I think we need to be very careful when it regards limitations on folks
freezing their breast milk. Long-term frozen breast milk is better than
formula. What you have here is a case of damning with faint praise. If
fresh milk is best, refrigerated second best, frozen third best, another
mother's fourth best and lastly formula - then let's say it that way.
Trying to get crazy on specifics is extremely frustrating. What is the
actual research on in vivo results of giving frozen breast milk? Does
it really matter in the long run? New research on giving anti-oxidant
supplements says that they don't really work - so why do we stress over
this when it comes to breast milk? I don't want to question motives of
researchers BUT ----. We definitely need the best possible storage for
preemie babies who are getting perhaps all stored milk, but IMHO this
controversy just gives credence to the formula industry - hey they have
a quality- controlled product - just use that! (Tongue firmly in
cheek!) A working mom is hopefully breastfeeding her baby at least 50%
of the time. I think it's important to make breastfeeding as natural
and easy as possible - even for the mom who has to work fulltime (as I
had to from 5 weeks onward and still nursed 3.5 years!)
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wendy Blumfield
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: Breast milk storage
I think Lisa that the source of the conflicting opinions and research
studies lies in the chronology. In accordance with earlier studies we
always advised clients that they could refrigerate their milk for up to
three days in a good fridge and that although technically milk could be
frozen for a month we would not recommend this because the milk changes
according to the age and development of the baby and the milk pumped
today
will not suit the baby in another month. We nevertheless continued to
recommending freezing for a week or two.
Now the latest studies as you quote show that antioxidants are reduced
with
prolonged refrigeration and freezing.
Since most of my clients return to work or full-time study three months
after the birth, I now advise them to avoid freezing the milk but to try
and
keep the pumping two or three days ahead of themselves. In other words
to
pump at work and if this is not enough for the next day, pump again
after
breastfeeding at home (the small quantities that may be surplus when the
baby has had enough) And if they have the weekend off work, to pump
extra
at that time.
However, this does all add to the complicated logistics of maintaining a
milk supply, pumping and storing apropos the extra stress and pressure
when
the mother returns to work. So while informing of this antioxidants
issue,
I nevertheless reassure them that the occasional portion of frozen milk
which has been lurking in the freezer for two or three weeks is still
better
than formula.
But what I think we have to do as counsellors is to discourage the
long-term
freezing as a routine and in the light of these studies I am surprised
that
recommendations for freezing emerge so often in these postings.
Wendy Blumfield
Tutor ANT/BFC NCT
President Israel Childbirth Education Centre
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Erickstad" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:59 PM
Subject: Breast milk storage
> Hello,
> My name is Lisa Erickstad and I am a junior nursing student at the
> University
> of North Dakota. I have done some research on the storage of breast
milk
> once it is out of the breast. I decided to research this area due to
the
> fact
> that many resources give varying information. In one study by Hanna
> (2004),
> found that freezing of human milk resulted in a greater decrease in
> antioxidant
> activity than refrigeration. Storage of the milk for seven days
resulted
> in lower
> antioxidant activity than storing the milk for 48 hours. The study
states
> in it's
> discussion that milk should only be stored for a short time at
> refrigerator
> temperature and not frozen.
> Another article from Lawrence (1999), states that milk can be
refrigerated
> for
> up to 72 hours with little change. It states that freezing the milk
> destroys the
> cellular activity and reduces vitamin B6 and C in the milk. Bacterial
> growth was
> said to decrease over 24 hours when the milk had been refrigerated,
but
> this
> doesn't happen when the milk is frozen. The storage of milk at room
> temperature for eight hours appears to be safe with little loss of
> nutrient or
> protective value.
> An article by Tully (2000), states that there has been recent research
to
> confirm that storing milk at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit)
for
> 4
> hours does not increase bacterial growth. At warmer temperatures (100
> degrees Fahrenheit) microbial proliferation began quicker. Mothers
should
> chill
> the milk as soon as possible after pumping and this helps to reduce
the
> loss of
> some vitamins, cellular components, and other properties of the milk
that
> is
> valuable to the infant. If the milk needs to be stored beyond 24
hours, it
> is
> recommended that the milk be frozen. It is also suggested that
> refrigeration
> (at 32-39 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 8 days has greater inhibitory
> effect
> on bacterial growth in the milk than if you were to freeze it.
Obviously
> the
> fresher the milk is when it is fed to the infant the better it is for
the
> infant.
> My question is that there are various researches on how to store milk,
and
> most of it is conflicting. I would like to see what you think about
this
> and
> what your hospital or clinic protocols are for storing breast milk.
>
> References
> Hanna, N., Ahmed, K., Anwar, M, Petrova, A., Hiatt, M. & Hegyi.
(2004).
> Effect of storage on breast milk antioxidant activity. Arch. Dis.
Child.
> Fetal
> Neonatal Ed. 89;518-520.
> Lawrence, R.A. (1999). Storage of human milk and the influence of
> procedures
> on immunological components of human milk. Acta Paediatr Suppl., 88
(430),
> 14-18.
> Tully, M. R. (2000). Recommendations for handling of mother's own
milk.
> Journal of Human Lactation, 16, 149.
>
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