpected situations or delays in regular feedings. Breast milk expands as it freezes, so don't fill containers to the brim.
How much is a good freezer stash of breastmilk?How much milk should you save. As a working parent, a good goal for your milk stash is 3-5 days (or 36 to 80 ounces) of milk in the freezer before starting back to work, although the amount ultimately depends on how long you'll be away from your little one each day.
Is it worth freezing 1 oz of breastmilk?According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine the “ability to inhibit bacterial growth is lessened, especially by 24 hours after thawing”. So how much milk should you freeze? Anywhere from 1 to 4 ounces is appropriate.
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