R.S. asks from Shawnee, KS on February 02, 2009
Small Fridge
does anyone know of a good small fridge to keep breastmilk in that stays below 40 degrees? I have a friend that is looking for one to keep in her classroom during the day until she is able to bring it home. All the ones she has looked at do not keep the milk cool enough, any ideas?
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S.T. answers from St. Louis on February 02, 2009
Ditto the last post. Breastmilk keeps really well. I would just use a cooler with ice packs. Way cheaper!
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J.H. answers from St. Louis on February 03, 2009
I don't know about small frig's but I believe you can store breastmilk at room temp for up to 8 hours and in the frig (below 40 degrees) fro like 2 weeks. So, it would make sense to me that she should be able to get any of the little frig's and keep her milk in there for the day. Also, what about one with a freezer on top? That way it'd be sure to be cold enough.
S.T. answers from St. Louis on February 02, 2009
Ditto the last post. Breastmilk keeps really well. I would just use a cooler with ice packs. Way cheaper!
L.B. answers from St. Joseph on February 06, 2009
A regular college fridge is fine...in fact she can just keep it in a cooler and save the money. The breastmilk DOES NOT have to say below 40 degrees...it can stay at room temp for 8-10 hours...but obviously, cooler is better and the milk will last longer (well at least until it gets to baby...lol).
We live in a 2 story house. I bought a small fridge and put it next to the bed for the babies bottles so I wouldn't have to run downstairs in the middle of the night...I have arthritis in my knees so falling was a big possibility...never had a problem with one of the bottles and the kids eventually learned they could just self feed themselves! :) Even better!
C.S. answers from St. Louis on February 03, 2009
breastmilk, when first pumped is actually safe to keep at room temperature for up to 10 hours. I worked as a nurse with my second child and had nowhere to store the milk, so I did a lot of research. I fed my baby just before going to work, so I had milk out for about 10 hours a shift and it was fine. Just a thought. It really doesn't have to be cool at first.
S.D. answers from Topeka on February 02, 2009
Per Medela info you can use 3-4 ice packs depending on the size of cooler or insulated lunch cooler you have and store your breastmilk into for 24 hrs @ 59 degrees.Have her go to Medela.com and get milk storage info before going all out to buy a mini fridge.
L.B. answers from St. Louis on February 03, 2009
They make fridges with freezers.
S.B. answers from Kansas City on February 03, 2009
Your friend might be better off just buying a small cooler and packing it with ice. Breast milk can be kept at room temperature for 8-10 hours so unless she needs to leave it out a lot longer than that, a cooler is so much cheaper than a fridge! Good luck.
S.M. answers from St. Louis on February 03, 2009
Lowes usually has a nice selction of "college" room fridges. I don't know what temperature they run at but they work for dorm rooms and keep milk and food good so it is worth a look to see if that will work.
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