Can you save expressed milk if they don't finish the bottle?

Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Thanks,
Me

wrote:
Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Thanks,
Me

Although I don't bottle feed very often, I've had this problem too.
While I have heard both yes, throw it, or no, keep it, the majority of
opinions seem to be that once you've warmed it, leftovers are no good.

We only give our son a bottle once a week or so, when I go out for the
evening and my husband is home with him. I hate to see it wasted too,
so my husband has started warming just half the milk in the bottle and
leaves the rest in the fridge. We let him drink that first half and if
our guy still wants more, he warms up the rest and gives it to him.

KD & G

wrote:

Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Here's some research on the subject:
http://web.archive.org/web/199902240...om.com/~rbruss
/family/thesis.html

and Kellymom's (referenced) take:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/reusing-expressedmilk.html

Lara

Hi --

Both of our kids survived on EBM while I was at work. We decided that
it was okay in the fridge if the bottle was finished within 24 hours.
Our kids both stayed healthy, so I guess that's two data points in favor
of using it instead of tossing it?

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

Both of our kids survived on EBM while I was at work. We decided that
it was okay in the fridge if the bottle was finished within 24 hours.
Our kids both stayed healthy, so I guess that's two data points in favor
of using it instead of tossing it?

I think I'd rather take a slight risk with the breastmilk being less than
perfect than shortage of ebm being the reason for introducing formula,
afterall formula isn't risk free.

However, I would start by making every effort to not waste the ebm, so
instead of offering bottles of the max size taken, offer bottles close to
the minimum size taken with 30-40ml top ups available.

Cheers

Anne

I am sure you know this, but just in case... Don't reuse the milk if
it's been previously frozen. Once thawed, it should be consumed in 24
hrs.
wrote:
Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Thanks,
Me

wrote:

Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

We always put it back in the fridge and kept
using within 24 hours. However, we did try
to gauge the amount that baby would consume.
In your case, try putting 60 ml in a bottle
at a time. And, if after 2 bottles of 60 ml,
baby still wants more, make another bottle
with just 20-30 ml in it.

-- Anita --

wrote:

Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Assuming it's fresh and you have a healthy baby, yes.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/reusing-expressedmilk.html

http://web.archive.org/web/199902240...om.com/~rbruss
/family/thesis.html

Lara

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hello,
My baby tends to eat between 80 ml and 130 ml. The problem is that
when she eats less there is milk left in the bottle. So far we've been
throwing everything out that she doesn't finish. Since it's breast
milk I hate to waste it. Can you put any leftover milk in the bottle
back in the refrigerator and save it for the next feeding?

Thanks,
Me

The odd time that we warm up bottles of EBM for DD2, I do tend to put it
back in the fridge if it's not all gone at that one feeding.
I tend to ensure it's gone within 24 hours or I dump it. I also hate to
waste, and so far, DD2 is completely healthy!