I generally only need pumped milk for church on Sundays, as we are there for four hours and I can't feed, as I play piano and also feel uncomfortable feeding in church.
I have never felt comfortable storing milk in the fridge from Sunday to Sunday, however, so I try to use my "after church pumping supply" mid week, and then use the milk I pump after THAT skipped feeding (I always need to take 8 oz to church) for Sundays. I would like to give up this mid week pumping, however, since there usually isn't anywhere I need to go without her, etc...is it safe to pump milk Sunday afternoon, store in the fridge, and use it the following Sunday morning?
I do not want to freeze milk, so please disregard answers that suggest freezing. :) :)
I think 7 days is really pushing it. I only kept it in the fridge for 2-3 without freezing it. Freezing it is such a better option than risk using bad milk, but I know you said you didn't want to do that.
I use Lansinoh milk bags and they can store milk in fridge up to 10 days.
I heard 5 days. You may want to consult a lactation consultant, I would think that they would have the most accurate information. I would google to see if there is one in your area.
From the Le Leche League:
Milk can be out at room temperature up to 10 hours.
Milk can be kept in the refrigerator for 8 days safely.
Milk can be frozen in a deep freeze up to six months and in a refrigerator freezer up to 3 months.
I work full time and pump. I keep the milk in the refrigerator and/or freezer (if it's getting a little full in the fridge!). I have kept milk accidentally up to 10 days in the refrigerator. Husband and nanny fed the baby with the "old" milk, and everyone was fine. (That only happened once or twice, though.)
Eight days is totally fine.
I've read you can store milk up to 8 days but I try not to go past five. I would google search it.
I have been told 8 days and frequently use the full 8 days. Sunday to Sunday is only 7 days. I think that bags keep more air out of it. Put it in the back of the fridge, never on the door, and smell it. Give it a try one week. Also, make sure that you smell it BEFORE you are checking if it has gone bad. Otherwise you have nothing to compare it to.
Just an idea. Not sure if you have an electric pump or not but you could try pumping the breast that your daughter is not nursing on Sunday morning(or Saturday morning too if you you can't get enough with just Sunday) when she wakes up. Then I would just nurse her whenever she wants it after church and not worry about pumping the missed feeding your body will adjust to the new routine quickly. Also if she still wants to nurse on the other side after you've pumped let her she will still be able to get milk she is more efficient than a pump.
Nursing moms usually have the most milk in the AM so it should be easy to get what you need for Sunday by pumping during or after the morning nursing session for one to three mornings during the week. I wouldn't worry about your daughter missing out on some of the milk your supply will adjust itself.
I was always told use the rule of 5 - 5 hours, 5 days or 5 months. You can leave breastmilk out for 5 hours before it goes bad, refridgerate it for 5 days or freeze it for 5 months. I was told this specifically when I was in the hospital with my 1st baby almost 4 yrs ago. If you are not going to use it within 5 days, you will have to freeze it (make sure you date it) and then thaw it prior to use. It doesn't take long to thaw. I would fill up a large bowl of hot water and put my bags/containers in there, and I remember it didn't take very long at all to thaw.
