Freezer issues... keep or dump the breastmilk?

[wolverine2]

I have just started pumping to store up for going back to work, and had 4-5 bags frozen in our freezer. It completely stopped working yesterday, and I didn't find it till everything was pretty much thawed. I did stick the bags in our deep freezer, so it's frozen again, but should I dump it since it was thawed and then re-frozen?

Thanks,

[sgr]

My vote is yes. I know that once breastmilk is thawed, it must be used within 24 hours. It should NEVER be re-frozen once it's thawed! I called in to a Hospital's Baby Line to get that question answered when I first started pumping as well.

[vludmilla]

You are supposed to dump it. I will say that some of the rules are overly strict...with the idea being that we tend to go beyond the rules so if they are conservative, then there will be fewer problems when people inevitably, "break" the rules. So, if that very unfortunate thing ever happens to you again, I would try to use that BM right away.

[DrSally]

Originally Posted by sgr

My vote is yes. I know that once breastmilk is thawed, it must be used within 24 hours. It should NEVER be re-frozen once it's thawed! I called in to a Hospital's Baby Line to get that question answered when I first started pumping as well.

ditto, sorry!

[wolverine2]

Bummer. At least I had just started pumping. I'd be so depressed if I had several weeks worth in there!

[R2sweetboys]

O.K., totally not answering your question, but did you get your freezer working yet? I have a couple of tips if not b/c our freezer stopped working a few weeks ago. Thankfully DH was able to fix it but while we waited for the part, we were able to defrost(sent frozen goods to my sisters for a day)it and got it working again until we got the part. Apparently, this break/repair is very common for freezers. Did your freezer frost up in the back? Anyway, hopefully you're already up and running but I can help you trouble-shoot if you need it. (we did lots of research to figure out our problem) Sorry about losing your stash-I know how hard it is to pump and build up a supply. Take care,

[wolverine2]

Actually, our whole fridge stopped working. We never found out why because our neighbors had a similar one they weren't using that we bought for just a tiny bit more than what it would cost a repair person to come out and look at our broken one. Thankfully our basement seems to be a fridge graveyard, as we also had an old one that we hooked up for 2 days while we were waiting for the neighbors.