And, Why Freeze-Drying Breast Milk Is Worth Every Penny!

Introduction

If you've ever looked into freeze-drying services for breast milk, you might have been surprised by the price tag. It's natural to wonder why something that seems so straightforward could cost so much. In this blog post, we'll break down the factors that contribute to the cost of freeze-drying breast milk and why it's a worthy investment for preserving liquid gold.

The Science Behind Freeze-Drying

Freeze-drying, also known as lyophilization, is a complex process that involves freezing the material and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water to sublimate directly from the solid phase to the gas phase. This process preserves the nutritional content, flavor, and texture of the material, making it ideal for breast milk.

Specialized Equipment

The freeze-drying process requires specialized machinery that can maintain extremely low temperatures and pressures. These machines are not your everyday household appliances; they are high-tech and expensive to purchase and maintain. The equipment also needs to be sterilized thoroughly to ensure that the breast milk remains uncontaminated, adding another layer of complexity and cost.

Labor and Expertise

Operating a freeze-dryer isn't as simple as pushing a button. It requires trained technicians who understand the nuances of the process, from setting the right temperature and pressure to timing the sublimation process perfectly. Their expertise ensures that the breast milk retains its nutritional value, which is crucial for your child's well-being and development. Further, the batch needs to be monitored throughout the days long process to ensure the integrity of the milk is not compromised on its processing journey.

Quality Control

When it comes to literal liquid gold, quality control is non-negotiable. Each batch has to be rigorously tested to ensure it meets all safety standards and that to confirm sublimation has occurred. This involves additional labor and sometimes third-party lab testing, which adds to the overall cost.

Time-Consuming Process

Freeze-drying is not a quick process; it can take several days to complete a single batch. The slow nature of the process limits the amount of breast milk that can be processed at one time, making it a labor-intensive service. And, each client’s batch must be processed and handled separately in order to avoid cross-contamination, further limiting the amount of milk that can be processed at a time.

Packaging and Storage

Once the breast milk is freeze-dried, it needs to be packaged in an extremely meticulous way to maintain its integrity. Each individual packet of your {m}othership milk is portioned and packaged by hand. The specialized bags that are used are of the highest quality available to keep moisture, air and light out, ensuring that the milk remains preserved for an extended period of time. As an added step, an oxygen absorber is also added to support long-time preservation. Next, the bags are hermetically sealed twice.

Conclusion

While freeze-drying breast milk may seem expensive at first glance, understanding the intricacies of the process sheds light on why it's worth every penny. From specialized equipment and skilled labor to stringent quality control measures, each step contributes to the cost but also ensures that you're getting the best possible product for your child.

Investing in freeze-drying your breast milk is an investment in your child's health and well-being, and that, as any parent will tell you, is priceless.