Eighteen months ago when I purchased my highly recommended Medela Pump In Style breastpump when my third child was born in preparation for returning part time to my nursing job at the hospital, I reluctantly spent an extra $20 and picked up the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack so that I could begin stockpiling breastmilk in the freezer while off on maternity leave. Looking back now, I certainly wish that I had bought a much smaller package, for now I am left with almost half of my initial purchase just lying around going to waste. While these breastmilk storage bags certainly do an adequate job of storing excess breastmilk in the freezer for later use, they certainly are not worth the high price attached to them as there are much better lower priced alternatives currently on the market today.


~~~The Storage Bags~~~

The Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack are intended for the collection, storage, and freezing of pumped breastmilk. They have been designed to minimize oxygen exposure (which leads to and causes freezer burn) and protect your breastmilk during the storage process. Labeled with clear ounce (1 to 5 ounces) and milliliter (50 to 150 ml) markers for accurate measurements, these clear sterile plastic storage bags may be directly attached to the Medela Pump In Style during the collection process to decrease the risk of contamination or spills if desired. After a frozen bag has been thawed, it may also be used with most disposable bottle sets or the contents may poured directly into a reusable bottle by tearing a hole in the bottom of the baggie. Just be careful with those "bread-tie like" twist-tie fasteners that come with the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Ecomony 50 Pack as I spilled and wasted many an ounce of that precious gold liquid more than once because of their inferior design.


~~~Packaging & Price~~~

Each recloseable cardboard box of Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack contains 50 individual sterile bags, 50 corresponding blue twist ties, and instructions for use. I purchased mine from estyle.com for right around $20, which equals out to 40 cents for each bag. Since it takes two bags per pumping session, I initially thought that 80 cents per use was a bit high, but at the time I had no idea that better less expensive products were available. Live and learn, I guess. Anyway, I DID like the packaging though, for I could just slip the entire cardboard envelope into the side pocket of my Medela Pump In Style and easily take my Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack with me to work. So a fresh supply was always conveniently available as needed that way at least.


~~~Storing & Freezing Breastmilk~~~

After collecting or pouring pumped breastmilk into each sterile Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack with the blue twist tie already attached through the two holes at the top of the bag, place the bag into a coffee cup or other container for greater stability as it helps to decrease the risk of spills before attempting to seal each one. Be sure not to fill the storage bags past the 150 ml (5 ounce) mark, as extra space is needed for the breastmilk to expand during the freezing process. Smaller portions may be needed for younger babies anyway as it results in less waste and a faster thawing time. Fold the top of the bag down THREE times and then secure in place with the twist tie as tightly as possible. Label each bag in the designated area with the date and time of each pumping session so that the oldest packages of breastmilk stored in the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack can be used first. While Medela states that double bagging is not necessary when using their bags, I'd suggest placing them in a larger gallon-sized Ziplock bag to decrease the risk of freezer burn and to catch and spills that might occur. Frozen breastmilk should be used within 3 to 6 months for best quality.


~~~Overall Recommendation~~~

While the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack are advertised as the safest disposable bags for storing breastmilk and certainly do an adequate job, higher quality and easier to use bags at a much lower price are certainly available to breastfeeding/pumping mothers. My recommendation would be the Gerber Breastmilk Storage Bags with their high quality plastic design and ziplock seal, which can be found easily at most discount stores now. So until Medela updates those awful, hard to use twist ties, I'd suggest passing on these high priced storage bags and choosing something else, or at the very least purchase a smaller package to see if these bags work well for you first. For when consumers purchase the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack, they are paying for the brand name only and not a high quality nursing accessory product. If sold at a lower price, I would easily raise my rating. But for now, these bags just are not worth the extra cost, pure and simple.


For more information on the Medela CSF Breastmilk Bags--Economy 50 Pack as well as recommended high quality breastpumps and other nursing accessories, check out their website online at:

www.medela.com

Questions or comments?
1-800-435-8316

Medela, Inc.
PO Box 660
McHenry, IL 60051-0660, USA


Please check out my review of the Medela Pump In Style breastpump if you are interested in learning more:

http://www.epinions.com/content_8088751748



Recommended: No