From: bweiss@cs.arizona.edu (Beth Weiss)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Pumping Answers
Date: 17 Aug 92 18:03:42 GMT

I recently requested information about the logistics of pumping milk,
especially for a daycare situation.  Here's a summary of responses.
If you'd like all 1500 lines of responses, please e-mail me, and I'll
send it to you.  (bweiss@cs.arizona.edu)

Storage
-------
   There are at least four methods that people mentioned: disposable
bottles, ziploc-type bags, actual bottles, ice cube trays.

   Disposable bottles
   ------------------
   These can be purchased in most grocery, drug, kid stores.  Playtex
has 4 ounce sizes.  Playtex, evenflo and store brand have 8 oz sizes.
Don't put too much milk in a bag (2-3 oz in a 4 oz bag), since it will
expand when freezing.  Most people close the bags with twistie ties;
some use tape.  Label the bags with the amount in them and the date.

   Misc. points people made:
      Evenflo bags have the amounts on the bags--easier to mark
      Store milk in small amounts to eliminate/limit wasted milk
      Store bags hanging until they're frozen (clip to the side of a
      	       tupperware container)

   There are also bags that can be purchased especially for storing
breastmilk.  The company is called Ameda Egnell.  The number is (800)
323-8750.  These bags are washed and reused.

[from Rhonda Gaines: I just called Ameda Egnell.  They come 20 8oz bag
to a pack for $7.80/pack.  There's a $3 shipping/handling charge
regardless of how much or how little is ordered.  They accept orders
via phone (Visa or Mastercard) or by mail (check or money order).
They'll also send you a price list and a brochure/catalog upon
request.]
   
Bottles
-------
   Buy lots of cheap plastic bottles, and store directly in the
bottles.  To use, just defrost in hot water, and add nipple.

Bags vs. Bottles
----------------
      Bags take less freezer space than bottles
      Bags defrost quicker than bottles
      Don't need to transfer as many times with bottles

Ice cube trays
--------------
   Apparently, each cube holds about an ounce, and the daycare
provider just defrosts as many as are needed.

Nipples
-------
   Just about everyone recommended silicon orthopedic type nipples.
Several people suggested that a trial-and-error period might be
necessary to find which kind of nipple the baby would take.

Transporting the Milk
---------------------
   Some people bough special "milk transport bags".  Some used
insulated bags.  For short distances, it probably doesn't matter.

Using the Milk
--------------
   Bags can easily be defrosted by running them under hot water.  They
thaw quickly.  Some people then transfer the milk to a plastic bottle.
Others use the Playtex nurser system, and just insert the bag into the
nurser.  (Try this with a bag full of water before risking milk)

Warning: don't microwave breastmilk.

Some people prepared the bottles at home, others let the daycare
provider make them.  Some people take all of the dirty bottles/nipples
home and sterilize them, others have the daycare provider do it.

When to Start
-------------
Try and build up a backlog of milk in the freezer.  Give the first
bottle at 3-4 weeks, if you're going back to work at 6 weeks, so you
have time to discover what kind of nipples the baby likes.  

My original article:
>After three weeks, Jordan and I are (kind of) getting the hang of
>nursing.  I can't say it's going great, but we're managing, and it's
>improving.  However, I tried pumping for the first time this morning,
>and I'm full of questions.  (I bought the Nurture III breast pump)
>
>I don't want to start the plastic/glass controversy again.  What I do
>want to know is the logistics of storing breastmilk and then having
>the daycare provider give it to Jordan.  
>
>Is it better to store the milk in bottles, so all she has to do is
>defrost them and put a nipple on them?  Is it better to use plastic
>bags?  If bags, where does one buy them?  If bottles, how big?  If
>bags, how much should one put in a bag?
>
>What kind of bottles/nipples should I buy?  How many will we need?  Do
>most people just leave a collection at the daycare providers and let
>her deal with keeping them clean?  (Obviously, that won't work if I
>store the milk in bottles.)
>
>How long before I go back to work should we give Jordan his first
>bottle?  


--
--Beth Weiss
bweiss@cs.arizona.edu