Choosing to freeze-dry your breast milk is one decision. Choosing how you would like the finished powder packaged is another.
Nourishy offers three main formats: Single-Feed, Multi-Feed and Combo. The milk goes through the same core freeze-drying and quality-control process; the difference is how your powder is divided and how you will use it afterwards.
There is no universally “best” option. The right fit depends on whether you want to keep individual bag details, measure different amounts from a larger pouch, or have the flexibility of both.
Single-Feed, Multi-Feed and Combo at a glance
| Option | How your milk is packaged | May suit you if… | Main point to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Feed | Each original lactation bag is processed individually and generally becomes its own powder pouch. | You value individual bag notes, convenient portions or easy handover to a caregiver. | Pouch amounts reflect the milk volumes you originally froze, so they may vary. |
| Multi-Feed | Milk is grouped into larger resealable pouches, in batches of approximately 1.3 kg of frozen milk. | You want to measure different feed amounts from one larger pouch. | Follow the rehydration table and use the pouch within the current 30-day open-use window. |
| Combo | Your stash is divided as close to half as practical between Single-Feed and Multi-Feed. | You want individual pouches for some situations and a larger pouch for regular use. | The split may vary slightly because the original frozen bags have different weights. |
What is Single-Feed packaging?
With Nourishy Single-Feed, each lactation bag you send is weighed, logged and processed individually. It generally becomes its own pouch of powder, with personalised instructions showing how much water to add to rehydrate that pouch back to the intended volume.
Any useful notes written on the original milk bag; such as the expression date or time, can be transferred to the finished label. That makes Single-Feed useful when those details matter to you or when you want a straightforward pouch to give to a partner, grandparent, daycare educator or other caregiver.
Single-Feed does not necessarily mean every pouch contains the same amount. If your frozen bags contain different volumes, the returned powder pouches will differ too. Bags below Nourishy's qualifying minimum may also need to be combined during processing, so review the current milk requirements before assuming every small bag will be returned separately.
Single-Feed may suit you if:
- retaining the notes from individual milk bags matters to you
- you want pouches that correspond to the milk amounts you originally stored
- you regularly pack milk for travel, daycare or another caregiver
- you prefer opening one smaller pouch at a time rather than a larger supply
What is Multi-Feed packaging?
With Nourishy Multi-Feed, your frozen milk is grouped into larger batches and returned in resealable pouches. Nourishy's current approved guidance describes approximately 1.3 kg of frozen milk per Multi-Feed pouch, subject to the actual milk received and operational requirements.
Each order includes a scoop, and the pouch carries a rehydration table so you can measure the amount needed for a particular feed. This can be helpful if your baby does not take the same volume every time, or if you expect to use the powder regularly from one central supply.
Because several frozen bags contribute to one larger pouch, Multi-Feed does not preserve the same one-bag-to-one-pouch relationship as Single-Feed. Nourishy can aim to group milk with similar dates or notes, but you should not choose Multi-Feed if retaining an exact set of details for every original bag is essential.
Once opened, a Multi-Feed pouch has a 30-day open-use window under Nourishy's current instructions. Keep it resealed and follow the handling and preparation directions supplied with your order.
Multi-Feed may suit you if:
- you want to prepare different feed sizes from one pouch
- you expect to use the powder regularly after opening it
- individual bag dates and notes are less important to you
- you prefer fewer, larger pouches rather than many individual ones
What is Combo packaging?
Nourishy Combo divides your stash as close to the middle as practical: one portion is returned as Single-Feed pouches and the other as Multi-Feed packaging.
This option can work well when your routine is not always the same. You might keep individual pouches ready for childcare, travel or occasional use, while opening a Multi-Feed pouch for everyday feeds at home.
The division may not be precisely 50/50 because frozen milk bags vary in weight and cannot always be split neatly without changing how they are processed. Think of Combo as an approximately even mix rather than an exact mathematical division.
Combo may suit you if:
- you can see advantages in both formats
- some of your milk will be used regularly and some only occasionally
- you want individual pouches available for outings or caregivers
- you would rather try both formats than commit your whole stash to one
What if I want every pouch to contain the same amount?
Standard Single-Feed pouches reflect the different volumes in the lactation bags you originally froze. If you want equal portion sizes, Nourishy's optional Perfect Portions service can divide combined freeze-dried milk into your selected portions from 100 mL to 220 mL.
There are two important trade-offs. Perfect Portions adds a handling step using sanitised stainless-steel equipment, so it is an exception to Nourishy's standard no-touch process. Because the milk is combined before being divided evenly, notes from individual lactation bags cannot be retained on the final pouches.
If consistent portion sizes matter more than individual bag details, Perfect Portions may be worth considering alongside your packaging choice.
A simple way to choose
Start with the feature you care about most:
- Choose Single-Feed if individual bag notes and smaller pouches are the priority.
- Choose Multi-Feed if flexible measuring from a larger pouch is the priority.
- Choose Combo if you expect to use your milk in several different ways.
- Consider Perfect Portions if equal-sized pouches are more important than retaining individual bag notes.
Also think about how quickly you will use an opened pouch, who will prepare feeds, whether feed sizes vary and how much value you place on the dates or other details written on your original storage bags.
Whichever format you choose, use the personalised label or rehydration table supplied with your milk. Do not rely on a generic ratio or assume that every pouch represents the same volume. You can see how the labels work in How to Use Your Stash.
Ready to choose your packaging?
Compare Nourishy's Single-Feed, Multi-Feed and Combo options and select the kit size that matches your stash. If you are still unsure, contact the Nourishy team and tell us how you expect to use the milk; we can help you compare the practical trade-offs before you order.
