I tell working moms that fresh is best.  Fresh, not put in the fridge 
is the best, then fresh cold, 0-48 hours old.  But, obviously, if mom is 
storing milk for emergencies, or pumping, as I did, more than my baby 
needed, then freezing it is the best choice.  It can be used later for 
making baby food or for emergencies, etc.  Mom might get sick and not 
pump for a few days, and need a bit extra.  Of course freezing takes 
away from the nutritional value, but it is better than formula, by far, 
and I'd rather a baby get frozen breastmilk than artifical baby milk. 

The best milk is straight from the breast, direct to baby.  But for 
those moms that work, that's not always possible. And if mom wants to, 
for her own peace of mind, freeze a bit, I'd say that was a fine idea.  
Working moms have enough to stress about without stressing over this.

Joylyn

Wendy Blumfield wrote:

>I am interested in all the mailings about this subject.  From recent studies I understood that it was not advisable to refrigerate breast milk for more than a day or two and certainly not to freeze because this reduces the antioxydents in breast milk.
>This has completely changed my approach to supporting women returning to work. I now encourage them to keep the storage down to a minimum time and use the milk that has only been pumped in the past 48 hours.
>So I was rather surprised to read all the techniques for storing and freezing (ice cube trays etc) discussed in this forum.
>Of course for emergencies it is useful to have a couple of bags sitting in the freezer - it must be better than formula.  
>Wendy Blumfield
>NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor/Tutor Childbirth Educator
>Hon. President, Israel Childbirth Education Centre
>
>  
>

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