Milk Trays – a breast milk and baby food freezing system invented by moms for moms!
Let’s face it – pumping and storing breast milk takes effort. It is a labor of love, of course, but hard work nonetheless. But, if pumping and storing your breast milk helps you reach your breastfeeding goals and allows your child to have your breast milk for as long as possible, it is worth every bit of effort, right?
Milk Trays, a breast milk freezing system, can help to make this chore easier. At first glance, Milk Trays look similar to typical ice cube trays. But, take a closer look and you will see that Milk Trays are much, much more. Unlike ice cube trays, Milk Trays are specifically designed for expressed milk with a total of 16 semi-cylinder cavities holding 1 oz. each.
Most importantly, Milk Trays are made from PET plastic, a food-safe plastic that contains no bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, or dyes. Milk Trays freeze your milk in 1-ounce “Milk Sticks” that fit through ALL bottle openings and allow you to thaw just the right amount of milk for each feeding – so that not a drop of your “liquid gold” goes to waste. Milk Trays have fitted lids that protect your milk while it freezes and allow for space-saving stacking in the freezer, and the trays are flexible enough to allow the Milk Sticks to be removed easily. And, last but not least, Milk Trays are reusable – making them the most economical and environmentally-friendly choice for freezing your breast milk.
Wondering how much milk baby needs? Read our articles about feeding your baby at 7 weeks, and throughout the first year.
Instructions for use:
1) Pour breast milk directly into trays just below the “fill line” – Do not overfill (milk will expand as it freezes).
2) Cover trays with lid and place in freezer, milk will be frozen in 3-4 hours.
3) After removing frozen trays, wait approx. 30-45 seconds before flexing to remove your milk sticks. For a demonstration, please click here.
4) To remove milk sticks, hold tray at both ends and begin flexing back and forth several times. As the milk sticks begin separating it will become easier to flex the tray.
5) Place sticks into a ziplock bag (quart size recommended) and place back in freezer for future use.
6) Hand wash trays. DO NOT PUT TRAYS IN THE DISHWASHER.
When it’s time to introduce solids, use the Milk Trays to freeze homemade baby food!
Is your baby ready to start eating solid foods? With so many pre-packaged baby foods available, finding the healthiest foods from the grocery store shelves can be a difficult chore.
Instead of spending valuable time in the supermarket aisles scrutinizing baby food jar labels, many parents find it easier and more comforting (not too mention more economical) to make baby foods at home. Homemade baby foods are fresher and more nutrient-dense than many pre-packaged baby foods. And, by making your own, you get to choose exactly what goes into the foods your baby is eating – that means no additives, preservatives, starchy fillers, sugar or sodium!
But, life with a baby is hectic and unpredictable, so trying to make homemade baby food each day can become burdensome. Making a big batch of baby food from your favorite vegetables or fruits and freezing it for later use is a great way to be sure you have food ready for your baby when you need it.
To view answers to some commonly asked questions pertaining to Milk Trays, see the FAQ’s.
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4 reviews with a 4-star rating
IMPORTANT - Reviews represent the experiences of individual customers only, and are not intended to serve as an indication of generally expected results. This product is not intended to cure, prevent, or treat any disease, and is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Highlights
- Each tray freezes eight 1-ounce “Milk Sticks” (or food sticks), allowing you to thaw the exact amount you need for each feeding
- Trays are made from food-grade plastic that is free from bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and dyes
- Milk Sticks fit in ALL bottle openings
- Total of 16 semi-cylinder cavities that are 1 oz. each
- Manufactured in the USA & 100% reusable and recyclable
- More economical than milk storage bags – no recurring purchases
- Hand wash only
- New version with tighter fitting lids!
FAQ
Here’s our list of most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed or you need further clarification, please contact us directly.
How should I collect milk in the Milk Tray?
It is recommended to collect pumped milk all day and store it in the refrigerator. Then, at the end of the day, put all of the days worth of pumped milk into the Milk Tray to freeze overnight. Remember, it only takes roughly 5 hours for the milk to freeze, so if you need to freeze more milk than just the two trays each day, you can freeze them and transfer them to a bag a couple times a day!
How long does it take for the milk to freeze in the Milk Tray?
Its takes about 5 hours for breast milk to freeze in the Milk Tray.
How do I get the milk out of the Milk Tray?
When removing the sticks from the Milk Tray, the tray needs to sit out for 2 minutes to “thaw” slightly. Don’t be afraid to bend the tray when removing the milk sticks. The tray is designed to be flexible and won’t break with bending.
Are the Milk Trays meant for milk storage?
The Milk Tray is not a place for milk storage. It is intended to be used to freeze the milk in convenient, 1-ounce sticks only. Once frozen, the milk sticks should be transferred to a plastic bag (be sure the plastic bag is “freezer safe”) for storage in the freezer. It is recommended to only keep 16 sticks in each quart-size bag.
How long can I store my milk in the Milk Tray?
We recommend keeping your milk in the Milk Tray for no more than 48 hours.
How long can I keep the milk sticks in the freezer?
Once transferred to a bag, storage recommendations for frozen milk should be followed (up to 6 months in a regular freezer, up to a year or more in a deep freeze).
What is the best way to thaw the milk sticks?
When you need to reheat milk for your baby, pull out the exact number of Milk Sticks that you need and place them in a bottle or cup.
How should I wash the Milk Tray?
DO NOT put your trays in the dishwasher. To avoid warping, we recommend that you hand wash the trays!
Do I need to sterilize my Milk Tray before I use it?
It is not necessary to sterilize your Milk Tray. We recommend hand washing and drying the Milk Tray before use.
What dimensions are the milk sticks once frozen?
The dimensions are approximately 3.75 inches long, 1 inch wide, and a little more than .5 inches deep.
Media
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IMPORTANT – Reviews represent the experiences of individual customers only, and are not intended to serve as an indication of generally expected results. This product is not intended to cure, prevent, or treat any disease, and is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Milk Trays: How to Freeze and Store Your Breast Milk:
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Elizabeth Parsons –
The way that the milk is stored in 1oz sizes is very convenient for those feedings when your baby wants a little more or a little less than normal. I am excited to try these with homemade baby food in a couple months!
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Kristin –
I like that these trays come presterilized and ready to use. I’ve only used the frozen sticks in a four ounce bottle so far… it seems they take a long time to melt/warm. Other than that, it’s a great product, especially for that ounce of milk left over from pumping. I plan to use some of the frozen sticks when teething time comes around.
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K Wurtele –
This product freezes breast milk in 1 oz blocks which is more convenient for a very young baby who is still only drinking a couple oz at a time. I used 5 oz bags in the past and could waste breast milk because you have to thaw all five oz. I haven’t used any of the breast milk yet, but am slightly concerned about freezer burn affecting the taste and baby’s willingness to drink the milk. Also, if it partially thaws when you are transporting it, all the ice cubes could freeze together in a big block defeating the purpose of the ice cubes.
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Jess –
This is a great idea to prevent wasting milk and to know exactly how much you are pumping/thawing. I never could get a good idea from storage bags.
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