Building and Managing your Breast Milk Stash

Every working and pumping mom needs to learn how to store expressed breast milk. This is key if you want to feed your little one with your precious liquid gold while you’re at work.

It's every working mama's dream to build up a breast milk stash that could probably last for weeks. To build that dream stash, start pumping 2 - 3 weeks before your scheduled return to work. You'll need to pump to have expressed breast milk (EBM) at this time if you'd like to teach your caregiver how to serve milk to baby.

Here are some tips on storing breast milk:

Know the time limits.

Find out  how long should breast milk should be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

I follow La Leche League's recommendation:

• Room temperature - 4 to 8 hours*
• Refrigerator – 3 to 8 days
• Freezer - 6 to 12 months (at constant temperature)

*Because it's hotter in the Philippines, i follow the lower limit, which is 4 hours at room temperature.

Fridge vs Freezer? 

Some moms are blessed with the problem of having that much milk, they need to decide whether to refrigerate or freeze. I had a fairly abundant supply of milk, especially during the first months. I kept some in the fridge, others in the freezer.  I don't freeze EBM right away.  Since breast milk can last in the fridge up to 8 days, i only freeze EBM that i won't be using within the next week.

According to Dr. Sears, some immunological properties are lost after freezing, so i just try to serve only refrigerated milk for my baby. The frozen milk is for sharing. Frozen milk can come handy for unexpected events, like when you need to be out for longer than usual.

Having cold liquid milk in store is more convenient, since i didn't have to wait for EBM to thaw when it's baby feeding time.

Choose your EBM container.

Know which containers to use and decide which of them will fit your needs.

You can choose from plastic bottles, bags or glass jars as milk containers.

Plastic bottles

• Reusable, so it's more eco friendly
• Hard side plastics are more stable for travel
• Comes with screw caps for secure storage even in transit
• More expensive than plastic bags and glass jars
• The cheapest BPA bottles i found are from Evenflo, at P 399 for 4 pieces of 4 oz bottles

Plastic storage bags

• Cheaper than plastic bottles
• Can be bent or flexed to conform to limited freezer space
• Single use only, produces more waste
• No washing and sterilizing required
• The cheapest plastic bags are from Baby Mama, at P200 per 3o pcs with 7 oz measured capacity

Glass bottles

• Reusable and washable
• Don't contain BPA
• Cheap, i  recycle baby food glass jars as breast milk containers
• Don't use glass jars when freezing EBM, milk expands during freezing.

Store in small quantities to lessen waste. 

Store milk in single serve amounts. 2 to 4 ounces per container might be enough for newborns. For older babies follow an educated estimate, based on his daily consumption. My baby's milk intake dropped a bit when he started on solids.

Like water, breast milk expands at freezing point so do not fill the plastic bag or  bottle to its full capacity.

You can mix expressed breast milk from different days. Cool expressed breast milk so it will have the same temperature with the older breast milk.  When labeling,  follow the date of the older milk.

Label your EBM

Make it a habit to label your milk. Do this right after pumping so you won’t get confused. Use masking tape and permanent marker.

Write these information: date and time the milk was expressed and volume (if using glass or storage bags)

It's hard to write on cold wet surface so label the container first before putting in the milk.

Organize your stash.

Keep milk from the same dates in one portion of the ref so you won't have to dig out your entire stash when looking for the oldest milk.

Use the first in first out rule. Since there are limits to how long your breast milk can last, use the oldest milk first.

Double wrap your breast milk container.

Your ref can harbor a lot of odors from different food for the entire family. If you put the family's foods along with baby's breast milk in the fridge, remember to wrap your milk in plastics or food container. EBM, if stored in the ref or fridge for so long can pick up flavors and odors from other foods stored there.

Keep a small jar of baking soda in the fridge to absorb unwanted odors. Some babies are sensitive to odors. They might refuse EBM that's infused foreign odor.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling breast milk. Breast milk is not sterile. Like any food it requires proper hygiene to assure of its cleanliness and freshness.

Read my post on handling breast milk during brownouts.

There you go, just some tips from a working and pumping mama. Good luck building that stash!

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Getting Ready to Breastfeed: Tips from a (non)Expert

Congratulations on your new baby! Today is the beginning of your days as a mom!

Part of being a mom is learning the art of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is among the best ways mom express their love for her baby. Breast milk is the best nourishment a woman can give to ensure baby’s health and later on in his life.

I’m not an ob or a pediatrician, not even a lactation consultant. I’m a newbie mom, just sharing how I started breastfeeding based on actual experiences and months of research.

My baby is exclusively breastfed for almost seven months now, not a single drop of formula so far!

Source of Photo:DOH

Here are my tips based on my own experience:

Breastfeed right away!

Ask your ob if you can breastfeed right after baby is delivered, right in the delivery room. You need to breastfeed as early as possible. The rationale is that baby’s suckling on your nipples will signal your brain to start milk production. But in my case, since i had emergency c-section, i wasn’t able to latch right at the operating table. We’ve previously discussed this with our ob, she said it was possible to latch right away after delivery normal and uncomplicated delivery.

If you were not able to breastfeed right after baby was born, don’t despair! Just make up for lost time by letting baby suck more frequently or if not possible,  pump frequently.  After this time, the law of supply and demand will apply, meaning the more your breast is emptied, the more milk shall be produced.

Make clear instructions to your pedia and the nursery staff about feeding baby.

Make it clear that you don’t intend to give formula. Ask them about  baby’s feeding schedule you can be there to nurse her. If for some reason, you can’t feed baby directly, express breast milk  and bring this to the nursery. Nurseries usually have refrigerators or freezers where expressed milk can be stored. Husband and I would go everyday to the nursery during the entire period baby was in the NICU. We brought the expressed breast milk i pumped the night before. Make sure to write the necessary information on the breast milk container.

It’s a good idea to bring these items to the hospital:

• Breast pump (even just a manual type will do). This  can be used if, for some reason, baby can be directly breastfed right away.  Since my baby was stuck in the NICU for 7 days, my husband  bought a First Years manual pump so that i could start pumping milk.
• Breast milk containers – hard plastic bottles or stoarage bags  will do. These will be used to store the milk you expressed. Remember to use sterilized BPA-free containers.
• Masking tape and pen  to label and date your milk. On the container write important details like baby’s name, date and time pumped and volume of expressed breast milk.
• Warm water & cotton – I used this to clean my nipples. Lightly scrub the nipples with wet cotton to clean them.
• Hot compress – Heat encourages milk production. I used a hot pack with warm water and it put this on  my breasts for a few minutes before i  started pumping.
• Nursing cover – just in case if you have visitors and you need to pump in your room
• Cooler with ice packs – Good to store expressed breast milk here in case your still too weak to bring milk every pumping session. If ever baby’s left behind in the nursery once you’re discharged, cooler can be used to transport your expressed milk.

In case you feel that your milk isn’t enough

• Yes, you’re free to give formula just so baby can be fed upon pedia’s orders. But don’t be too  dependent of formula if you intend to breastfeed. Let baby suck on your nipples so that your will be stimulated. Giving formula should be your last resort if you intend to breastfeed long term.

• Ask for your nursing mom friends to give you some expressed breast milk. I gave expressed milk to my sister’s newborn so we can avoid giving formula.

Don’t fret if you get too little milk.

• Baby’s stomach is still as small as  a marble, so he required small amount of milk per feeding.
• Milk initially “comes in” as colostrum, which is thick, sticky and yellow.  These are just a few ounces,the perfect food to you newborn. Then “true” milk (colored white and less thick consistency) comes in later days.
• Don’t stress out. Stress impedes milk production,so stay motivated.

Here’s what you can do encourage milk production:

• Directly breastfeed. No other breast pump can imitate your baby’s sucking powers. Always put you baby on your breast so milk production  is induced. Newborns usually feed every 2-3 hours.
• Pump for a few more minutes after direct breastfeeding. This will signal your brain to produce more milk.

If baby seems unsatisfied even right after breastfeeding, don’t fret.It may not be because of your milk. These could be the reasons why baby seems hungry often:

• A newborn’s stomach is still small (just the size of a marble) so he requires small but frequent feeding.
• Unlike formula, breast milk is much more easily digested so baby needs to be fed more often (8-12 times per day). This is the reason why formula-fed babies  seem more satisfied longer than breastfed babies.

Learning to latch is hard! Some say breastfeeding is a natural process, but i had difficulties as well. It’so overwhelming to carry your baby for the first time and then feed him on your breasts.

• I found this visual guide useful when baby and i were learning how to latch. Research on  different breastfeeding positions and try which one works best for you and baby. Baby might cry if you try to let him suck, but don’t get stressed. Just try again.
• Some moms swear that trying to latch is painful at the breast,this may be because of your poor posture or bad breastfeeding position.
• Don’t be discouraged if you feel like an idiot learning to latch at the nursery. Once you are at the comfort of your own home, you’ll be free to try other breastfeeding positions.

Newborns are naturally sleepy almost all the time. My then newborn sucked for 2-3 minutes and dozed off.

• You should wake baby up  to encourage him to suck some more.To wake baby, remove some of his clothing or tickle his feet! I did not this then, so i just held my sleeping newborn for one hour, hoping he would wake up so he could suck.
• Holding baby can strain your back and arms so use pillows for support.
• Some moms hire lactation consultants to learn breastfeeding techniques, but some, like me, learn as I go. Ask the nursery staff for some breastfeeding pointers.
• You can also contact breastfeeding advocate groups like Latch. They do respond! I personally emailed them once and they replied.
• This, this and this websites were my main source of information when i was doing research on breastfeeding.

Feed on demand.

• There’s no hard and fast rule on how long and how often baby should feed, so don’t be too strict in the timing. The every-three hour rule is arbitrary.
• Instead of watching the clock, watch out for baby’s hunger cues like, sucking or putting her hands on her mouth.

 Baby’s suckling vs pump

• Babies are  better at emptying your breast than a pump. A pediatrician said pumps could only collect fore milk while with baby suckling,  he can access hind milk, which contains more fat.
• Treat the pump as a back-up to direct breastfeeding. Pumps come handy if you can’t directly breastfeed right away. These are some situations when direct feeding may not be possible:
  • If you had c-section
  • If you are too weak to go to nursery
  • If baby’s in the NICU and still under observation

If possible, avoid offering articial nipples or pacifiers. Initially, all of baby’s suckling should be on your breasts.

• Milk can be fed thru cup feeding, but some doctors suggest a nipple to check on baby’s ability to suck.
• If it’s a must to train baby to take the bottle,  like when mom needs to work, introduce bottles later. Bottles can be introduced 4 to 6 weeks later or when direct breastfeeding is established.
• Bottle refusal is common, according to my pediatrician. She said, it’s natural since no man-made nipple (silicone or latex) can be as soft as woman’s nipple. Don’t be too concerned about bottle refusal, my baby eventually learned to feed from a bottle after i went back to work.

Anxious moms ask, when does milk come in?

• This is a valid mommy concern. For me, breast milk came in 2 days after baby delivery. Some say milk comes in much later. Initially, when baby sucks on, you can’t really tell if he get any milk at all. Don’t be discouraged by this. Remember that every sucking motion will only be added stimulation to encourage lactation.
• What’s important is breasts are stimulated right away through baby’s suckling or pumping as soon as possible.

The first few weeks post partum are crucial to establish milk production.  One of my friends says she was frustrated with breastfeeding because her milk came in  only after two weeks! She said she quit breastfeeding because she got discouraged when baby cried and can’t get any milk from her. She had a pump much later.  She then decided to give formula to baby.

How do you know if you’re on the right track? You can’t really tell how many ounces you produce or is that enough. Breastfeeding is on the right track if these conditions are observed:

• he’s gaining enough weight
• he wets at least 6 diapers daily
• he seems satisfied after a feeding

Ask your pediatrician for advice if you feel you’re not producing enough milk. I you feel intimidated about the volume you produce, you’re also free to mix feed. By all means, add formula to his diet. It’s better to supplement with formula than no breast milk at all.

Don’t give up on breastfeeding right away. Exhaust all efforts to make breastfeeding a success. Virtually all moms can breastfeed but some moms lack the proper information and technical know-how.

Take time to try and give the best nourishment for your baby. You may read my list of breastfeeding benefits for your inspiration!

Good luck!!!

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Alarming Facts about Breastfeeding in the Philippines

August is Breastfeeding Month!

I would like to highlight some alarming facts about breastfeeding in our country. Statistics mentioned here are from 2008 National Demographic Health Survey by the National Statistics Office.

[caption id="attachment_251" align="aligncenter" width="256"] Source of Photo: Unicef[/caption]

Average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is only 21 days! 

[caption id="attachment_2568" align="aligncenter" width="268"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

This means that on the  average, Filipino babies are fed with breast milk alone for just 3 weeks! From day 22 onward,  most moms needed to supplement with formula or water. This is alarming because baby’s first few weeks are crucial in establishing breastfeeding. Breast milk alone is sufficient until 6 months.

I’ve encountered moms who stopped breastfeeding early on. Here are some of the reasons why they stopped:

•  She thinks she doesn't have enough milk


•  She said her milk came in late


•  She said she had to work

To take on the breastfeeding challenge, moms need to toughen up! The first weeks of breastfeeding will be a test of your patience and determination.

My sister was reduced to tears at times when no milk came out. This was at the first 2 weeks postpartum. She panicked and pleaded my parents to let her give formula to baby. Thankfully, they resisted and now she's continuing to breastfeed. If this happens, just stand back for a while and relax. Moms need to get through the agony of doubting if she can produce enough milk for baby. But I dare say that formula should be the last option.

While sharing the a hospital room with a mom who had just delivered and just started to breastfeed, we heard a lot of screams and shrieks from the newborn. After about a whole day of baby’s crying while attempting to latch, the MIL seemed worried and summoned a relative to buy formula.  She thought giving formula would suffice baby’s hunger. True enough, baby stopped crying as he happily downed a bottle. But this does not solve the “learning to latch problem”. I think crying is just a phase. Resist the urge to supplement with formula early on. The key to producing milk is to empty breasts regularly. You won’t be able to do this if you add formula to the equation.

When you’re just starting to breastfeeding, it’s normal for baby (and you ,too) to cry because both of you are still learning. Crying is baby’s only way to say what she’s feeling so best to decode her cries first before deciding that you breast milk is not enough. Check if your posture and latch position are correct. Put hot compress on your breast before latching to encourage milk production.

Before offering any formula to baby, make sure to check with your pedia.  Here are some clues to check if baby's getting enough breast milk:

• if he's gaining weight (it's normal for newborns to shed some weight in the first week as he excretes black waste called meconium)


• if he wets more than 6 diapers in 24 hours


• if he seems satisfied after a feed (to the point of sleeping)

Only one of three babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed

[caption id="attachment_2569" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

Breast milk alone has enough nutrients to cover baby’s needs. Read this if you want to know more about the benefits of breastfeeding both for baby and mom. Both Unicef and World Health Organization recommend 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth and health of the baby.

Introducing formula can sabotage your breastfeeding plans. At the early stage it's normal that you produce just a few mL.  Always take note that the amount milk you produced is enough to suffice your baby's need. At just days old,  your baby's stomach is as large as a cherry, so you produce that much milk.  Don't be pressured if you don't see milk oozing out at this this stage.  Focus on learning to latch and soon enough, you'll see satisfaction as your baby begins to swallow your breast milk.

Don’t be misinformed about formula. Check the can of every formula. It's indicated there that "Breast milk is best for babies!"

College graduates are less likely to breastfeed than other moms with lower educational attainment. 

[caption id="attachment_2570" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

Breastfeeding rate drops as educational level rises. Yes, there’s an opposite relationship between breastfeeding and mom’s education. I guess this may be related to moms’ career. Most moms need to go back to work after a month or so after having a baby so they opt to stop breastfeeding.

Again I’d like to remind moms that breastfeeding while working is possible! Here’s my previous blog post about pumping at work.  Your commitment to breastfeed will be tested during this time. Except some adjustment as you squeeze in pumping in your busy schedule. But keep in mind that you're extracting the best milk there is for your little one. That should be motivation enough for you!!

Pump at work, it’s your right!  Read the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act  so you know your rights.  The internet has been abuzz recently about the proposed revisions of the Milk Code. One of my beef regarding the revisions is the changes regarding lactation period. What's previously paid lactation period is now being proposed to be unpaid.  Imagine how hard it will be for pumping moms if such revisions are passed!

Babies from poor households are more likely to be breastfed than babies from richer households 

[caption id="attachment_2571" align="aligncenter" width="265"] Source: NDHS, 2008[/caption]

I'm glad about this fact! This means that the poor won’t need to spend on formula milk. I hope more and more poor families opt to breastfeed. I do hope the richer population realize that breast milk is superior to formula. No pricey formula can bump off the benefits breastfeeding brings.

The biggest purchase, if a mom decides to breastfeed is a breast pump, which could be worth  at least P5,000 depending on the model. But in the long run, breastfeeding is still more economical than opting to regularly buy formula.  I  checked out formula milk prices from several stores. A big can of formula costs about P1,500, depending on the brand.  According to Unicef, the minimum cost of formula feeding an infant per month is P2000!

Mothers who delivered baby in hospitals are less likely to breastfeed than those who delivered at  home. Those assisted by health personnel are less likely to breastfeed than those assisted by a hilot. 

[caption id="attachment_2573" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Source: NDHS 2008[/caption]

This mirrors the sad state of most of our hospitals. Most of our hospitals are  not breastfeeding-friendly. I do hope government programs like the Unang Yakap, improve the breastfeeding policies of hospitals (public, at least).

Always assert baby’s right to be given breast milk. Hospitals should accommodate breastfeeding moms.  I was disappointed at the hospital where my sis gave birth. The nurses turned down my expressed breast milk for my nephew. At that time he had to be bottlefed in the NICU.  The nurses said there's no more space in their freezer. What? Why don't they have a freezer that's big enough to accommodate donated milk? Oh well, i'm just sharing my frustration.

Look for breastfeeding - friendly ob and pedia who will guide you in the first steps to establish breastfeeding.  Let them know of your intention to latch right away after baby's birth. This will hasten milk production.

Inform your pedia that you intend to breastfeed you baby. I've noticed that some pedia are keen on recommending formula to their newborn patients.  Here are some guidelines when looking for a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician. Read up of breastfeeding so you can be informed.

•  Know that the decision on what to feed baby belongs to you.

The facts mentioned above call for vigilance from breastfeeding moms and their families. More so now that proposals to jeopardize the very law that protect the rights of breastfeeding moms.  Atty. Jenny Ong of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom gave a comprehensive primer on the bills pending in congress that will spread (mis)information about formula and make breastfeeding harder for working moms.

Ever since i started breastfeeding, it's been my goal to encourage fellow moms to try it as well. I also believe that breastfed babies make healthy children and healthy children make good citizens.

Kudos to all breastfeeding moms!!!

Also worth reading:

• Is your pediatrician breastfeeding friendly?


• For breast milk givers and takers