https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 05:13:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lets-talk-about-pumping#post-2912692 Mon, 23 Mar 2020 13:24:35 +0000 Clementine12 2912692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a low supply with DD1. We supplemented at 6 mos and I was pumping maybe 6 oz/day by the end of it. I planned to be more intentional about my supply with DD2 (starting to pump earlier and on a schedule, being better about pumping at work on a schedule) and I have been successful - I built up a big stash during mat leave and now I'm back at work full time and adding to the stash daily instead of depleting it.</p> <p>I want to keep a stash since i know my supply will drop when my cycle returns and when DD starts sleeping more at night. However it's been on my mind lately with the general craziness of our world to see if I can donate breast milk.</p> <p>Wondering how much of a stash would you be comfortable keeping before donating milk?</p> <p>DD2 is 3 mo and i leave 16 oz/day which is a bit more than she will take. I pump 5 times/day (on the way to work, 3 times at work, once 2 hours after she goes down for the night) and have been getting about 20 oz/day. I bf and pump at night when I am home with her - adding 5 oz to the stash/day. Baby gets oldest frozen milk on Mondays and fresh milk every other day.</p> <p>Have you ever donated? What is the process like? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-give-your-baby-a-friends-breastmilk#post-2892398 Fri, 26 Jul 2019 06:23:37 +0000 pachamama 2892398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how this will be received, but I was thinking of asking my step-sister for a few (dozen?) ounces. I'm not producing a ton and I really need a freezer stash for a weekend away. She told me she has a freezer full that she doesn't use anymore.<br /> Is this is totally weird and gross or normal? Would you do it? I'm kind of scared to ask her, she'd prob be weirded out, but just wondering what you think 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-wont-drink-thawed-frozen-breastmilk#post-2880845 Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:44:19 +0000 mediagirl 2880845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to defrost milk for the first time today for my 4 month old to drink while I was at work. She refused both bottles that she has been offered today. I smelled the milk after defrosting and it did not smell soapy or bad. </p> <p>I defrosted the milk overnight in the fridge and then ran cold water on the bags to defrost the rest of the way.</p> <p>Any tips for getting her to drink frozen milk when needed? Tips on how to defrost differently? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-donate-your-stash#post-2855669 Wed, 07 Nov 2018 23:08:55 +0000 LCTBQE 2855669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 10 weeks PP (baby was born late August) and had a big/uncomfortable oversupply that didn't correct until about a month ago, resulting in a 300 oz freezer stash, about half from September and half from October. I'm still over-producing by around 8oz/day. I don't anticipate using any of it until I go back to work in January, and I'll be pumping at work, so I'm not sure how much of the stash I'll even need. </p> <p>I've read that the breastmilk composition changes quickly as babies grow to accommodate different nutritional needs--so what I'm wondering is when does the window close for when my daughter could really stand to benefit from the early stuff? Should I donate it? If so, any tips or resources for how to go about donation would be much appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cycling-through-freezer-stash#post-2853557 Fri, 26 Oct 2018 16:49:14 +0000 Mrsbells 2853557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is your method of cycling through your pumped milk in the freezer. With DD I just kept adding milk to the freezer and ended up with milk that was a few months old before feeding it to her. Now I'm trying to make sure I feed DS2 the milk while it is as fresh as possible so I am alternating between giving fresh pumped milk and thawed milk from the freezer. How did you cycle through your freezer stash? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-pumped-milk-did-you-need-stored-before-returning-to-work#post-2805786 Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:20:35 +0000 periwinklebee 2805786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to go back to work part-time when my son is eight weeks. I've already been pumping, but am using it to top up his feedings when needed (he tends to be a lazy eater) and haven't been able to store anything yet. He's still eating every two hours (and would prefer to eat even more often), so the only option is to pump immediately after a feed. The LC and my postpartum doula encouraged me to start storing, but I'm a bit worried about how much of a stash I'll be able to build up in the next few weeks. Just curious how much stored milk others felt was necessary to make the transition reasonably smooth...I'll have flexibility initially to pump as needed at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/frozen-breast-milk-question#post-2785950 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 22:50:29 +0000 schubr03 2785950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, long time, no post (#workingmom).<br /> I started building up my stash when DD was about 2 months. I have probably over 1000 ounces. Thing is, she is 6 months now and we have NEVER used any of it. I produced more than enough for her at daycare, nurse her, and still freeze some each day. My original plan was to use my stash when I decided to stop pumping. But I haven’t done that and don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Is it bad to give an older baby milk that was pumped when she was 2-3 months old? I know milk changes to support the baby’s needs, so I don’t want to give her something that isn’t going to give her enough nutrients for her age. What should I do? TIA </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-move-frozen-breastmilk#post-2767904 Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:09:30 +0000 jennlin821 2767904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey everyone!<br /> So we are moving in two weeks from Texas to Maine.<br /> I have a small stash of frozen breast milk, about 2 of these storage containers - what is the best way to transport it without it defrosting? I'll be flying with DD and DH will be driving (4 days). </p> <p>Because we will be staying at my parents house for a few days to begin with, I was thinking of just shipping it directly to them... but the few internet searches turns up info to ship non-frozen breast milk. it can be kept cold, but not frozen. </p> <p>Help! </p> [attach=7686/17/ouqi9k.355x355.71rmo5wSPfL__SY355_.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-breast-milk-in-one-storage-bag#post-2756345 Sat, 08 Jul 2017 22:29:25 +0000 schubr03 2756345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I have been working on my stash for my breast milk for when I start back at work in a month. I am wondering, how much milk do you put in each storage bag? Do you mix your pumped milk (meaning 4 oz from morning session, 4 oz from next session, etc)? If you out more milk in each bag than what your baby eats at one sitting, how do you portion it. Any tips and tricks are welcome. I am currently putting about 4-6 oz in each bag and laying flat to freeze. I have about 250-300 oz frozen currently and am pumping about 10-15 oz per day. Tell me your secrets! I like to be as organized and efficient as possible! Share pictures if you have them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freezing-bm-in-a-bottle#post-2705760 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 17:05:27 +0000 meadow 2705760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel silly asking this ......</p> <p>I brought home an extra bottle from daycare today. Can I throw the bottle (plastic) in the freezer then just thaw overnight in the fridge for Monday? I figure this would save the little bit of waste in transferring to a plastic bag &amp; back.</p> <p>I know freezing in glass is ok but wasn't sure about my plastic bottle (sans nipple of course!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-expressed-milk-during-feedings#post-2615497 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:08:21 +0000 rockinghorse 2615497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So MIL and DH watch DD (4 months old) during the day. DD is EBF along with expressed milk. MIL insists that DD needs to eat until she refuses to eat anymore, which is turning into larger and larger quantities, culminating in her eating an 8 oz bottle yesterday (the 2 before were over 6 oz). So she ate over 20 oz while I was gone for 8 hours.</p> <p>I don't know about you but I am crazy about my stash, and I think that 8 oz is too much. Kelly Mom says that they should be getting 24-30 oz a day no matter the age, and I would like to have her max out at 6 oz a bottle. </p> <p>Am I just being greedy with my stash? How much are your LO's getting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-defrosted-breastmilk-after-24-hrs#post-2611662 Fri, 26 Aug 2016 13:55:41 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2611662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What happens to frozen breastmilk after it's been defrosted for 24 hours? Is it spoilt like its rotten or like its lost its nutritional value/benefits? I exclusively nurse my 7 month old, even while she's in daycare. Her infant teacher wants to give her breastmilk in a cup (about an oz a day) with "meals", but I don't ever have time to pump to have fresh milk for that. I have a small freezer stash for date nights/emergencies but they're not in 1oz portions. Can she use the defrosted stuff over a period of a few days since its not for nutrition? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/oversupply-and-pumped-milk#post-2557298 Thu, 26 May 2016 14:29:17 +0000 autumnleaves 2557298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I think my LO is suffering from an oversupply issue I have. I think I started pumping too early. He has had a lot of green frothy poop and fussiness after feedings. Some spit up - not a lot. He has been gaining weight though.<br /> I plan to offer only 1 breast and not 2 at feedings to try to resolve the oversupply issue but was wondering if anyone knows if I need to throw out my pumped milk stash or not. I've been pumping once or twice a day until my breasts are empty so I am thinking the pumped milk should have a balance of foremilk and hindmilk but I am not sure.<br /> Does anyone have experience with this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fridge-to-freezer-question#post-2548048 Thu, 12 May 2016 18:38:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2548048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Something I've been wondering about for a long time- if I have a bottle of freshly pumped milk in the fridge, then I want to move it to a bag to freeze, usually the thick fatty parts are stuck to the side of the bottle while cold. How do you make sure to get all that good stuff when you pour into the freezer bag? I usually run the closed bottle under hot water just so the bottle itself warms up, and the solid parts swirl into the rest of the milk. But I'm definitely warming it up a little. Problem? Is there any easier way? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stash-is-going-to-fall-short-of-business-trip-need#post-2526515 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 21:09:41 +0000 Corduroy 2526515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a business trip coming up the 25th-27th. DS is 10 months, BF, and eats solids well. I have almost no stash. I'm just now realizing that there's no way I can pump enough extra milk in 9 days for a 3 day trip. I'm guessing I can add two pump sessions and get 3-4oz per day more total. That's only about 30 fl oz. </p> <p>I've been sending 10 oz to daycare every day. I'm thinking about sending 8oz next week and stashing the extra 10oz. </p> <p>Combined that's only about half of what I need. </p> <p>After doing the math and writing this out I think it's time to buy some formula. Unless anyone sees a better way? </p> <p>I could ship day 1 milk from the trip to arrive for the second half but it's so spendy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-big-frozen-stash-what-did-you-do-with-it#post-2494926 Tue, 15 Mar 2016 08:42:41 +0000 mrsjyw 2494926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have about 400 oz that I haven't cycled through much since I wah and nurse whenever I can...</p> <p>My friend at work purposely built a huge freezer during her maternity leave so she could stop nursing/bfing... and she did at 7 months or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-build-up-a-bm-stash#post-2495212 Tue, 15 Mar 2016 12:13:52 +0000 ShootingStar 2495212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I had DS I was never able to build up a stash on maternity leave. From week 2-8 we had thrush and I was afraid to save the milk. I also felt like I was nursing around the clock and had no idea when to pump. My leave was shorter too, and I was back at work part time at 10 weeks.</p> <p>So if you built up a stash on maternity leave, how did you do it? When did you start pumping? How often? How did you manage the timing of pumping around feedings? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cut-back-on-pumped-milk#post-2494730 Mon, 14 Mar 2016 21:33:45 +0000 Corduroy 2494730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you drop a bottle or the size of a bottle first?</p> <p>LO is 9 months and eats a lot of solids (meat, eggs, veggies, fruit, cheerios, etc). Since he started eating more solids and sleep training I've been producing less at work. I'm down to 8-10oz per day from 15.5oz. Should I be doing two bottles instead of 3? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-get-from-the-pump-after-nursing#post-2471629 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:48:13 +0000 birdofafeather 2471629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Currently trying to build a stash by this weekend because I'm going away for 2.5 days for a bachelorette party. I think I'm 20 oz short (!!) so I'm pumping like a madwoman after each feed. Currently getting .5-2 oz depending on the time so no idea if I'm gonna make it or not! Using fennel and basil essential oils along with drinking water and mother's milk tea to up my chances. </p> <p>If you ever pumped after nursing, how much did you get afterward? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-oz-before-returning-to-work#post-2458509 Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:46:18 +0000 maybebaby 2458509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have in your freezer stash? Was it too much? Too little? Just right? Returning in four weeks and starting to plan! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-portion-your-breastmilk-to-freeze#post-2403923 Wed, 30 Dec 2015 06:12:52 +0000 peaches1038 2403923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS will be 8 weeks old on Sunday and I started pumping to get ready to go back to work about 2 weeks ago. I get between 8 and 10 oz each time I pump (only pumping 1x/day right now). I've been freezing it in whatever amount I get- so I have some bags with 8, 8.5, 9, etc oz. right now he eats 4 oz when we give him a bottle. Should I freeze it in 4 oz portions? Not sure what will be easier when he starts daycare in a month. How do you portion your breastmilk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wah-or-sah-how-often-do-you-pump#post-2387476 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:30:23 +0000 mrsjyw 2387476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wah except for a handful of days a month. I had a frozen stash before work started and have been pumping in the morning (ds nurses one side, i pump the other)... but I just haven't had a chance to really cycle through the stash so in the last couple days I'm slowly starting to stop my morning pump session. </p> <p>I think I will just pump when I need to if I miss a nursing session. Adding to the frozen stash daily seems like a waste for our routine at this point... I have I think over 450 oz or so that doesn't diminish much...</p> <p>Although, of course now I'm fearing that something bizarre will happen and I will need to keep pumping! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-sah-or-wah-and-have-a-freezer-stash#post-2354430 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:15:13 +0000 mrsjyw 2354430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>how do you cycle through it?</p> <p>With DS1 I was in the office three days a week mostly and it was easy to cycle through... Now that I'm home almost every day, I nurse almost always while adding one pump session each day to my stash. I think I have more than 400 oz... and only pull out a bag or two for my random office day here and there...</p> <p>Just wondering if I should start giving DS the older frozen milk and freeze fresh?</p> <p>We keep it in a deep freezer so I know it has a longer shelf life... but still wondering since I have milk from July! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thawed-breastmilk-smells-weird#post-2334864 Mon, 26 Oct 2015 23:25:55 +0000 simplyfelicity 2334864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MIL was watching DS tonight and gave him BM from the freezer stash. She said he wouldn't touch it, so I gave it the smell test and it had this horrid metallic smell-- not spoiled or freezer burn. I have no idea how she thawed it. I am now worried that I have nearly 400 oz of bad milk. They are stored in BM bags in a locked stand up freezer (so it should be good for 6-12 months.) Help please?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lets-play-keep-or-toss#post-2323148 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:09:02 +0000 78h2o 2323148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is pumped milk really ok for 24 hrs in an insulated cooler bag? I left milk in the bag overnight. It's not warm, but doesn't feel esp cold (like if had been in the fridge) and the ice pack is no longer frozen. The milk was pumped yesterday and some of it was in the refrigerator for a few hours. It seems to smell and taste ok, but I don't usually smell or taste it, so I don't really know. Keep or toss? I don't have much of a stash but I don't want her to get sick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/too-old#post-2285331 Tue, 08 Sep 2015 06:57:09 +0000 MenagerieMama 2285331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I mismanaged my frozen stash (another post to come!). I have about 20-30 oz of milk that's over 6 mo frozen (not in a chest freezer, just the attached) but less than a year. Would you toss it? I was thinking of using it in cooking (baby pancakes) as a compromise. Or would you just use it as normal? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-many-ounces-did-you-have-in-your-freezer-stash#post-2280632 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:21:52 +0000 simplyfelicity 2280632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you had a freezer stash, how many ounces did you have? Was it enough? Too much? </p> <p>LO was born two months ago and I have about 200 oz. I pump daily after our first morning feed. I am trying to anticipate a possible supply dip once I go back to work. Hoping to have 600 oz when I go back to work in January. </p> <p>Thanks! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-use-your-freezer-stash#post-2252099 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:56:34 +0000 simplyfelicity 2252099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For now, I am doing a combo of breastfeeding and pumping and freezing the extra. Since I started a month ago (when DS was born,) I have frozen approx 100 oz. I am not sure if this is going to be typical or not. If I keep this up, I will have about 600 oz when I go back to work (it's being stored in a deep freezer.)<br /> In order to keep up supply, I know I need to pump the amount of feedings he gets at daycare. So...when would I actually use my freezer stash? Just when I am ready to wean or if a bottle spills, etc? Or if my volume takes a hit? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/overnight-trip-but-no-stash#post-2250006 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:35:12 +0000 regberadaisy 2250006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Next Friday, DH and I will be away from our girls for the first time overnight. I am so looking forward to it but I'm also getting stressed that despite my best attempts I have not been able to add to my measly stash. Just this morning I had to bust into one out of my 2 bags. :( which means I have 4 oz in the freezer now.</p> <p>I'm pumping twice a day at work and before bed. I'm pumping just enough for her daycare bottles the next day. I keep hoping pumping nightly through the weekend will give me an extra bag to freeze. But every Friday I have an issue and need the weekend to catch back up for Monday.<br /> I'll be away from her for about 36 hours and will need about 25 ounces. I'm thinking of adding a lunch time session tomorrow and all next week. But I'm not holding my breath that will increase my total output for the day. My boobs just don't work that way!<br /> She's 11 months and I suspect might have be lactose intolerant. She hasn't had formula since she was a few days old and a crazy selfish part of me really wanted to finish it out without giving any more. But I'm also afraid she won't take it since she hasn't had any.</p> <p>What would you do? Offer soy milk? Formula? Tell her caregiver to up the solids? She definitely needs some kind of formula / milk supplement to my breastmilk.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shipping-breast-milk-with-dry-ice#post-2247018 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:52:16 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2247018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are taking a belated 5th anniversary trip next month, and we're leaving my son with my parents for one-two nights. My son is 8.5 months old and still nurses 4-5 times a day. We've already checked breast milk with dry ice below a plane, and were completely panicked when our flight was canceled and thought we might lose the 200 ounces we were carrying. Luckily we made it home and the milk was still frozen, but I don't want to deal with that hassle/worry again. Has anyone successfully shipped breast milk with dry ice? Did you use USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, etc.? Any tips? </p>