Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Frozen Milk

Hi all. I have been freeaing every single drop I pump and have now built a supply that would last around 8 days if I don't nurse, and maybe would last longer if I have enough milk in my breast for a feed or two.

my question is, when I thaw the frozen milk, I will of course polace it in bottles in the fridge. How do you warm that milk later when feeding time is due? Do I just take the bottle and put it under hot water for a few minutes? Would that cause the glass bottle to explode?

I need some good advice on how some of you handled feeding your babies the frozen supply you had.

Thanks.

I defrosted and warmed the milk in a warm bowl of water. If it needed more defrosting or warming, I would just change the water. You can't leave defrosted milk in the fridge for more than 24 hours.
Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer . I knew about the 24 hours range, so I won't be defrosting a big quantity every time, I'll just deforst maybe 8 oz. during day time then will defrost as needed. I broke a bag by accident and the milk liquified so fast I was amazed, so defrosting when needed won't be a problem. I was only not certain how to warm it.

thanks again.

I wouldn't thaw 8 oz until you know you are going ot use that much. Are you freezing it in 8oz portions?

No...I'm freezing in 2 oz. or a max. of 3 oz. portions per bag.

The reason I said I'd thaw 8 oz. is that 8 oz. is 4 feeds, and baby needs more feeds per day than just 4, and my supply is too low...I think I can only provide her with one feed. I'll still nurse her everytime before giving her a bottle maybe she'd help increase my supply, but I'd like to be prepared in advance.

That is why I asked in what increments you are freezing your milk. Breast milk is easily thawed in warm water so my suggestion is you don't thaw out too much before you need it, so it doesn't go to waste. Also you can always supplement at the breast using a lact-aid whilst stimulating your supply. Instead of supplementing withthe bottle.

Thanks Laurie. I'll take your advice and thaw little amounts every time.

I don't have a lact-aid and they don't sell it in my city. I don't mind bottle feeding though. I'll try to put my baby close enough to me and bottle feed her that it would feel like nursing :-)

I'm discussing all this and I still haven't had the confirmation about the baby yet. Please say a small prayer for me tonight. Tomorrow is a big day for me. The lab test results of the baby girl will be received and then we'll know if she's OK for us to adopt. There's also one last paperwork to be confirmed, also tomorrow. I pray all goes well :-S

Thanks for the advice.

Laurie, one more question please. How long does breast milk survive outside the fridge?

I mean, if I am going out for a couple of hours and want to feed my baby. I'll of course thaw some frozen milk and place it in a bottle for when I need to feed the baby. How long will that milk stay safe for baby to drink?

you can order a lact-aid at www.lact-aid.com breastfeeding is really not the same as bottlefeeding up close so it feels like nursing. The stimulation of the baby suckling your breast is what brings in your milk. Medela also sells a supplemental nurser called the SNS but the lact-aid is preferred more by inducing moms.

breast milk can last up to 10 hours outside the fridge..