16 answers

Bottles Vs. Breastmilk Bags

Does anyone know which has the correct oz amount between bottles/drop-ins or breastmilk bags. I am pumping at work and the medela bottles show that I pump about 4 oz total but when I put into a breastmilk bag it shows me that I've pumped 6 oz. Then when I put the milk into a drop in, the amount is decreased to 4 oz again. Any thoughts on which one is correct?

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Thanks ladies for all the great feedback. I have been going by the bottle anyways so all is well!

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Yep, that's why they tell you to look at the amount in the "hard" bottle before putting into the freezer bags.....Because as the bags are "soft" the amount shown isn't correct. For the amount to be correct in the "soft" bags, you would have to expand the bag to it's fullest capacity which ain't gonna happen with little old breast milk :-)

I always get confused too, no matter what bags I use, the amount differs. I think it is how the bag expands on the bottom.

The pump bottle is correct. Too bad you can't pump right into the drop-ins, and save all the steps.

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Hi Noelle,

Bottles are correct.

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

I don't know, but I would not worry about it either. 4-6oz. is a nice amount of milk to be pumping.

I had the same problem. I figured it was the shape of the medela bag. If the bag is full it measures out better. You never had 6oz. You always had 4oz. It was the medela bag.

Yep, that's why they tell you to look at the amount in the "hard" bottle before putting into the freezer bags.....Because as the bags are "soft" the amount shown isn't correct. For the amount to be correct in the "soft" bags, you would have to expand the bag to it's fullest capacity which ain't gonna happen with little old breast milk :-)

You shouldlnt use either one because of BPA's in the plastic. As soon as you put your hot milk in those bags it releases the BPAs. Not good. Go get glass bottles. Theyll last longer and you wont need to be worried.

I noticed that the gerber bags do that too. I think the bottles are correct I think the bags bend for the volume and make the measurement appear to be more. I wish it were accurate then I'd be pumping enough for a feeding :)

Hi Noelle,
I work for Lansinoh and just wanted to offer my 2 cents even though you received responses already. The bottles are the correct determinates of how many ounces you pump. Because of the way the bags are produced and often times marked, the ounces cannot be exact on the bags, they are just approximates.
Best of luck with your continued breastfeeding.
Dani

Hi there! I breastfed our 2 children and my experience is that the bottles are correct. When you dump the bottle into the bag make certain that the bag is completely open. Sometimes the corners are still closed a bit. Also when you read the bag make sure that you are reading your level before you seal the bag- with the bag completely open. When you close up the bag it will read higher (for example 6 oz instead of 4) since you're compressing the milk to close the top. If you're reading the bag when it's fully open your totals will match the bottle. Hope this helps! Good luck!

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