Storing Breastmilk / Bubbles in the Bottle?

You may find this FAQ page from the LLL useful to reference: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/milkstorage.html

Many sources recommend briefly scalding the breastmilk (not in the microwave!) Another possible cause is washing the bottles, equipment, etc. in tap water. Enzymes can be activated by metallic ions like those found in tap water. So, washing all equipment/bottles/sippies in distilled water, with a phosphate-free dish soap, may reduce the problem.

Best wishes to you and your little one!

Ok the milk police may come and arrest me but here's my answer...
It's fine. Your baby will let you know if the milk is "off" - believe me! And he's not likely to get sick from drinking it if it is bad, because he won't drink it. Babies are smart that way. The little bubbles are just dissolved oxygen or other gasses that probably got incorporated into your milk as it was dripping into the bottle during pumping.

As for refrigerating and then freezing, it's fine, but it may have a shorter than 3 month freezer lifespan since you've already "used up" some of its time in the fridge, if that makes sense. When I was doing the full time pumping/working thing I would just use the oldest milk in the fridge first, and then every Friday if there was more left than my child would need the following Monday I would stash it in the freezer.

As for the lipase thing, this is only a problem if it's a problem. By that I mean, if your kid will drink it, it's not a problem :)

You can freeze breast milk after 5-7 days in the fridge. And use it with in a year if its in a deep freeze, 6 months if in a regular freezer. Thaw it in warm water if frozen, or microwave only for 30 seconds or so to help it along. Google Breast n Baby Lactation/ Carol Chamblain and all your questions can be answered there, or you can email her and she will answer. She was a great help when i breast fed this past year.

I don't remember the answers to most of your questions, but I can refer you to a wonderful site called www.kellymom.com. It's all you'll ever need to know about breastfeeding.

~C.

It's been a few years for me (and maybe others can confirm) but I thought you're supposed to use refrigerated milk within 24-48 hours and anything longer thatn that should be froze. But, as I said, it's been a couple of years so I could be wrong...

Hi,
I used Dr. Browns bottles because it does not cause gas. Bubbles are ok to see. Are you putting the breast milk in the door? If you are stop because the door will not keep the milk cold enough you have to put it inside the fridge. You will see the milk separate that is ok just shake the milk and it will be fine. Also what I did to heat the bottle is to sit in a cup or bowl under the hot water until it was warm enough. And you can freeze your breast milk as soon as finish pumping (you can buy the breast milk bags in the store)just let thaw in the fridge not on the counter.

I think that is normal kind of like cow's milk bubbles when you pour it or blow into a straw.

It sounds like you are storing and using according to normal guidelines.

Anita,

I am sure that if your baby is drinking it and is happy about it the milk is fine. I am currently breastfeeding my second so the information I have is from a few years ago, but I don't leave my breastmilk in the refridgerator for more than 2 days. If it is going to be longer than that, I freeze it. I don't have a source for where I got that information from, it is the same thing that I did with my older child.

Good Luck,
D.