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How much breastmilk should I leave for a babysitter?

Understanding Breastmilk Storage for Babysitters
When it comes to leaving your baby with a babysitter, especially if you are breastfeeding, planning how much breastmilk to provide is crucial for both the caregiver and your little one. Here’s a detailed look at how much breastmilk you should consider leaving and the best practices for storage.
Recommended Amount of Breastmilk
The general guideline for breastmilk intake is about 1 to 1.5 ounces per hour for infants up to 6 months of age. Therefore, if you plan to be away for a few hours, you can calculate the amount based on this guideline:
– For a 3-hour absence: Approximately 3 to 4.5 ounces of breastmilk.
– For a 6-hour absence: About 6 to 9 ounces would be appropriate.
It’s important to consider your baby’s individual needs, as some may consume more or less than the average. If your baby is accustomed to taking larger bottles, adjust accordingly.
Considerations for Older Infants
If your baby is older than 6 months, they might be starting on solid foods, which can affect their breastmilk intake. In this case, you might offer around 4 to 6 ounces per feeding, depending on how much solids they are consuming.
Storage and Preparation Tips
To ensure the quality of the breastmilk:
1. Storage: Store the breastmilk in clean, BPA-free bottles or storage bags. Label each container with the date and time it was expressed.

2. Refrigeration: Freshly expressed breastmilk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you plan on being gone longer, consider freezing some of the milk. Frozen breastmilk can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
3. Thawing: If you provide frozen milk, make sure to inform your babysitter about proper thawing methods—placing it in the refrigerator overnight or using warm water to gently thaw it.
4. Feeding Instructions: Include simple instructions for your babysitter on how to warm the milk and what to do if your baby refuses the bottle.
Communicating with Your Babysitter
Before leaving your baby with a sitter, have a discussion about feeding preferences and routines. This will not only ensure that the babysitter feels confident but also helps your baby feel more secure during your absence.
Conclusion
In summary, the amount of breastmilk to leave for a babysitter typically ranges from 1 to 1.5 ounces per hour of separation, adjusted for your baby’s specific needs. Proper storage and clear communication with your babysitter will help make the experience smooth for everyone involved. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your baby remains nourished and content while you are away.

How do you store breast milk for babysitters?

Label milk with the date it was expressed and the child’s name if delivering to childcare. Store milk in the back of the freezer or refrigerator, not the door. Freeze milk in small amounts of 2 to 4 ounces to avoid wasting any.

How much should I lay my babysitter?

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What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

How do I prepare my breastfed baby for daycare?

The more milk your baby and pump take, the more your body will make! at least 2 weeks before starting child care. Pump after the morning feeding or at other times when your breasts feel fuller. surprised or worried if you only get a little the first few times. Moms typically make ½ to 1 ounce of breast milk per hour.

Can I refrigerate an unfinished bottle of breastmilk?

Any remaining breast milk left in a bottle after your baby is finished with a feeding should be used within 2 hours—or, if quickly refrigerated, used for the next feeding. You can always thaw an extra container if needed.

How much milk to leave with a babysitter?

2 to 3 oz every 2 hours to be safe. If she doesn’t want it all then it’s okay. Make sure you pump every 3 or 4 hours.

How many ounces of breastmilk should I leave?

Expressing for time away from baby
A typical range of milk intake is 19oz to 30oz (570ml to 900ml) per day. Use these steps to work out the amount of breast milk your baby will need: Estimate the number of times that your baby breastfeeds per day (in 24 hours). Divide 25oz (750ml) by the number of breastfeeds.

How do I send a breastfed baby to daycare?

Pump When the Baby Eats
A good rule of thumb is to pump at the same intervals that your baby is eating. Typically, this is every three hours. If your daycare sends updates throughout the day, use their updates as a reminder to pump. If you have the time, add in an extra session once a day to keep the momentum going.

How much breastmilk should I leave for my baby?

Estimate the number of times that your baby breastfeeds per day (in 24 hours). Divide 25oz (750ml) by the number of breastfeeds. This gives you a rough guide for the amount of expressed milk your exclusively breastfed baby will need at one feeding.

How many ounces of breastmilk should I send to daycare?

Say your baby drinks 3 ounces of milk at every feeding and eats every 2-3 hours. If you’ll be gone for an eight-hour workday, sending 10 to 12 ounces of milk is a great starting point. Hey, you know your baby best—send the amount you feel comfortable with. Any extra milk can be used after pick-up.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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