question re breast milk...

[Sally81]

Hi all...

I know there are probably endless threads about breast milk so I hope no one minds me posting a new one.

I'm a new mum with a two week old and am breast feeding. We still haven't fed in public and I'm really nervous about it as we're still finding our feet.

I just wondered - if I express milk to give baby while we''re out, but actually end up feeding him properly (as I'd like to try!) can I put the expressed stuff back in the fridge when we get home because I hate the thought of wasting it?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Saffron]

If you're only out for a couple of hour and can keep the expressed milk cool, it should be fine to put back in the refrigerator. Your midwife/HV should be able to give you info on local b/fing cafes, and I'm sure you can get lots of recommendations on the Forum! :-)

xx

[littleEDfamily]

Depends on the temperature of where you've been. If out pushing buggy in freezing cold, it will keep nicely, but if in hot cafes and cars, my gut is anything more than an hour or two max would be dodgy.

[jollybaby]

I found a breast feeding cape really helpful when feeding in public in the early days. If you haven't seen them they're Like an apron but the top seam is made out of a semirigid material so that you can still see/ help the baby to latch on. Much easier than using a muslin or shawl. Mine was black and so quite discreet too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NAVY-Breast-Feeding-Cover-Discrete/dp/9805442896/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1297972420&sr=8-2

[sophiechristophy]

sally81 - just wanted to say all the best with your breastfeeding, it is such a fab thing, only gets better with time. xxx

[Moi23]

I'm not absolutely sure about this, but I think breastmilk can go off rather quickly. If you do want to keep it, make sure its kept cool. Maybe suss out for yourself what it tastes like when its off. I know trying your own milk might seem a bit weird, but trying it yourself beforehand I think is a good safety mechanism. I remember once expressing milk before taking a plane. It was in the fridge for half an hour then I put it in a compartment that should have kept it cold. Less than 2 hours later when i was going through security they asked me to try it and it was most definitely off.

[Moi23]

Oh, and for public breastfeeding, you could try wearing a poncho. Nobody will know there's a baby under there feeding!

[littleEDfamily]

Good luck on the public breastfeeding. You couldn't be in a better place than Dulwich to do it. I am really quite shameless nowadays. In fact if I think about it, it seems quite bizarre that I flop them out anywhere and everywhere. I'm more self conscious about getting a cold back and showing my muffin tops (but no need for that if you have good b/f tops).

You are welcome to try my thrupenny bits breastfeeding pillow. I don't use it anymore, but found it very useful when baby was little (and therefore actually stayed where I put her and didn't thrash about). PM me if you want me to drop it round...