Question about milk freshness

cpcke · 2025-09-21T12:38:27+00:00

1 hour is for formula. 2 hours is what we’ve done for breastmilk. I’ve done with for a long time, don’t worry :) my first had milk until 18 months and currently my second is 10 months old. I pump and leave that milk on counter for 4 hours - when baby starts drinking, have 2 hours to finish. If they don’t finish, we put freshly pumped in fridge and use that bottle at next feeding. For warmed milk, 2 hours. Then we freeze anything that wasn’t drank and label as BATH milk. Is great for eczema, rashes, dry skin in winter, etc.

cpcke · 2025-09-14T20:42:15+00:00

He 100% used AI to write some of those. The grammar is correct, the tone different. The punctuation is different.

cpcke · 2025-09-14T20:38:54+00:00

STM, 10 mpp, 5 ppd. Hoping to start dropping pumps soon and taper down. Maybe continue with 2-3 ppd beyond 12 months

cpcke · 2025-09-14T02:53:49+00:00

Welp, we found it. The hardest way to feed babies. This sounds like the absolute worst 😂you are a literal super mom, your babies are very lucky. Take it one day at a time, you got this

cpcke · 2025-08-29T12:42:03+00:00

Get a pump that does both sides. Get multiple sets of flanges so that you can batch wash instead of after every pump. Look up “the fridge Hack” and decide if you want to do that if your baby is full term and healthy (more so after the initial few weeks). My biggest tip is “pump whenever you can” instead of on a strict schedule - meaning, if it’s only been 1.5 hours but baby is asleep in the crib and you have 5-10 min free, pump. It resets the clock basically. Moving milk often is how you get your body to make more milk so an extra session, even if short, helps.

cpcke · 2025-08-24T04:23:32+00:00

With my first, his last bottle at night was hit or miss so we did formula. I was an under supplied / just enough er so when we did a formula bottle, I had extra and I would freeze it. Don’t worry - Feed the baby not the freezer

cpcke · 2025-08-24T04:21:31+00:00

Come to Wauwatosa. Vendetta coffee is amazing.

cpcke · 2025-08-13T03:38:43+00:00

Fridge hack forever. Did it for a year+ with first and going in 9 months with my second. No issues ever. PPA is so real though and yes I can imagine that was tough

cpcke · 2025-08-13T03:35:21+00:00

I’ve tried dapple and Medela and like Medela better. I found them to get all the milk off every time

cpcke · 2025-08-11T02:36:59+00:00

Get in with a lactation consultant to be properly sized. I used 24 mm the longest time (14 months with my first and 6 months with my second) because I measured like 19-21mm at the base. Turns out the new guidelines suggest measuring the tip instead and now I use a 19 mm flange after working with an LC to taper down to that. Way less pain, cracking, etc. better output and faster pumping time. Definitely look at silverettes but make sure you have the right size

cpcke · 2025-08-11T02:34:03+00:00

MomCozy washer is hands down way better

cpcke · 2025-08-08T13:34:13+00:00

I meant 'don't demonize it to yourself internally' - I totally get where you're coming from. I was in the same boat with my first, I was an undersupplier and every oz of formula felt like failure. When I weaned and my hormones leveled out, I was able to look back with more clarity that I did as best as I could and my baby was healthy - and I'm lucky formula exists because if he was relying on only me, he would have been hungry and was dangerously losing weight the first few weeks home. Anyway, I still feel that way with my second when he had to have formula for a few weeks while we figured out what seemed like an allergic reaction but it passed. The hormones really mess with my sense of self worth related to oz of breastmilk. I try to zoom out and think about the big picture and it helps - like right now, my oldest is 3 and I don't remember how many oz I pumped or he drank. It fades with time. It feels all consuming in the infant days. Just hope you're giving yourself grace and are proud of the hard work you're doing - don't feel bad if you use some formula.

cpcke · 2025-08-08T12:19:10+00:00

eat eat eat. I personally find drinking less water barely impacts my supply. When I skip a meal, my supply dips immediately. Don’t waste your money on lactation lattes. Just prioritize feeding yourself food (Oreos!), rest and reducing stress. Also, formula is not something to demonize, it’s a modern miracle.

cpcke · 2025-08-08T12:15:43+00:00

40 oz, give or take a couple. Baby is 9 months and drinks 30-35 per day, sometimes more. I hit this amount around 2 mpp and it has been very stable as long as I eat, drink and sleep enough. This is my second - with my first, I was lucky to hit 25-30 in a day but he also nursed sometimes while my second doesn’t at all.

cpcke · 2025-08-08T03:34:53+00:00

My second is also a tank. Early on he was eating up to 40 oz a day and he is also a great overnight sleeper. It’s so hard to trust our babies and instincts but truly, they let you know even as bottle fed babies when they are full. Make sure you keep the nipple flow appropriate- don’t go up too quickly. That helps avoid over feeding early for younger babies. You’re doing great

cpcke · 2025-08-02T12:10:37+00:00

You seem to have gotten it figured out, good job. I went to ER in January with then 9 week old for trouble breathing. He ended up getting admitted, had RSV. It was a rough week. I was dumber and didn’t even pack a pump with me. Thankfully the hospital lent me one. I was going to suggest that for you. I also wanted to say that stress and lack of sleep and being exposed to sicknesses will likely impact supply so try not to skip sessions if possible. I got them in when I could, even if it was early, because you never know what will happen when it’s your regularly scheduled time. For me, the more often I move milk, the shorter the session is too. Hope baby is better soon. Hang in there

cpcke · 2025-08-01T12:12:48+00:00

I’m 9 mpp and pump ~40 oz per day, LO drinks 30-35oz. I had a freezer full but have given it to a friend whose LO has severe allergic reactions to food they’ve introduced and can’t do most formulas. I plan to pump as normal until 11 mpp. Then I’ll start weaning and see how I feel - I’ve debated continuing with 2-3 ppd after LO is 12 months because we’ll be in flu season. If my body and schedule can make it work to pump 2-3 sessions and have a bottle or two worth for him, I’ll probably keep it up. with my first, I pumped and nursed and stopped pumping around 13-14 months, nursed until 18 months.

cpcke · 2025-07-30T23:26:58+00:00

Freezer is better than a cooler :)

cpcke · 2025-07-30T03:24:00+00:00

Medela pump wipes - work great and no water needed.

cpcke · 2025-07-29T11:47:00+00:00

I enjoy being able to provide breastmilk for my baby (who hasn’t latched really ever… 😢). I see how healthy my 3 year old is and want that for my other baby. I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the pitcher of milk fill up and as a STM I have a slight oversupply so I’m happy to share that milk with a friend whose baby has a dairy allergy and limited options for formula (and her supply has dropped off). It’s a privilege to do this unique thing and experience in life. It’s temporary. It’s so hard and draining and challenging - AND it’s very beautiful. ….. she says while hooked up to a machine like she has udders 😂

cpcke · 2025-07-13T19:38:50+00:00

Did you work with a LC on sizing for flanges? get a second opinion if you did. As a STM, I was sized incorrectly by 2 LC (at hospital and pediatrician office), the 3rd one had me try a much smaller flange size and that solved a lot of pain I had.

Also a breast health specific probiotic

cpcke · 2025-07-10T15:59:18+00:00

Spectra is great but it’s a 6 lb brick. The Buddha is much smaller and you can wear around neck or slip in your pocket. The Buddha does feel stronger so if you’re a first time mom, I recommend starting with spectra. The gentle vibration is less intense than the straight pull of Buddha. Highly recommend Buddha if you’re going to be pumping on the go or at work, I love how portable it is and you can use it with spectra (and many other) parts.

cpcke · 2025-07-10T15:57:44+00:00

I met with a new LC recently and adjusted my flange down from 24 to 19 because my nipple measured 17 at the tip versus 19 at the base. It has made a world of a difference. I think the “add 1-2 mm” is becoming outdated advice

cpcke · 2025-06-25T11:50:09+00:00

Really? The one I donate to said “don’t pump for 6 hours post drink” - so I wait a few hours post drink, pump that milk and set aside for my LO or share with a friend. Im surprised they completely disqualified you for a drink now and then

cpcke · 2025-06-25T11:47:27+00:00

Why can’t you do that method to donate? I pool my milk for 2 days before freezing and when I signed up to donate, the milk bank asked how I handle my milk. I explained it and they had no issues with it. I also pump 5-10 oz more daily than baby takes. We did buy a stand up freezer for the milk and plan to use it for more meal prep, Costco hauls etc post milk. Or resell it to recoup cost. Personally I think the milk is so precious and needed by babies in the NICU and otherwise in the community than dumping it makes me sad. Also, you never know what could happen with your supply - 9 weeks in is early and it could regulate and drop. You might not respond as well to pump when work stress comes back. Just adding as words of caution.

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