for moms whose freezer is reaching its limit
Your freezer is full.
You have more options than you think.
Most moms worry about making enough. You have the opposite situation. Before you slow down or let anything expire, here is the full picture of what you can do with it.
first, the practical part
You have more time than you think, and you can make room tonight.
Frozen milk keeps for months, and freezing bags flat then filing them upright roughly doubles your shelf space. Here is what matters most.
CDC breast milk storage guidance
Making space fast: freeze bags flat and stand them on edge to file like index cards, never fill more than the storage bag recommends, and rotate the oldest to the front.
For frozen milk, the CDC says about six months is best for quality and up to 12 months is acceptable. Keeping the oldest milk easy to see makes it easier to decide what to do before that window closes.
your options
When the freezer is full, focus on two next steps.
Your own baby comes first. For milk beyond what your baby needs, these are the two decisions worth making while the milk is still within the recommended storage window.
Donate it to The Milk Bank
Approved donations are screened, pasteurized and tested, then provided to babies in hospitals and at home. There is no minimum donation, and your own baby always comes first. See what happens to donated milk.
Make a plan before it ages out
If you are not ready to donate today, keep the oldest milk easy to see and decide before your stash reaches the end of the recommended freezer window. That keeps your options open instead of letting the calendar make the decision for you.
what donated milk can do
One ounce of donated milk can provide up to three feedings for the tiniest NICU babies.
why decide now
The best time to decide is while your milk still has options.
If donation is the choice you want, your baby comes first, screening is free, and The Milk Bank will help you understand what milk in your freezer is eligible.