I use the Medela Pump & Save bags. Am I supposed to squeeze the remaining air out of the bag before sealing the ziplock? I would think so, but then I am afraid that the frozen milk will expand and have no where to go and will rip the bag.
any opinions?
Yes. Air is the enemy (and heat and light) for any frozen food. You want to take out as much air as possible. The only way the bag will rip is if you overfill it. Just don't fill past the line on the bag, near the top (zipper).
I always squeezed it out and never had problems with the milk expanding. those bags are pretty thick. My biggest problem was storing them in such a way that they didn't all fall out and hit my toe when I opened the freezer door :-)
I always squeezed the air out of my bags. I'm not sure why, but I did. I never had any problems with my bags breaking either.
I ALWAYS squeeze the extra air out and have never had any issues with ripping! :)
Yes, squeeze the air out and freeze them laying flat. I got a small plastic storage container and after they were frozen I would stand them up and sort by date. You can fit a lot more if you freeze them flat and they thaw out faster.
Yes, squeeze the air out so that the milk stays fresher.
Frozen fluids contract, not expand...and since we squeeze the air out of other frozen foods, I assume that's the right thing to do!
I always squeezed mine and never had any problems.
I have always squeezed out the extra air no problems.
you need some space for the milk to expand once frozen. So squeeze some excess but not quite all. If there's not enough when you thaw it the bag will split - and I have cried over that! I used Lansinoh, Gerber and 1 other brand (maybe Medela) and they all did that if I wasn't careful. ..I saved a small newborn diaper box and layed the bags flat in it. ...after a few months of pumping with my second I learned to use the milk I pumped for the next day and then freeze Fridays for Monday. Some babies prefer the fresher milk. and it's good in the fridge for a few days
other mommies have it right - take most of the air out, but not all. Lay flat and freeze. It will be fine.
That dent they have on the side of the gallon milk bottles... Have you ever frozen one? That dent becomes a hump (sticks out). It is to allow for milk expansion, because you cannot lay the bottle flat... )The weight of the liquid presses down I guess and could cause it to leak?) That's my theory and I am sticking to it
squeeze it all out. The fill line is not at the top to leave room for the expanding. I used to partially close my bags, then find a corner. Hang the portion of the bag that is full over the edge of the counter. Then lay the top (empty portion) flat on the counter. All the air will go out then finish sealing the bag shut. My bags never exploded this way - not once.
That's why the fill line isn't all the way to the top of the bag - it allows for expansion. Definitely squeeze out the air because air is a contributor to early freezer burn.
Just wanted to add my lactation consultant said that u can't get freezer burn from leaving the air in. She said u can freeze milk in certain bottles which makes sense since Popsicles have an air pocket. She said the only reason people squeeze the air out is to increase storage space.
You should squeeze out the air. i never had a problem with bags exploding or anything. Also, I kept a small basket in the freezer to put the bags in so they did not fall out. if they do fall out, defrost it in a bowl because the bag can get a small hole. it is still good but just will make a mess (lesson learned).
I'm a squeezer. It keeps the milk from freezer burn. Squeeze the air out and, like Momof1 said, lay them flat to freeze, then stand them up in a little box/container. You will save so much room that way and yes, this also helps them thaw faster.
Squeeze away and lay flat. After all my years of nursing I've had ONE bag ever break and all have been squeezed air free although, I prefer the lanisoh bags to medela because they double zip. More protection.
