Freezing breast milk after refrigeration...

[ladybird]

Am I correct to understand that breast milk can still be frozen after it's been refrigerated, as long as it's still good?

Any tips for getting it into freezer bags after refrigeration in other containers? Struggling with the separation of fats...

[wildflower810]

Yes, you are correct! I'm pumping to donate right now (EPing my right side since M refuses to latch). I keep the milk in the fridge for up to 36 hours before it all goes in the freezer since I want to be able to put 4-5 oz in a bag. I have it stored in the bottles that it gets pumped into, they have lids, and when it's time to pour them into freezer bags I spend a minute swirling it all around to mix the fats back in. I wouldn't shake it since that would make a mess, but firmly swirling has worked for me. I'm only dealing with 2-4 oz at a time, though. I take the lids of my bottles, open a bag, and carefully pour each bottle into the bag. No mistakes or spills yet! :knock on wood:

[catlady22]

I also swirl. I read somewhere that shaking breast milk can damage some of the nutrients or proteins or something that I can't remember. Anyway, swirling works for me.

[spikesmom]

Oops I did not know you shouldn't shake it, I've been shaking mine darn it!

[wildflower810]

spikesmom - The only reason I don't shake is because of the messy factor. My scientist husband says you would have to very violently shake it to actually damage proteins. He also points out that shaking makes bubbles and bubbles make painful gas.

[calimomof1]

I find that pressing my fingers against the part of the bottle where the fat is collected also helps warm it up and loosens it.

[jfh]

I usually run it under warm water to get the fat off of the edges of the bottle, then I pour it into the bag.

[tacocat]

Feb 10, 2015 19:39:14 GMT -5 jfh said:

I usually run it under warm water to get the fat off of the edges of the bottle, then I pour it into the bag.

This.

[cookielover]

Feb 10, 2015 19:29:17 GMT -5 calimomof1 said:

I find that pressing my fingers against the part of the bottle where the fat is collected also helps warm it up and loosens it.

I do this too!

[kaimee27]

I've just been dumping the milk directly into bags immediately after pumping and then laying them flat in the refrigerator before freezing them. I haven't been trying to remix before freezing. I hadn't even though about it, I hope they mix okay when they thaw!

[ladybird]

kaimee27 I bet they'll be totally fine! I've refrigerated in bottles and want to transfer to bags before freezing—I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the thicker consistency portion of the milk into the bags easily since it has separated but it sounds like that's easily remedied.

[tacocat]

kaimee27 getting the fat is more about getting it loose from the bottle than making sure it's mixed -- at least for me. If you're warming them from frozen they'll mix up fine.

[kaimee27]

ladybird and tacocat, thank you! I haven't thawed a frozen bag yet and was having visions of having to throw away stacks of that liquid gold!

[kcar1105]

Glad you posted this!! I was looking for clarification as well! Thanks ladies!