Breast milk is a veritable elixir of life for toddlers!
It protects them from infection and disease. Did you know that colostrum, the first milk produced by the body after childbirth, or even at the end of pregnancy, contains a very high concentration of antibodiesas well as other essential nutrients to boost your newborn's immune defenses?
Preserving this precious liquid is therefore a perfectly rational idea, given the benefits it offers. And what better way to do this than by freezing ?
But what exactly are the advantages of such a process when it comes to breast milk? 🤨 And above all, what quantities should be frozen to make sure baby doesn't miss out on anything at every feed?
First, let's look at the benefits of freezing your milk, and then let's look at how many doses of breast milk you can put in the freezer over the months.
CONTENTS
4 good reasons to freeze breast milk!
- Coping with milk surges outside mealtimes
- Store surplus milk if you pump breast milk
- Offering breast milk to baby without breast-feeding (thanks, bottle!)
- Allow others to give breast milk, even in your absence!
What you need to know before freezing your breast milk
How much breast milk should I freeze?
- 50 to 90 ml of milk per pot for the second month only
- 150 ml the following months, depending on your production
- 200 ml beyond 3-4 months, depending on your production
What to freeze breast milk in?
What is the best shelf life for frozen breast milk?
➔ In a refrigerator-type freezer (with drawers)
4 good reasons to freeze breast milk!
Breast milk helps to prevent infections gastrointestinal infections and many other ailments. It acts as a kind of natural armor for baby, protecting him from external pathogens.
It also promotes healthy development thanks to its adapted proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Finally, it is generally easier to digest than industrial milks, which reduces the risk of colic and reflux.
Last but not least, breast milk is environmentally friendly ! It is produced naturally by the mother's body, and therefore requires no manufacturing, transport or packaging, thus reducing environmental impact... 🚚
Building up a reserve of this magic milk by freezing it also allows you to :
Coping with milk surges outside mealtimes
For some women, milk production can be painful, occurring up to ten times a day, outside baby's usual feeding times.
If your baby is sleeping or not hungry, and you feel a rush of milk coming on, you may be embarrassed and feel the need to feel the need to express your milk for greater comfort (or to prevent breast engorgement in the most extreme forms).
Store surplus milk if you pump breast milk
It is possible to store milk expressed and not consumed by baby to build up a build up a reserve. This not only avoids wastage, but also guarantees the availability of breast milk in all circumstances! (Return to work, occasional absence, etc.).
Some women tend to produce in abundance.
If you pump 100 ml per breast, but baby only drinks 150 mldon't forget to freeze the remaining 50 ml!
This way you can complete a bottle (On the other hand, if baby doesn't finish his bottle, you won't be able to freeze the undrunk milk, since part of the formula will be made up of thawed milk).
On the same subject : Mixed breastfeeding: how to boost your lactation?
Offering breast milk to baby without breast-feeding (thanks, bottle!)
Freezing your breast milk allows you to feed your baby without using powdered milk, by offering him a bottle instead of the breast. Note that this action will reduce your milk production, since lactation will no longer be stimulated, unless you use a breast pump to maintain it.
The breast pump is an ideal solution for women who don't want to breastfeed! 🍼
Related article : Weaning: how do you switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding?
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Did you know?
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Allow others to give breast milk, even in your absence!
For mothers planning to return to work, it's also a good idea to stock up on breast milk. returning to work or whose maternity leave is coming to an end. You can be sure that your baby will have something to drink, and that a third party will be able to feed him even in your absence, thanks to a bottle.
See also : 7 caring tips to get a breastfed baby to accept a bottle
Good to know...
It is essential to note the date of each expression on the container before placing it in the freezer, to ensure you comply with storage limits.
What you need to know before freezing your breast milk
We advise you to freeze small quantities of milk and to avoid grouping several batches, although this in itself presents no risk. But it will be easier to date the container if it doesn't contain milk of different ages.
You should know that you can never refreeze thawed milk thawed milk and too much of it is more likely to go undrunk (and therefore wasted).
However, be sure to freeze and then and defrost sufficient portions to satisfy your child's hunger. If your child cries at the end of the meal and seems to be reaching for the pacifier, it's probably because his stomach needs something extra!
To sum up, we recommend storing your milk in small quantities, ideally less than 120 mlequivalent to the size of a feeding bottle. This approach reduces wastage by thawing precisely the quantity needed.
How much breast milk should I freeze?
There are no "norms" when it comes to women 😉 So your lactation and motherhood cannot be compared with that of your colleague, neighbor, sister or even your mother!
Nevertheless, here's an idea of the quantities of milk you may be able to freeze if you choose to pump exclusively :
- 50 to 90 ml of milk per pot for the second month only
The first few weekswe recommend do not express your milk as this action is not as effective as breastfeeding in establishing lactation. So, of course, you won't be able to freeze it.
But from the 2nd monthyou can start to take smaller portions, to better manage your stock and minimize any losses. This quantity is ideal to meet your toddler's needs. You may produce more, although the tendency in the early weeks is to provide a highly nutritious, fatty milk. fatty milk, less abundant than in subsequent weeks.
- 150 ml the following months, depending on your production
As your baby grows and your milk production adjusts, you can increase the amount of milk you freeze. A 150 ml portion may be enough for most of your baby's meals. If you're breast-feeding, express your milk after feeding. That way, baby can take his share and you can reap what's left, not the other way around 😉
- 200 ml beyond 3-4 months, depending on your production
When your baby reaches the age of 3 to 4 months and beyond, you may consider storing 200 ml portions, again depending on your production (i.e. 100 ml per breast). This quantity is generally adequate to satisfy your baby's growing your baby's growing appetite. If this is not the case, you can cut up some powdered milk with breast milk to increase the dose...
What to freeze breast milk in?
Breast milk can be frozen either in a glass container, preferably tinted, or in freezer bags specially designed for breast milk and free of Bisphenol A, or in an Elhée Elhée® medical silicone bottle medical silicone bottle, transformed into a hermetically sealed storage jar by means of a lid.
The main thing is to ensure the hermeticity for optimum preservation.
What is the best shelf life for frozen breast milk?
Did you know that the length of time you can keep breast milk frozen depends largely on the type of freezer you use? Here are some specific recommendations depending on the type of equipment you have:
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In a freezer
Breast milk can be stored up to 3 months in a freezer. It is important to check regularly that the freezer maintains a constant temperature of -18°C to guarantee the milk's suitability for consumption.
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In a refrigerator-type freezer (with drawers)
In freezers built into refrigerators, breast milk can be stored up to 4 or even 6 months. These freezers generally have a lower temperature than stand-alone freezers, which slightly increases the possible storage time.
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In a chest-type freezer
Chest freezers offer maximum shelf life, up to 12 monthsprovided the temperature is maintained at -20°C or below.
These recommendations are based on general guidelines. If you have specific concerns about storing your breast milk, such as prematurity or baby health problems, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for advice specific to your situation.
In a nutshell
You're now a breastmilk freezing expert! Keep this knowledge in mind and enjoy your maternity adventure, because every drop of milk counts ... So much so that freezing them can help you cope with all kinds of unforeseen events and situations (last-minute discharge, sudden desire to pass on the baton, painful milk flow, mixed breastfeeding, etc.). Happy freezing! 🧊
→ And now, become a pro at defrosting of breast milk!
