I know this is a basic question and know the answer but......
How do you store expressed breast milk in the nursery setting?

Currently we have a freezer only for storage, although a refrigerator/freezer has been "requested"
Recently I discovered our hospital nursery storing expressed colostum/breast milk on the side of the neonates bed via a "cooler bag".....I really thought I was transported to another dimension or such. Apparently this has been going on, despite policy "to freeze if not using immediately"thought was in effect. 

Bottom line the RN's had it in there "for the next feeding". Of course that communication didn't always get passed to next shift nor is there any quality control in place for monitoring temperature, etc. I'm just shocked and then they produced evidence from ABM protocols #8 (which of course is for home use)

I'm meeting with the Nursery Manager and our Director next week (its the weekend).

PLEASE let me know if any of you do use bedside cooler bags for storage. This is one of those moments as an IBCLC for many years, that has left me speechless and seriously wondering if I've an an impact at all....

Thank you
Debi 
Ocala, Florida

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