Best Way to Store BREASTMILK in FREEZER WITHOUT PLASTIC

[@Fluffyclothaddicted]

Where I love this idea, as someone who maybe an over supplier space for freezing a thousand jars might not be ideal.

[@acee4948]

Only 1,2, and 5 is truly recycled. 4 is not recyclable.

[@Niskyspy]

I’ve been using these with plastic lids sold by the Ball company to freeze and it’s so nice that I don’t have to freeze in plastic (plastic lid doesn’t touch the milk anyway and is reusable and doesn’t rust). Someone on Reddit was concerned about freezer burn since there is air space above the milk but I haven’t had issues with that at all. I use the 4 oz jars and out 3 oz in them but could probably fit 3.5 ounces.

[@DoctorNicole]

Thanks for all your insight as a user! I never had any trouble with freezer burn either.

[@1027vvergara]

How long would u have milk in freezer?

[@dianaajala298]

Could you please show everything involved with storing the breast milk in the freezer in the mason jars? I’ve heard several things from not adding room temp to already frozen or refrigerated milk, do you thaw in fridge and not hot water if a baby doesn’t drink the whole 8oz etc. I’m a new mom to be and have always prepared glass, like you said I don’t even use plastic myself so I want to know how to best store the milk. I wasn’t sure if I would be forced to resort to the plastic bags

[@DoctorNicole]

I love these questions! I won't be able to get to a video like this for a while (But it's a great idea!) so I wanted to share as much as I could in this comment. My process was to pump the milk and pour directly from pumping bottle into Mason Jars and keep in fridge or cold cooler. I would either feed my sons the milk or freeze within 4 days of pumping the milk. I have definitely added freshly expressed milk to already cold milk in the fridge, but never added it to already frozen milk. I thawed both overnight in the fridge or in hot water depending on how prepared I was. According to the CDC milk can remain in the fridge for 1-2 days after being frozen (after that it should be dumped). They also recommend dumping all milk after it's been heated up. So if your baby does not drink the milk within 1-2 hours of being heated up-it should also be dumped. ( I was really strict about this with my first, but took more risks with my 2nd and he was never sick-but definitely not what the CDC recommends.) This worked awesome for my family and I highly recommend it! Let me know if you have additional questions and I hope you have lots of enjoyable moments with your new baby! Here's a link to CDC recommendations: www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

[@runningwithjane]

Super helpful, Nicole! Love the environmentally-friendly option!

[@DoctorNicole]

Thank you! This had saved us so much money and a lot of waste! Plus as a bonus they’re so cute!

[@runningwithjane]

Super helpful, Nicole! Love the environmentally-friendly option for baby bottles/sippy cups/cups!

[@DoctorNicole]

Thank you! Credit to my husband for coming up with this unique and amazing way to save money and the environment during my breastfeeding and pumping years!

[@rubiamancia6691]

is there a specific lid that needs to go on these for proper freezing ? i have a alot of pb and j jars with their original lids can i use these?

[@joannyjackson9358]

Love it so much! I was considering mason jar for baby bottles and theres really not that many videos about it on youtube. I'm so glad I found this video!

[@DoctorNicole]

I’m so glad you found it too!! We’ve definitely loved our experience with them! Getting ready for a 3rd and the only thing we’ll have to buy this time around are a couple fresh nipples (they get a little sticky and some split on the top where the milk comes out). I hope you enjoy them too if you go this route!

[@leandraainlove]

Don't the jars break in the freezer? I have tried to freeze sauces and liquids in jars and the jars shatter a lot??

[@tayloralexb]

From my research they have to be the straight jars. If they curve in at the top they will break in the freezer.

[@leandraainlove]

@tayloralexb Super helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@jenniferj764]

do you pump into the mason jars? if so how?

[@Fortress7]

This needs more views this is awesome

[@DoctorNicole]

You are so very sweet! Thank you for watching and taking the extra time to comment!

[@Person314abc]

How do you heat the breast milk when it’s frozen in the mason jar?

[@Barbee-LiveNow]

Slowly

[@Barbee-LiveNow]

We use advent bottle warmer defrost setting for glass bottles.

[@Angie-Who]

What size is the mason jar you're holding? I'm tempted to buy just the bigger ones then getting the smaller ones and them becoming useless once baby drinks more

[@DoctorNicole]

I'm holding an 8oz jar. I only used the 4oz for the first couple months and then went to the 8oz for the exact reason you stated. Baby drinks more quite quickly!

[@tobymarley1]

I feel so bad. I have about 3 years worth of brestmilk bags in the landfill. I'm definitely going to do better this go around

[@DoctorNicole]

Live and learn-it’s awesome that you’re willing to change the way you’re doing things this time around!

[@kaileegatewood8506]

Wait milk needs to be thrown out after heating? It can’t go back into the fridge for later that day?

[@DoctorNicole]

CDC recommends drinking within 1-2 hours of being heated up. I admit I was strict on this with my first and not so strict with my second ( so hard to dump my hard earned milk). He never got sick, but I'm sure it could've happened. Here's the CDC's official recommendations, but of course we all have to use our best mommy judgement. www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm

[@yamiletgonzalez9119]

@@DoctorNicole o

[@marycruzgarciavaldez1965]

Nope

[@fleetingtym1961]

I have been reading that there is BPA in the rubber part of the metal lids that are made for single use and to seal for long term storage

[@Laurelise]

I love this idea. Are the nipples venting? I heard moms can use comotomo venting nipples on a mason jar with a regular 3" mouth, but some of the jars have mouths that are just under 3". If anyone has used a venting nipple on a mason jar (with the sleeve, etc included) please share!

[@niamh2739]

my sister wont even try because my nephew is in the throwing bottles phase

[@ChannelMakers]

Gooo Nicole!

[@DoctorNicole]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sunnymeadow575]

I apologize if I missed this point, but do you just pump using the pump machine parts then use the glass jars for storing and drinking out of? Ex, the containers and changeable parts that come with the pump.

[@DoctorNicole]

You’re right, I didn’t mention that in the video, but yes, you use the plastic pump parts (including collection bottles) that come with your favorite breast pump and then pour it into the glass jars for storage and feeding to your baby. I hope that is helpful!

[@sunnymeadow575]

@@DoctorNicole Thank you so much for the reply. Makes total sense. I wasn't sure if the jars fit a particular pump. Thanks again!

[@amandan943]

Nanobebe makes a part you can use with a spectra pump and mason jars.

[@uglypetty8794]

Mason Jar Lifstyle offers longer lasting, dishwasher-safe stainless steel rings, and silicone sealing lids on their website and on Amazon. We're adopting and going to formula feed, but plan to pre-mix formula a day at a time in 32 oz mason jars and will use the stainless rings and silicone sealing rings to minimize plastic.

[@DoctorNicole]

That seems like a great option to avoid the rusting that can occur with the steel rings. Thanks so much for sharing your story and additional information for other watching!

[@liliyasgardenchannel8876]

How about using clean glass food jars that had baby food in them?

[@DoctorNicole]

I would think this could work as well! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Love it

[@Niskyspy]

Do you know if it stores as long in the freezer as in bags since there has to be air space on top? When mine is over a month old in mason jar it often times has an off smell but I discovered it is just high lipase milk and my son doesn’t mind drinking it and his tummy seems fine. However when I opened a milk plastic bag from 4/27 just a the other day it didn’t have that same smell. It could be coincidence with whatever I had eaten that day but just wondering if you’ve heard anything about this.

[@DoctorNicole]

I’ve honestly never had a problem keeping it for up to 6 months in the freezer, but I can’t say I’ve ever paid too much attention to the smell in comparison with storing in plastic…great questions tho!

[@HeyItsKayJayBae]

Not only cheaper, but healthier!

[@vanessalorenzo2880]

But how do you thaw and then warm it without temperature shocking the glass??

[@DoctorNicole]

I always tried to leave in fridge overnight the day before I needed to use it or set on counter if I forgot and need day of. I usually thawed in warm water and never personally had a problem and the babysitters never reported any problems either. I hope that’s helpful

[@Kristin_C]

Great video! How do you sanitize them? Is the dishwasher enough? First time mom due in a few weeks. Thanks for your help!

[@DoctorNicole]

I always just put them in the dishwasher and called it good. I know there are machines specifically for sanitizing bottles and such that I'm sure you could use as well if you want to be extra careful. Blessings on your birth and recovery!

[@Kristin_C]

@@DoctorNicole thanks so much!

[@POSTIVETENSION]

Is it dumb that I thought glass cracked in the freezer ?

[@DoctorNicole]

That’s a valid worry, but no it will not crack unless it goes from frozen to very hot temperatures very quickly. I hope that’s helpful!

[@dianeibsen5994]

Thank you so much for the video. Thank you for being a sweet heart and conscious mama💗🙏🏼💗 I don't have children, but I was looking for solutions to cover the mason jars you call them cuzzies..the blue things that go on the outside. Apology I just looked at your drop down menu it says silicone sleeve. thank you! Also to keep them leak-proof from when I put them in my purse falling over. Thank goodness for silicone!

[@DoctorNicole]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@dianeibsen5994]

Thank you for your reply. You know is there a leak-proof lids. If it falls over in your purse so it won't leak water the plain white plastic Lids do not work! they leak every time😔

[@DoctorNicole]

@@dianeibsen5994 I’m not sure about that-I’ve only ever used them with bottle nipples or at the table like glasses. Let us know if you find something tho!

[@nieshaw47]

Bpa free?

[@DoctorNicole]

Are you wondering if the glass jars are bpa free? If so, yes they are, which was a huge perk for me when choosing to use them! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@22Harponyo]

Excellent video!

[@DoctorNicole]

Thank you for watching and your kind words!

[@lizpleszkoch403]

This is the first time I’m hearing about this! Thank you so much for making a video about it!

[@aleanapt]

Hi! Thank you so much for this video!! It is so hard to find videos of mom routines of storing/freezing breastmilk in mason jars so i truly appreciate it!! I just had another question, I know this may sound odd but how exactly do you freeze the milk in the jar? I was watching a mason jar video of other liquids and they said it expands so you have to have the lid off before freezing? Not sure if it is true so I wanted to ask you :) thank you so much!!

[@DoctorNicole]

Thanks for this super nice comment!💜I never filled the jars to the very top but fairly close at times and never had any trouble just screwing the lid on and putting it right in the freezer. No explosions except for when they were dropped and after 2 kids it’s only happened twice and the milk was froze and the air was warm. I hope that’s helpful!