Breastmilk storage bags?

[shoebert]

What kind of bags does everyone use to store their milk? I've been using Lansinoh but have just had it with the leaks in the bags. At first I thought it was just because I had dropped a couple out of the freezer (when frozen) and it caused a hole, but I've had several now that have leaks in various places on the side, and today one right out the top! And these are bags that I haven't put much in - maybe 3-4oz per bag. Does anyone have bags the use that work better?

[keen1981]

I use that brand. Have for years. Never leaked. Not once. Are you freezing them flat? That's a huge help.

[Palooka]

Yeh I always used lansinoh without more than the occasional leak. If you have a full box of bags that leak you should return them to the store as defective. I tried using medela bags for a while because they had a hook to allow you to pump directly into the bag, but the bags themselves were stiff and the hole in the top made them impossible to pour.

[ashley84]

All bags have occasional leaks. I actually think that Lansinoh bags are some of the better ones. I used to use those all the time. I use Honeysuckle bags exclusively now. They are the cheapest, by far. I buy them in bulk online. They are just like the Lansinoh bags, only thicker. They have occasional leaks too.

I donated 750oz privately, back in Oct or Nov. That milk was in 4 different kinds of bags. I talked to the recipient about leaks recently. She said that 3-4 of those bags have leaked. She said they were all different brands and that they were usually bags with around 4oz in them. I used to think that only the fuller bags leaked. Apparently this is not the case.

The only real solution I have found it to thaw the bags inside of a sealed ziplock baggie. Then the milk is salvageable if the bag leaks. You can reuse the same Ziplock baggie over and over again until a milk bag leaks inside of it.

[shoebert]

Thanks for the feedback. I do freeze the bags flat. I'm not sure how many bags I've had a leak with but maybe a dozen? Not more than 20. And that's out of... I'm not sure... 10 weeks of ~4 bags a day. So I guess percentage wise maybe it's not that much. The last month I've been putting ~8 ounces per bag so I hope that doesn't cause additional problems.

I'll have to check out the Honeysuckle bags! Where do you buy them online? Amazon?

[Nerissa]

I only use the lansihol bags. I hate the medela bags. I used them but couldnt' get more than 4oz in the bag and with the hole in the top it is a PITB to pour out. I have never had one leak in the freezer, but like anything frozen in a bag, you can get a hole if they get banged against something. I always thaw in a cup or bowl so if it does leak I can still use the milk.

Infact the bags I pulled out for monday's bottles one had a tiny hole.

I started putting 10oz in each bag to save bags and by the time I need this milk I will need more than 3 or 4 oz at a time.

[Nerissa]

I only use the lansihol bags. I hate the medela bags. I used them but couldnt' get more than 4oz in the bag and with the hole in the top it is a PITB to pour out. I have never had one leak in the freezer, but like anything frozen in a bag, you can get a hole if they get banged against something. I always thaw in a cup or bowl so if it does leak I can still use the milk.

Infact the bags I pulled out for monday's bottles one had a tiny hole.

I started putting 10oz in each bag to save bags and by the time I need this milk I will need more than 3 or 4 oz at a time.

[Nerissa]

I only use the lansihol bags. I hate the medela bags. I used them but couldnt' get more than 4oz in the bag and with the hole in the top it is a PITB to pour out. I have never had one leak in the freezer, but like anything frozen in a bag, you can get a hole if they get banged against something. I always thaw in a cup or bowl so if it does leak I can still use the milk.

Infact the bags I pulled out for monday's bottles one had a tiny hole.

I started putting 10oz in each bag to save bags and by the time I need this milk I will need more than 3 or 4 oz at a time.

[ashley84]

I thinking overfilling the bags is a huge part of it. I don't think you should ever put more than 6oz in a Lansinoh bag. Even 6oz might be pushing it. That's stretching the bag way beyond it's capacity. The bags are stretched further when they freeze.

I honestly can't even imagine being able to fit 10oz into a single bag. I guess if you're committed to always thawing them out in Ziplock baggies, it wouldn't be as big of a deal. If the seams are split the milk will turn bad much faster though.

[PurpleDaffodil]

I'm surprised no one has recommended honeysuckle. these bags rock! order one pack and you wont be disappointed you can literally feel how thick they are!