Building A Freezer Stash for Back to Work
Whether you're pregnant and unsure of what's to come with breastfeeding, or in the throes of postpartum, we all tend to worry about the dreaded: going back to work. Along with the common worries about daycare, being away from our babies, etc— there is also that worry about feedings. What’s the best way to ensure that we will have enough to send with our baby if we are breastfeeding? How will we keep up with pumping? What if I don't keep up with baby's demand? Will I make enough? These questions are legitimate and typically evolve into-- How can I make a freezer stash "just in case"? Maybe you’ve seen the freezers full of breastmilk in your mom groups, or your friend tells you about the freezer full of milk they had for their baby before they returned to work. Rest assured, mama, this isn’t necessary, but let’s dive in a little deeper.
What is a "freezer stash" + how much should I have saved ?
A freezer stash is extra breastmilk collected during maternity leave that moms will freeze to save for their return to work. This way, if they are unable to pump enough milk that day for their baby's next day away from them, they will be able to grab some of the previously stored milk from their freezer.
The amount of milk saved will vary from person to person. It helps to know what baby typically takes in his/her bottle (which, if exclusively nursing, should typically be introduced around 4 weeks). This will help determine how many extra feedings you have stored in the freezer. Typically, baby will need around 1 oz of milk per hour they're away from mom. This does, of course, vary individually.
Is a "freezer stash" necessary?
No. Typically you will pump the exact amount of milk your baby needs when you're away from them, as long as you're pumping when they would normally feed. This would give you enough milk to get baby through the next day.
How can I build a "freezer stash" without causing oversupply or other issues?
First-- have you heard of the haaka? It's wonderful. It is a negative pressure device that almost "suctions" to your breast and catches the letdown of milk on the side you're not nursing baby on during feedings. It’s more than a “milk catcher”, but collects milk from your letdown through gentle suction using negative pressure. This is all milk that would otherwise be wasted in a burp cloth or breast pad, plus a little more. The Haaka is a great way to start storing up milk for bottles and building your "freezer stash". I also have tons of tricks and “how to” use the haaka properly as part of the PDF with my breastfeeding course.
Aside from that: pumping. Finding time to pump between nursing sessions can be difficult and stressful. It's recommended to wait until about 4 weeks postpartum to utilize a pump when exclusively nursing. This is because your milk supply is still regulating to accommodate baby's needs + we do not want to interfere with that.
With that being said, finding a time in you + baby's routine that works best for you to pump is your best option. Milk production is highest in early morning, so some moms like to pump after their first morning nursing session. The more consistent you are about doing this-- milk production will increase at that time, and your freezer stash likely will too. With milk production: it's always about consistency. If throwing in an extra pumping session in the morning doesn't work for you-- then choose something that does! I have multiple example routines and ways to work in that extra pump session or 2 to help build that freezer stash in the breastfeeding course “back to work section” and PDF sample guide.
With this knowledge, it's also important to remember that even a few extra ounces per day, for a few weeks is big reward! Let's just say: you are on maternity leave for 8 weeks. On week 4 you start throwing in a pumping session every morning after your nursing session and get 2 ounces total from that. If you do this every morning for the next 4 weeks (2oz x 7 days x 4 weeks= 56 ounces), that's 56 extra ounces hanging out in your freezer for "just in case" purposes! If your baby takes the 'typical' 4oz bottle (every baby is different!), this is 14 extra feedings! What a nice relief!
Let's say you're only getting 1 oz by throwing in that extra pumping session after the morning feeding. Don't fret! You can work to find another time in the day where you can pump about an hour after a feeding. Maybe your baby likes to sleep a few longer stretches at night? Maybe you know baby takes a good late afternoon nap? Either way, take advantage of this time and throw in a second pumping session for your day if you prefer. Even if it yields another ounce-- that's still 2 extra ounces per day!
Not only will doing this give you extra milk to "stash away", it is also great for a supply boost! Being consistent about these extra pumping sessions signals your body that more milk is being requested (ie: putting in the orders), and it will deliver.
Will pumping after feedings leave no milk in my breast for the next feeding?
Milk is made in a "on demand" basis. Typically, pumping around 30 minutes after the baby's last feeding will still supply a normal next feeding if baby is generally nursing every 3 hours. Remember that emptier breasts = an increase in milk production. Demand = supply.
This is going to be adapted to you & your baby's needs. These are strictly just suggestions on ways to build up a breastmilk "stash" before going back to work. If you have any suggestions that worked well for you, please leave them below so other mamas can read through options!
xx karrie
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