[nott]

hi,

If I plan to express infrequently, how should I warm the expressed milk at home ( in the milk bottle)?

Do i need to buy those Tommie Tippiee/ avent bottle warmer?

Also, when going out, like to a shopping centre, a park or a picnic ( is that a bad idea with a newborn?), how do you warm the expressed milk?


By the way, I don't get how to store the expressed milk. I read from some books that since we may only expressed a little bit ( like 30-50ml) at the beginning, how to add up those milk? Do you pump that in a bottle, let it cool a bit, then put it to the fridge. Later expressed again using the same bottle/ a new bottle and poured another 30-50ml to the old lot, cool down again and put it back to fridge?

Thanks very much for your kind help.

[solongsuckers]

I always just put some warm water in a jug and sat the bottle in it until it was warm.

I never used expressed milk out and about so I can't help you with that.

Also when I expressed I would just add up the bits I did during the day into the same bottle

[Bluenomi]

I just put the bottle in warm water. DD only ever had EMB daycare so I never had an issue trying to heat bottles while out. It's so much easier to just breast feed when out than bother with expressing, transporting and heating while out!

I got breastmilk ice cube trays that take 30ml per slot. I'd use those and once frozen put in a zip lock bag.

[*~Sam*G~*]

When I have gone out and needed to heat milk I have taken a thermos and a cup to heat the bottle up
When expressing I put the milk in the fridge then when its cooled into the freezer

[Jamelex]

With combining small amounts, express into separate bottles, and place in fridge and they can then be combined once they are the same temperature. You could get away with just two bottles, one to express into and one to keep in the fridge IYKWIM.
Just stand the bottle in hot water to warm, expressed milk should not be heated in a microwave.

[nen-c]

I found the ziplock bags worked the best for storage in the freezer, they don't take up much room, you can write the volume/date on them easily and I didn't care if I just put a small amount in there like 50 ml. Really quick and easy to thaw too.

To thaw and warm: Use hot water from your tap in a bowl or cup or whatever and sit plastic bag of EBM in there. If your hot water is not that hot you can use some kettle and some tap water combined. I would think water straight from the kettle would be too hot. This will thaw the milk and warm it up to a good temp (test first) for feeding. You can use this method when out and about by taking a thermos of hot water (or having access to a hot tap).

If you store milk in the fridge you should only do so for a short time, eg. if you are going to use within a day. One of the best resources for that kind of info is Le Leche League - http://www.llli.org/faq/milkstorage.html

HTH

[sakura73]

My lactation consultant told me you can mix milk (ie from different expressings). I would just add to a bottle in the fridge, or if adding to a bag in the freezer I would chill it in fridge first.

So, if you are freezing 30 ml at a time to make a feed of 120ml, you can add the next 30ml to the frozen bag, provided you have chilled it a little.

You can store in the fridge for 3-4 days provided it is at the back of the fridge. If the milk is from several expressings you should regard it as as old as the first expressing.

I let frozen milk bags thaw overnight in the fridge and then like others heated it in warm (never boiling) water. Out and about I used formula or breast fed. Breast milk does keep several hours at room temp but it would start to separate and look a bit gross so it was easier to just breast feed.

[Tobias'smum]

Hi the place i went to for info was

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au

when i went out some shopping centre mothers rooms have a sink for you to get warm water (myer i found is one of the better places as mothers room tend to be big). if out for a long time i would pack bottles with ice brick and a bit before i knew he would want it i would take it out to warm up a bit - he was fine as long as it wasnt fridge cold .

[agdp07]

So how do you know that the milks temperature is right?
I'm guessing an actual warmer will be quite accurate in this regard?
The midwives used boiled water but I'm worried I will make the milk too hot.
I tried heating with running hot water but it seemed to take too long.

[Jenflea]

ok, this might be a silly question, but if you;re only expressing infrequently and will be home with the baby, why don't you just breastfeed it?
If you're worried about doing it in public you can get covers or muslins to put over you while doing it.

Oh and picnics with a newborn are fine, as long as you stay in the shade and don't let any sun on the baby. They burn REALLY easily!