Could this working mother use a microwave oven, usually available in an
office setting, to heat the milk?  Microwaves shouldn't be used to warm
up milk for a feeding, because the uneven heating could lead to
hot-spots that could burn the baby.  But in this case the milk would be
re-cooled for storage anyway.  Does anyone know if the microwave would
affect the milk more than heating it to scalding by other means?  (Of
course, if the the alternative is discarding the milk, it's a moot
point.)

And yes, heating the milk to scalding will alter the milk to some
extent, and kill the live cells.  But you can still point out that her
own treated milk still retains many advantages over formula.  After all,
doner milk in milk banks, which is so highly prized, has been through a
prolonged heat-treatment.  Perhaps some of the information on milk
banking, in Chapter 24 in Riordan and Auerbach, might make her feel a
bit better about having to treat the milk, and what it still has to
offer.

This difficulty might also encourage her to try to manage more of the
baby's feedings at the breast -- feeding freely during the weekends,
evenings and nights, maybe arriving at the daycare site a little early
to get in one last feeding before she goes, or coming over during lunch
if at all convenient.   That way she could feel that a greater
proportion of the baby's intake would be fresh.  Remember also that in a
few months the baby will be taking some solids during the workday, which
will also reduce the amount that the mother will need to store.

Margaret Sabo Wills, LLLL, IBCLC

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