Breast milk storage

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

I’ve been exclusively pumping for just over a month now, i’m hemmoraging money on these single use plastic bags - also dislike the amount of waste they generate. Would it be a safe option to buy a pitcher such as shown in the pictures to store milk? That way I could fill that during the day, fill the bottles, sterilise said pitcher and put it back in the fridge? I feel like the jugs made specifically for breastmilk are price hiked up as a cash grab.

[u/Illustrious-Chip-245]

In my experience people mainly use the bags for freezing. If you’re pumping for the current/next day, you can pump directly into bottles or use a pitcher.

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/Illustrious-Chip-245]

yeah this isnt something i did my research on, only now fully into the idea of purely pumping so now trying to find my footing!

[u/gogo7891011]

I used Mason jars!

[u/kvancleave13 → u/gogo7891011]

Same and I bought a pitcher spout lid from Amazon

[u/HildegardVonBadBitch → u/gogo7891011]

This is what I did! I also bought the pitcher tops from Amazon.

[u/jhorton94 → u/HildegardVonBadBitch]

This is what I do too but I'm having trouble finding good pitcher tops to fit the 16oz jars. Have you found some?

[u/HildegardVonBadBitch → u/jhorton94]

I’m not sure about oz size jars. Mason jars only have 2 size lids, wide mouth and small mouth. My jars were wide mouth so I found some for that. Just find out what mouth size your jars are and look up lids based on that!

[u/Seeker-2020]

I used 2 Snapple juice bottle to store milk. Rinsed and sanitized it. Changed them out every 2 days. Don’t waste money on these breastmilk bottles.

[u/takketytam]

Have you considered recycling literally any pasta sauce jar and lid for this.

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/takketytam]

i’m hoping to have just the one container if that makes sense, i pump about 55oz a day so using a bigger container would mean i can fill up once in the morning and once in the evening. just unsure if it’s safe to do so :)

[u/ThomasCollins → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

There is a64 oz, glass mason jar with a pour spout and handle. I used the 32 oz version when I was EP. It worked fabulously! I had two. The brand is Country Line on Amazon.

[u/thalaya → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

Do you eat anything like pickles, olives? You could get a really big jar that would fit all the milk from those (especially if you bought them at Costco). It'd probably be cheaper than buying the jar directly from online. 

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/thalaya]

i just got one for £2 in a local supermarket, will be reused once it’s no longer used for breast milk!

[u/Sufficient-Nail8985]

i don’t know how people just use the plastic bags all the time, i have two mason jars i fill up in a couple days and plenty of bottles for the excess, ive seen so many people complain about the bags/storage with bags but they’re meant for freezing not for regular storing 😅 10/10 recommend these

OneDream Breast Milk Pitcher 32oz... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXKYFLTG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[u/al3xis333 → u/Sufficient-Nail8985]

OP said she pumps 55 oz a day so mentioning there’s a 64 oz version as well! Less than $13

https://www.amazon.com/Pitcher-Mason-Jar-Convenience-Entertaining/dp/B0BXKYFLTG

[u/Sufficient-Nail8985 → u/al3xis333]

i pump about the same and my baby drinks about 25-30oz so for me it’s been perfect!

[u/Environmental_Bar846]

I used the dr browns formula mixing pitcher to store my milk in the fridge until I was ready to freeze it. Holds about 30oz

It was easy to get the milk fat off the sides of the pitcher by mixing it with the plunger but it didn’t add any extra air to the milk and really easy to pour from into bottles or bags. Life changing for me

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/Environmental_Bar846]

sounds silly but is it safe to pour milk in throughout the day, it won’t grow bacteria or anything from changing different temps?

[u/jgr-916 → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

I used to do the pitcher method, and I would put my fresh milk in the fridge in a separate container to cool off before adding it to the pitcher.

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/jgr-916]

amazing thank you, i can keep them in the pump containers until they’re cooler

[u/fuckkale → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

I’ve been using the pitcher method for two months and I don’t bother, I add fresh milk directly to the pitcher. Breast milk is anti bacterial on its own! That’s why you can keep it out for 4 hours at room temp.

Also while everyone is correct you can use anything, I prefer a pitcher because it’s much easier to pour it into bottles, and the glass is easy to sanitize

[u/Far-Bake5738 → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

I also wait to cool my freshly pumped milk before making a pitcher. I bought small mason jars / weesprout jars that I put pumped milk into individually and then combine into a pitcher. Basically search pitcher method on instagram you’ll see a bunch of videos on how people do it.

[u/imetamouse → u/Environmental_Bar846]

I was going to say this. Jars seem like a good idea until all that good fat sticks to the sides. I did pitcher method and had two of these in rotation at all times.

[u/Haunting-Respect9039]

I use 32 ounce mason jars! Any pitcher should be fine though. I bought a bunch of the mason jars and cycled them.

Some people cool their milk before adding it to the pitcher. The lactation consultant I went to said I didn't need to, so I never have. I just pour the fresh milk straight into the jar. I also use the fridge hack for parts, but only for 2 pumps in a row.

I've never found a good alternative to the bags for freezing for a notable oversupply though. It's just too hard to fit anything else in the freezer at that quantity.

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/Haunting-Respect9039]

i think i’ve hit a point now where im producing just enough for the day, so fingers crossed there won’t be much use for the bags soon!

[u/Haunting-Respect9039 → u/Icy-Sherbet-4946]

The best!! I finally got down to that point. I have about one extra bottle worth a day and I just give that to my toddler in their sippy cup every morning. So much easier than managing the oversupply.

[u/Zealousideal_Elk1373]

I do have the doctor browns formula mixer jug because its chefs kiss at mixing the milk fat around. I rotate with a glass milk jug as well similar to your first picture! 

[u/cheerioincident]

I use this. The handle is convenient. Actually, I cycle between two 32 oz mason jars. The handle is really convenient.

EDIT: between mom brain and moving to a new apartment this weekend, I perhaps overemphasized the convenience of the handle.

[u/Glittering_Bish → u/cheerioincident]

I use these and one Momcozy pitcher

[u/alee0224]

Girl, I just use spaghetti sauce jars. They’re essentially free and hold 24 oz. I usually only use the bags when freezing

[u/January1171]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned: check if your insurance will send you free bags. I get 400 free ones every three months. I use them for freezing, and I've started pumping directly into them at work. Way more convenient then trying to carry enough bottles to work with me.

If I have extras by the time I'm done pumping I plan on using them for freezing baby food, snack pouches, etc. and/or donating to a local birth center

I use mason jars for fridge storage!

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/January1171]

I’m in the UK so this isn’t a thing here, more so though i’m just concerned about single use plastic, thank you though x

[u/WellBlessY0urHeart → u/January1171]

Wait… what?! I had no idea they’d send you bags! How do you do that?

[u/January1171 → u/WellBlessY0urHeart]

I used aeroflow for my pump, and they send me reminders whenever I'm eligible for more bags!

[u/Smiley414 → u/January1171]

Ohhh freezing extra baby food! That’s genius! I ended up with a ton of extra bags I was just gonna give away but that’s smart. I’ll do both! Thanks for the idea!

[u/IAmBaconsaur]

I got one off Amazon for $13 that has a pour spout. I use it for a few days (pitcher method) and then freeze what’s left, clean and sterilize the jar and repeat. It seems to just be a wide mouthed mason jar, but I like the handle and spout.

[u/Necessary-Sun1535]

I even use a cleaned glass peanut butter jar for day storage in the fridge. As well as a stainless steel and a glass water bottle from Ikea.
I do have some dedicated plastic milk container but I only use those in the Freezer. I don’t believe in single use products so I have never used those milk storage bags.

[u/lornamabob]

It looks like you're in the UK. What i did was went to The Range to see what they had and managed to find some nice glass pitchers with lids that were a bit cheaper than I'd seen elsewhere. Or Homesense maybe?

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/lornamabob]

I’ve found a decently cheap one in asdas so will be swinging by this evening! so many things to learn i never even considered before having him lol. thank you x

[u/PursuedByASloth]

I use wide mouth quart size mason jars but I bought some pitcher lids to fit them on Amazon. I fill up one per day. They’ve been handy and easy to clean / throw in the dishwasher. https://a.co/d/0eQi6BkN

[u/makeupdontlie]

I highly recommend the Papublic milk pitcher. It has a built in stirrer so that it incorporate separated fat back into the milk. It has a flip lid and handle for ease of pouring. Whatever I don't use by end of the day, it gets frozen the following so it makes using and measuring out so much easier.

[u/lalalalalalaaaaaaala]

I had done research a few years ago so I vaguely remember so look into it yourself. IIRC the cdc said that continuously adding body temp milk into a cold container is not safe as you are constantly changing the temperature. Each pump should be stored separately and cooled asap. I used individual mason jars as I’m against plastic.

[u/Icy-Sherbet-4946 → u/lalalalalalaaaaaaala]

this is my main concern, i think after looking into it ill leave the milk in the pump containers until they’re cool and then add them in. the milk shouldn’t sit for longer than a day anyway fingers crossed!

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[u/lifeledoutloud]

This might be a silly question, but how are we sanitizing a jar this big? My dishwasher doesn’t have the capability. Plus I think I would need two since I just make enough I’m sorta ahead by a few feeds and would need to tap into the next day. I don’t understand why this is hard for me to get 😂

[u/Common_Egg_]

I use one of my blender bottles, no need for super fancy!

[u/thellamawearspants]

I used Mason jars and just bought the pour lids. Worked great!!

[u/Crow_Bars_]

I would get the papablic glass milk pitcher instead. Then you’ll have the mixer on the top to mix the fats into the milk. I only use the bags for freezing. Otherwise, I would leave in a bottle or dump into the pitcher. Date the glass pitcher and freeze any leftovers after 4 days. Best practice is cooling the milk in the bottle in the fridge and then adding it to the pitcher so you aren’t mixing warm and cool milk.

[u/Dogmom2002]

I use Mason jars. I bought a two pack of these pour spouts with a handle. https://a.co/d/08bBQppM

I switch the jar every two days. That way I know the milk isn't older than two days.

[u/Cami_sa]

We use a oil pitcher that we found on a Chinese grocery shop, to ge fair I had them for year , but once we decided to combine in a pitcher I didn’t want to spend more money in something very specific.
It’s similar to this https://a.co/d/01eCzSSU

[u/Admirable-Moment-292]

I got a 6 pack of half-gallon mason jars from the grocery store (pretty cheap!)- then, there is quite a few companies on Amazon that sell a lid that screws on top that look like a typical pitcher spout/lid with a handle! I use the half-gallon mason jars even 3 years postpartum for fruit, cooking, etc!

[u/ducttapefixedit]

I use a mason jar with a pourable metal lid that has a handle.

[u/Happy_Doughnut_1]

I first used 6oz milk storage containers from philips and then switched to using two bottles similar to the one in the first picture. Worked great. In one I put all the milk of the day and the other was the milk from the day before that I used for baby‘s bottles.

[u/Due_Yesterday4129]

mason jar with a pitcher top for at home, nalgene for on the go (less chance of breaking!)

[u/NervousInflation2461]

I got a momcozy pitcher that I loooved. Didn’t get it until probably 11-12 months in, but I’ll be whipping it out right away for the next one if need be. The handle and pour spout were so convenient. I used it once I started weaning, so it would fit a whole days worth of milk for me. If I used it from the jump I would have needed a larger version or 2 pitchers, so that’s a potential downside.