why the stash fixation

Question

Why is everyone so fixated on a large stash. I don't get it really? Your body is responding to need so it just seems like you're expecting to suddenly run dry

Answer

If you have an unpredictable work schedule it may not be possible to consistently pump when you return. This means you may lose some supply from having to wait too long between pumping, and you can't predict whether you will be able to keep it up once that vicious cycle starts. For some moms, every 25 oz in the freezer is one day more breast milk in the event that you are forced to give up nursing and pumping due to circumstances beyond your control. I'm a surgery resident and three times overnight got called to respond to a trauma while on my way to the lactation room with my pump bag. I often have to go over 8 hours without pumping and that erodes at my supply in the next few days. I almost lost my supply completely when I was sick last month and still super busy at work. Having a freezer stash that i built early on before going back to work helped me start off with a robust supply and I count every extra bag as a step toward ensuring we can make it to my goal of one year. That's what my stash means to me.

Answer

Totally agree! I see so many posts with mama's panicked that they cannot breastfeed and return to work without a huge freezer stash. Also all that pumping early on is going to lead to over supply, clogged ducts, ect. 😣

Answer

I don't pump at all and I have a 500oz stash. I catch everything that drips off the opposite side while my little one nurses. We're donating 300 of those ounces to a special needs baby on Wednesday, that is what makes me proud of my stash.

Answer

I also thought that your milk adjusts to accommodate what your baby needs. Wouldn't the milk pumped for a 4 week old would be different to the needs of a 6 month old?

Answer

Every one and every supply is different and every baby has different needs. So every one do what you want and keep posting and sharing. I like seeing how different families/mom/babies operate. Isn't that that point of this app?

Answer

I agree. Some women just do have an oversupply and it's great when they can donate, but I feel like all the bragging about large stashes makes women feel like they're not making enough because they can't pump all that much. I have about 100oz frozen, but it's going to be used in daycare. I just keep a buffer in case I don't pump enough one day.

Answer

His doc told me to pump his bottle because he lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks. My son will fall asleep before he was full. That's why I need my stash.

Answer

👏👏👏👏👏👏 THANK YOU!!! I never understand it. I would always pump enough to get through the next day and a half (even if I had to squeeze an ounce or so out when I got home!) I had a minimal stash when I went back to work (just in case) but not these crazy freezer stashes that I see people going crazy about. Oh, and guess what happened to that stash I had? It went into the trash because my LO developed a milk allergy.

Answer

Because a huge freezer stash goes away in like, three days. People don't realize just how much a baby eats until you exclusively pump. Having a low stash is literally the worst stress on a mommy. I just got pregnant again and I was an exclusive pumper. My supply plummeted so instead of being horrified and my NEGATIVE stash (my son was screaming every night for food while I pumped an ounce or two less than normal just to leave him hungry again...) so I am transitioning to formula. /: it's a sense of security.

Answer

It's true! I have about 120oz. Frozen and haventbused any of it. I think it's all going to be tossed too because it all looks like it's freezer burnt and smells different when I've defrosted it.

why the stash fixation

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey