On a weather like these, I get worried a lot, especially when brown out strikes! Now that i'm a mom, i have one more reason to be wary about brownouts. I’m afraid my breast milk stash in the ref might spoil. I remember during Typhoon Milenyo in 2006, power outage in our place lasted for almost one week!
Breast milk is not sterile, it’s full of good bacteria. Spoilage is imminent so handling and storing breast milk calls for extra care. Be on guard, otherwise, you may end up losing your supply of precious gold!
[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
My Refrigerated Milk Stash[/caption][caption id="attachment_293" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Frozen EBM[/caption]Here are some tips on keeping your expressed breast milk safe during times like this.
- First and foremost, manage your breast milk efficiently. Only freeze breast milk that you won't be using in the next 7 days. Breast milk is easier to manage when it's refrigerated. Frozen milk will have to be consumed within 24 hours once it's thawed. Refrigerated milk can last for 5 to 8 days. For more tips about freezing breast milk, read this.
- Keep the freezer door closed. Opening the door frequently will only let the cold air out, raising the temperature inside the freezer. Open freezer only when absolutely necessary.
- Consider transferring refrigerated milk to the freezer, where it’s colder.
- If breast milk hasn't completely thawed (if there are still some frozen blocks or crystals), I can still refreeze. Locally, there's not much literature on refreezing breast milk. The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington conclude that refreezing EBM with ice crystals is ok. M'ann Oblea of Baby Mama, also says that as long as it has a frozen core, it's ok to refreeze breast milk.
- Don’t refreeze breast milk that has completely melted. Thawed breast milk is good in the refrigerator for 24 hours. At room temperature, it will keep for about 4 hours.
- Contact Meralco for brownout schedule in your area. This may give you an idea on just how long the power outage will last and whether you'll need extraordinary means to keep you milk frozen.
If unfortunately, your entire breast milk stash completely thaws, consider sharing you milk. It’s better than wasting you breast milk by letting it spoil!
- Donate to milk banks. I donate breast milk to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. Contact Ms. Rose of Milk Bank at 9266601. PCMC is located Quezon Avenue corner Agham Road, Quezon City. PCMC has the equipment to pasteurize breast milk for their baby patients.
- Contact Human Milk for Human Babies – Philippines on Facebook which is a platform for those looking for and sharing their breast milk.
- Share thawed breast milk to your friends and co-workers who are also breastfeeding.
Add thawed breast milk to baby food. This is better than using water to thin out pureed veggies and fruits to feed your baby.
Always check the smell and taste of thawed breast milk before giving to baby. Discard milk that smells foul or sour.
If you are a breastfeeding mom affected by the floods, here are some reminders:
- According to Unicef, direct breastfeeding is the best way to feed your infant especially during disasters. With direct breastfeeding, there’s low risk for contamination which is common in disaster situations. There’s no sure supply of potable water during emergency situations.
- Breast milk will provide your baby protection against diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infection, which is common during the rainy season.
- Stress will only slow you’re milk production so try (hard as it is) to be calm. Breastfeeding will release hormones that can lower your stress levels.
- Find a quiet private place where you can directly breastfeed.
Good luck moms and stay safe!
Also worth reading:
- Breast milk storage tips from a working mama
- A working mom's guide on thawing and serving breast milk
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