Storing Expressed Bmilk longer then 6 mths in deepfreezer?

[tigerlilly905]

Hi Ladies,

The most common advice I have read about freezing expressed b'milk in the deepfreeze is that it is good up to 6 mths, however, recently I recall reading on the LLL website that it can be stored in the deepfreezer for 6 mths or longer.  Has anyone stored their milk longer then 6 mths?  I completely trust LLL, so I'm sure it's accurate, just curious if anyone has stored their milk longer then 6 mths and if it was still fine.  I don't think it would go "bad" in a deepfreeze, would it? Just makes me wonder how much "longer" is longer, kwim?

Thanks so much!
~Rebecca

[Mama2boys]

listening in as at some point i will need to start using the frozen milk!

[~ Vik ~]

Hi ladies!   In a deep freezer (i.e., a self contained freezer unit at a temperature of at least 0F/-19C) you are able to store your breast milk for up to 12mo.

A couple different references for that figure:
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/for-professionals/cbe-information/67/breastmilk-storage-guidelines
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

Just remember a couple of tips:
- clearly label your milk so that you are always using the oldest milk first
- freeze in small batches (1-4oz) to prevent wasting milk
- use thawed milk within 24h (kept in refrigerator)
- never refreeze thawed milk

hth

[First Time Mom]

I started using "older" freezer milk recently. I have been pumping once a day since shortly after ds was born and putting it in the deep freezer, thinking I'd use it for dfs but ds never took a df so I saved it for his cereal once he started solids. It didn't turn out that way as I always used 1/2 of the fresh pumped for his cereal so before long the milk was suddenly 8 mths old. I thawed it to see what it was like and it looked and smelled fine. I'm now using it up as much as possible- 2oz for ds's cereal and the rest mixed with regular cow's milk for my 4 yr old dd's cereal ( ;Dhey, I'm not letting it go down the drain).

When I pump I make sure it goes in the deep freezer the next day, I don't let it sit too long in the fridge or freezer that belongs to the fridge. I also thaw it out in the fridge overnight (it's slushy in the morning). I also don't use it past one day once it's thawed.

[Mama2boys]

thanks wise ladies!

[tigerlilly905]

Thanks very much ladies!!! Great advice! And I'm SO happy it lasts so long!! Such a miracle food!!!

xox