MilkBank - Breastmilk storage 2.0

I've been fortunate to only have to pump out of desperation and discomfort. My two daughters refused to take bottles, and thanks to a strained relationship (and life with living with my in-laws), I never really had to leave my bottle-taking son.

I've used a bottle maybe five times.

But my oldest would take milk from a sippy cup and we did use a bottle infrequently with Drew, and so, I'd dutifully pack milk in the fridge, watch it separate, and then toss it because it just didn't seem right, even after a day or two. Then I'd have to freeze it in the bags and leave my poor husband to try to defrost it in a cup of warm water as my kids screamed bloody murder.

Always makes for a successful mealtime.  Eep.

And quite frankly, I always felt like there had to be a better way.

And I was right! Well, I can't take the credit. Enter MilkBank, the new wave in breastmilk storage and bottles.

There's way too much for me to say about this system, other than "you need this now," but I'll try to hit the high points:

• Vacuum storage rocks because it keeps the milk fresh. Awesome.
• Everything is BPA, pthalate, and PVC free (phew!)
• The bottles are INSULATED, so they help keep the milk warm as you feed it (helloooo genius!).
• The storage hooks to the insulated bottles, which is also genius.
• Said bottles do not leak. AT ALL.
• And if you don't breastfeed, the vented bottles rock (and don't leak either) - of course, I don't know this from first hand experience, but a few of my other colleagues say it's true so I believe them.

Whether you exclusively pump or you just pump for emergencies (etc), you need this system. Add it to your registry. Tell your friends. It's absolutely a must-have.

And if you just need a good bottle, then get these. You can snag them at your local Babies R' Us!

GIVEAWAY! I'm giving a system away to a lucky reader. Just leave me a comment with your favorite breastfeeding accessory (like what you can't live without). If you don't breastfeed, tell me about the bottles you use. I'll pick ONE winner at random (via random.org). US/Canada residents only. Contest ends 2/18/09 11:59pm EST.

If you have the most recent BabiesRUs coupon mailer, there's a 15% off coupon for MilkBank products. I'm happy to send out my coupon (expires 2/21/09), so email me - first person who does gets it (motherhooduncensored@yahoo.com)

Comments

[Mir]

It's been a loooooong time since I breastfed (hoping to win this for a friend), but back when I did, I stored my milk in those Playtex nurser bags and squeezed out as much air as I could. This is so much cooler; it's like Vacu Vin for your milk! Love!!

(My favorite "accessory" for my high-tech -- ha! -- system was tiny binder clips from the office supply store, to secure the bag tops.)

[Erin]

I couldn't live without the boppy! That was the second time around, anyway. The first time around it was nursing pads. I am simple. I am done breastfeeding right now but I have a cousin who is just starting out and this would be wonderful for her.
Thanks!

[Therese]

Oh, this is great. I'm due with my first child in May and plan on breastfeeding. I will be returning to work after only about 8 weeks so I see a life of pumping in my future. A good storage system is definitely a must!

[Brooke]

This looks like a great system! My favorite accessory is my bebe au lait nursing cover... my in-laws and several of my friends apparently have a fear of teh boobs... so, if I didn't have it, I would have to go in the other room all the time, or miss out on all the fun conversations. :)

[Dawn]

Wow! That is pretty high tech. I exclusively pump since my little angel refused to breastfeed and well though we have a system down pat now, that bad boy seems pretty damn interesting...

And well my favorite accessory would have to be my damn medela pump. Cause really if the pump wasn't as good as it is, there is no way I would have lasted pumping this long. (5.5 months and counting)

[Cindy]

My Luna Lullaby pillow. It kicks the Boppy's ass!

[Kate Mather]

My favorite accessory is my pump so that I can give my little one breast milk even though I have to be away from her to work. This storage system would be great!

[Shanée]

I love my nursing coverup. Very awesome!

[Julie]

My MUST-HAVE was the horrible nursing pads. I leaked milk like a leaky faucet...so I absolutely HAD to have them wherever I went. My son will be 4 in March (I nursed him for a year) so it's been a while since I've nursed. However, this will come in handy come August when I'm expecting #2!!!!!

Thanks.

[laura]

My boppy, lanolin, and my ameda pump.

[Jessica]

I am due with my second child in July and plan on exclusivly breast feeding. The one accessory that I could not live without is Lanisol. My daughter should thank me for discovering it so I could continue nursing through the pain.

[Erica]

I am due with my first child on April 6th. As I plan on breastfeeding, so far I love my nursing coverup the best!

[Carrie]

I had to have disposable nursing pads, as I leaked like crazy. The reusable ones were a joke for me. But I think my most indispensible thing was my ugly hot water dispenser that my in-laws gave me. It's a Japanese appliance, and I had never seen one before, but now I could not live without it. Nothing worked better for quickly heating up bottles for my son. Just take the milk out of the freezer, pour some hot water, pop the bag in, and voila, within a few minutes it was at the right temp for him. A lifesaver!

[Sarah S]

I liked my nursing cover, the Bebe Au Lait, until my son got old enough to pull it out of the way ! Oops!

[April Cerkiewicz]

I didn't breastfeed with my last baby but I intend to with the one I'm baking. I will go back to work at the latest of 12 weeks after birth so a good system is going to be imperative to me.

The bottles that were a lifesaver for me last time were the playtex nursers with the drop in liners. LOVED those. Cut down on so much sterilization.

[Julielynn]

For those first few weeks, Lansinoh has the most amazing, awesome, wonderfully soothing disposable nursing pads. They are super soft and pillowy. So nice for newly used nipples!

http://refs05.securesites.net/snap038/index.php?src=directory&view=Products&category=Nursing%20Pads&query=category.eq.Nursing%20Pads&refno=22&srctype=Products_detail

[Lida]

This sounds like a great system for my daughter in law. She's expecting twins in May/June and is hoping to breastfeed them for as long as she can and this would be perfect for her to store and feed the breast milk if/when she needs to. I know she used the Avent bottles for her first baby and probably the most important accessory she'll need is a special nursing pillow for twins called an Easy 2 Nurse Twins from Double Blessings.

[Katie]

My favorite breastfeeding accessory is my breasts. Because they are such functional, beautiful pillows of milky love.

[Christie]

I am in month 7 of breastfeeding #2. I pump about twice a week, mainly so I can leave bottles for an occasional babysitter or for my hubby. I love my medela pump..it's quiet enough that I can pump on the phone and the person I am talking to cannot hear it!

[Jill Jacobs]

I need my boobs, my baby, and a boppy and all is good!

[Kaydee]

I'm expecting my first in early September. I'm learning all I can about breastfeeding, but haven't quite decided if I'm going to go through the actual act or just pump and serve. I do know I want the baby to have my milk... just by which means of delivery, I am unsure!

[krystina]

i'm due in july, and will be going back to work, so pumping will be a must, as well as some bottle feedings (which makes me sad, but someone has to pay the rent). This would be a good place to start!

[Nicole M.]

Wow, I feel I was the only one who didn't need anything to breastfeed...just me and baby and we got along fine for months with out any help..

[Cherie]

I need breastpads, I leak at just the sight of a child with a quivering lip.

[Angela]

I could not have survived cracked and chomped nips the first time without the Ameda comfortgel Pads. Straight out of the frige was the most amazing feeling. And they lasted almost a week.