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Storage
of EBM (expressed breast-milk)
-more on page two
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This photo of frozen
ebm is taken from the fridge in the Paed ICU of a Government
Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
All expressed breastmilk
should be stored in sterilised containers either made from
glass or food grade plastics. Each container should be labelled
with the date, time the milk is expressed and if possible,
the quantity in each container. If one is storing ebm with
other mothers' ebm (e.g. in hospitals, babysitters), remember
to also label with either you or your baby's name. |
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Usually, mothers store
ebm in milk bottles, special pre-sterilised bag and other containers.
However, MyMomsBest's members have other time and money saving tips.
MyMomsBest's members are such devoted and loving mothers who produced
litres and litres of ebm for their little ones and usually ran out
of space in the freezer. Thus, the below suggestion also saves space.
Some of these moms are working full-time, travel overseas and yet,
managed to exclusively breastfeed their babies for more than one year
old. Members like Dr Teoh Mei Shi (featured
by The Star), Siaw Fui, Fei Ru and a lot of other members have
bravely and lovingly carted back large cooler box filled ebm which
they gathered when they were away from the babies. With lots of innovative
ideas and determination, these bold and loving mothers have managed
overseas trips on plane, lengthy car trips and made it back with a
supply of ebm for their babies. They are an inspiration to all women
and shining examples of the greatness of mothers' love.
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| I'm
a working mum and have been expressing for the past 2 mos (2nd
time around). Since bb is only 4mos and taking abt 2ozs of EBM/feed,
I store my EBM in those 'ais krim malaysia' packets (can only
be found in some smallish, 'chikai' minimarts). I'd store 2oz
of EBM/packet(approx.1/2 full), tie the top portion of the bag,
label it & chuck it in the freezer. Every morning before
leaving for work, I'd take out a few and let them thaw in the
fridge - easy for maid to feed bb. I
used the same method with bb #2, 2 yrs ago. At 1st I was a bit
apprehensive abt using those packets but figured that since
they are 'food grade' packets, they should be sterilised and
therefore safe for bb. Dunno if the quality of my EBM has been
compromised by using those bags, but both my bbs seem ok and
thriving. |
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The aiskrim malaysia
bags cost (RM1.70 for 100pcs). ..
The bags can only
take max approx. 3ozs (just enough of the plastic left
for you to seal). No rubber bands or sealing clips needed
- just twist the remaining plastic into a knot to tie
it but you should only fill the bag up to 3/4 full.
This method of sealing works for me but sometimes I
detect a small leak. If you're worried, you may want
to store those bags upright in a container. Since it
only stores 3ozs of EBM max, I don't think you need
to reseal the bag, right. I'd normally cut off the top
portion of the bag before pouring the contents into
a bottle to be warmed.
(Suzany) |
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Just
want to share how I store my EBM. I am using the ice trays with cover
(or without cover depends on the contain in your freezer and I bought
my ice tray with cover). Each cube is about 1 oz. After frozen, tranfer
the frozen EBM cube into zipper bag. The cheapest / smallest size
zipper bag is about RM 6 for 60 pcs from Giant, TESCO or Carrefour.
It is sterilised.
I store about 6 EBM cubes in
a zipper bag nicely in a line. Zipped it and folded it nicely. And
then abt 12 bars of the EBM bags into a big zipper bag, easier to
keep in the freezer.
Of course, you have to sterilise
the ice trays. I have been doing for the past 8 months plus and
so far so good. Baby is ok and bag no leaking.
(Siaw Fui)
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You
know what, I bought the 1.5 x 12" ice cream bags and I find that
I can't really handle them either. a lot of my ebm actually ends up
on the kitchen top. So, I went and buy the 4" x 8" instead.
It is working very well for me now. Well, I am staying in a small
town here in Nibong tebal, so most mini markets here have these little
bags.
(Maggy)
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Here's what one mom who is
on a working trip shared about her experience in a hotel's in Bangkok,
where she expressed and stored her milk in the hotel kitchen's freezer
(*if one is using the room minibar, be careful to check that the
freezer temperature is cold enough to freeze the milk):
BTW, so funny this morning.
I went to the hotel's freezer to add more ebm (I am currently travelling
- thanks to Siaw Fui's tips). Though I don't understand Thai, but
I heard the chefs/staff whispering (wondering what is on the tray):
"xxxx ice-cream xxxx toufu xxx ice-cream...". Thanks to
the ice-cream bag, comes the association with ice-cream!!!
They laughed even more when I told them those are frozen ebm.
Fei Ru
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Notes by Lilian
: In certain unavoidable circumstances when a mother has to be away
from her small baby, she finds a certain connection and closeness
to her child if she can continue to carry on expressing milk. Whether
it is a few hours when she is working or weeks when she is away on
assignment. By this act, she is comforted with the thoughts that she
is still able to nurture her child even in her absence. Being able
to do something for her child somehow lessen the heartaches when she
misses her child. Therefore, ideally all women will consider expressing
milk and extend breastfeeding even if she is met with difficult situations.
The moms mentioned above have proven that nothing is too inconvenient
when it comes to providing the best - mother's milk. |
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