Whether you’re planning to return to work, want your partner to help with feeds, or simply wish to have a backup for peace of mind, building a freezer stash of breastmilk can be a reassuring step in your breastfeeding journey. Many new mums worry about having “enough” milk stored away, but the good news is: with some planning, the right techniques, and a little patience, you can create a solid freezer stash without compromising your baby’s current feeding needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to build a freezer stash in a way that supports your breastfeeding relationship—not replaces it. We’ll focus on feeding your baby often (because that’s the cornerstone of healthy milk production), how to time your pumping with your body’s natural prolactin rhythms, using techniques like breast compressions and power pumping, and why choosing the right breast pump—such as a hospital-grade option like the Ameda Mya Joy Plus—can make a world of difference.
Start with the Basics: Feed Your Baby Often
It might seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to stash away milk, but the most important principle is this: your baby comes first.
Milk production works on the principle of supply and demand. The more often your baby feeds, the more signals your body gets to make milk. Prioritising frequent feeding in the early weeks is crucial because this helps establish a strong supply from the outset. When babies are allowed to feed on demand—whenever they show hunger cues like rooting, sucking on fists, or increased alertness—they stimulate the release of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.
Delaying feeds or skipping nursing sessions in favour of pumping can backfire by reducing stimulation to the breast, which in turn can lower supply. So, the key takeaway here is this: let your baby nurse as often as they wish, and think of your freezer stash as something you’re building gradually alongside—not instead of—your nursing routine.
Understand the Role of Prolactin and Your Body’s Rhythms
Breastmilk production is closely tied to your hormonal rhythms, especially prolactin. Prolactin levels are highest during the early hours of the morning, typically between midnight and 6 am. This is when your body is most responsive to stimulation and when milk volume tends to be at its peak.
To take advantage of this natural rhythm, consider fitting in a pumping session during this early morning window. Yes, it might be tempting to sleep through, but even one extra session at around 4–6 am can yield a surprisingly good amount of milk. This is especially true if your baby has started sleeping longer stretches at night.
If you’re not keen on a full pump session, even a quick 10- to 15-minute expression using a hospital-grade pump can help signal your body to keep up its production.
Start Small and Be Consistent
The idea of building a large freezer stash overnight can be daunting, but the key is to start small and stay consistent. Begin by collecting just one extra pumping session per day. If you manage to express even 30–60 ml daily, within a week, you’ll have around 210–420 ml in the freezer. Over a month, that adds up considerably.
An ideal time to fit in this extra session is after your baby’s first morning feed. At this point, prolactin levels are still elevated, and your breasts are likely to have some residual milk. You don’t need to “empty” your breasts; the goal is simply to collect what’s available after your baby has fed.
Choose the Right Breast Pump: Go Hospital Grade if Possible
If you’re serious about building a stash, the quality of your pump matters. While hand pumps and basic electric pumps can be helpful for occasional use, they often fall short when it comes to efficiency and comfort—especially when you’re expressing daily.
Hospital-grade pumps, such as the Ameda Mya Joy Plus, are designed for frequent and long-term use. These pumps offer:
- Stronger suction strength to mimic baby’s suckling more effectively
- Customisable cycle speeds and suction levels for greater comfort
- Closed-system hygiene protection, preventing milk backflow
- Double pumping capability, saving time and enhancing milk output
The Ameda Mya Joy Plus is a compact and portable hospital-strength pump that suits both at-home use and return-to-work planning. It’s particularly useful for mothers who need to express regularly or are working to increase their supply.
Make the Most of Breast Compressions
Breast compressions can significantly boost the amount of milk you express during a pumping session. This technique involves gently squeezing and massaging your breast while the pump is running. It helps encourage milk flow and ensures that more milk is drained from the breast, which in turn signals your body to produce more.
To do this effectively:
- Use your hands to gently massage your breasts before you start pumping.
- Once the milk starts to flow, use a ‘C-hold’ (thumb on top, fingers underneath) to gently compress the breast as the pump works.
- Rotate the position of your hand every few minutes to stimulate different milk ducts.
Some mums find that their milk flow increases significantly with this hands-on approach, especially when combined with a good-quality double electric pump.
Try Power Pumping to Mimic Cluster Feeding
If you’re looking to increase supply or boost your freezer stash more quickly, power pumping can be an excellent tool. This technique mimics a baby’s natural cluster feeding pattern, which can send strong signals to the body to produce more milk.
Here’s a sample power pumping schedule:
- Pump for 20 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
Try to do this once a day for 3–4 consecutive days. Many mothers see an increase in supply within 5–7 days. Power pumping is best done in the evening when babies tend to cluster feed and your body is used to more frequent stimulation.
While power pumping can be time-consuming, it’s not something you need to do forever—just a short-term strategy to kickstart or enhance production when needed.
Storage Tips: Making the Most of Your Stash
Once you begin expressing, proper storage becomes key. Here are a few tips to ensure your stash stays safe and usable:
- Store breastmilk in small quantities (60–120 ml) so you only defrost what you need.
- Label each bag or container with the date of expression.
- Use breastmilk storage bags or sterile food-grade containers.
- Place bags flat in the freezer to save space.
- Use the first in, first out method when choosing milk to thaw if using within a few days.
Frozen breastmilk is best used within 6 months, though it can be safe for up to 12 months if stored at the back of a deep freezer.
Managing Expectations: Quality Over Quantity
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your stash to someone else’s. Social media can make it seem like everyone else has a freezer bursting with breastmilk. But remember: you’re not preparing for a famine, you’re just building a cushion.
A stash of 1–2 weeks’ worth of feeds is usually more than enough. For a baby who takes 120 ml per feed, 6 feeds a day means a stash of 5–7 days would require around 3.6–5 litres of milk. You don’t need to get there all at once—and you may never need all of it.
Final Thoughts: A Balanced Approach
Building a freezer stash of breastmilk doesn’t have to mean hours hooked up to a pump or putting pressure on yourself to fill an entire freezer drawer. It’s about finding a balance between feeding your baby in the moment and preparing for times when you might not be available.
By feeding your baby often, understanding your body’s hormonal patterns, using effective techniques like breast compressions and power pumping, and choosing the right pump (like the Ameda Mya Joy Plus), you can build a stash gradually and confidently. Remember, every drop counts. Whether you’ve got a few pouches in the freezer or a full week’s worth, what matters most is that you’re supporting your baby’s nutrition in a way that works for both of you.
