Why I don’t want to build a huge freezer stash of breastmilk

When I first had my baby, social media had me convinced that I needed a big, beautiful freezer stash of breastmilk (BM). My mindset has completed shifted and I’ll explain why.

Producing BM is such a gift and provides the optimal nutrition for baby. It does, however, take a large toll on mom’s body. It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an oz of BM. For a baby that takes 25 oz a day, that’s 500 calories each day! It can be hard for moms to keep up with that increased calorie intake just to provide for baby each day. Additional pumping sessions and extra milk production increase the caloric needs even more.

Babies also receive significant amounts of vitamins and minerals that come from mom’s diet and reserves. Calcium, folate, iron, copper, and zinc are a few vitamins and minerals that are passed to baby from BM. Studies show 4-6% bone loss during the first 6 months of breastfeeding. It is hard work for mom to keep up nutrient stores! The more milk produced, the more calories and nutrients that are depleted from mom.

Of course, you do what feels best for you. As a part-time working mom, I feel comfortable having a day’s worth of BM in the freezer, and replenishing by pumping at work. If I were to pump multiple times a day in addition to breastfeeding to build a huge stash, it would likely end up not being used and expiring. I’d much rather keep those nutrients in my body!

I know there are many reasons that I haven’t discussed why women want or need a freezer stash, but I wanted to talk about the other side of the story in case you have felt the same pressure I have!