Can I prevent high lipase milk?

Understanding High Lipase Milk
High lipase milk is a condition that can affect breastfeeding mothers, leading to changes in the taste and smell of expressed breast milk. Lipase is an enzyme that helps break down fats in milk, but when present in excess, it can cause the milk to develop a soapy or rancid flavor, which may lead to babies refusing to drink it. This phenomenon can be distressing for mothers who rely on pumped milk for feeding.
Causes of High Lipase Milk
The exact reasons why some mothers produce milk with high lipase levels remain unclear. However, it is known that lipase activity can increase during the storage of breast milk, particularly when it is refrigerated or frozen. This enzymatic activity can lead to the breakdown of fats, resulting in undesirable flavors and odors that can deter infants from consuming the milk.
Preventing High Lipase Activity
While it may not be possible to completely prevent high lipase milk, there are several strategies that mothers can employ to manage and mitigate its effects:
1. Immediate Cooling: One effective method is to cool the milk quickly after pumping. Placing the milk in a shallow container and immersing it in ice water can help reduce lipase activity. This rapid cooling process slows down the enzymatic reactions that lead to off-flavors.
2. Shorter Storage Times: Limiting the time that milk is stored can also help. Freshly expressed milk is less likely to develop high lipase characteristics compared to milk that has been stored for longer periods. Aim to use or freeze milk within a few days of pumping.
3. Scalding the Milk: Another approach is to scald the milk before storing it. Heating the milk to just below boiling (around 180°F or 82°C) can deactivate the lipase enzyme, preventing it from affecting the milk’s taste. After scalding, the milk should be cooled quickly and stored properly.
4. Testing for Lipase Levels: Mothers can conduct a simple taste test by expressing a small amount of milk and storing it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. If the milk develops an off taste, it may indicate high lipase levels, prompting the need for one of the aforementioned strategies.
Conclusion
While high lipase milk can pose challenges for breastfeeding mothers, understanding the condition and implementing preventive measures can help ensure that babies receive the nutrition they need without rejecting expressed milk. By cooling milk promptly, limiting storage times, scalding before storage, and testing for lipase levels, mothers can effectively manage this issue and continue to provide their little ones with the benefits of breast milk.

How to prevent breast milk from tasting soapy?

Scalding fresh milk will stop the enzymes from breaking down the fat, preventing that soapy smell and taste.

How to avoid high lipase in breastmilk?

Scald your breastmilk to reduce high lipase.
If your breastmilk does have high lipase, you can scald your milk before freezing or storing to prevent this from happening.

What to eat to lower lipase?

Eat a low-fat diet

• Try to eat 4 to 6 small meals and snacks each day instead of 3 large meals.
• Choose lean meats.
• Drink or eat non-fat or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, or other milk products each day.
• Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits.
• Eat whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.

How to know if milk is high in lipase?

If your milk smells a little soapy, the cause is often milk that is high in lipase activity.

How to tell if milk is high in lipase?

If your milk smells a little soapy, the cause is often milk that is high in lipase activity.

Does freezing milk immediately reduce lipase?

“First, you can deep freeze your milk immediately after it is expressed/pumped, which helps decrease the lipase activity,”1 she says.

What deactivates lipase?

Immobilized lipase is frequently deactivated by lower alcohols with deactivation being caused by the immiscibility between triglycerides and methanol or ethanol. When the lower alcohol is adsorbed to the immobilized enzyme, the entry of triglycerides is blocked, which causes the reaction to stop.

Will most babies drink high lipase milk?

If you have excess lipase activity, your breast milk is still safe for your baby, and many little ones will drink it without any issues. However, other babies might refuse high lipase breast milk after it has been pumped and stored, which can be incredibly frustrating to busy parents.

How do you get rid of soapy taste?

To remove soap residue or taste, try one of these 3 things: Rub with lemon, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and air dry. OR submerge in 2 cups boiling water and 1 cup white vinegar. Rinse and air dry. OR boil in water for 10 minutes like you were sterilizing a baby bottle and air dry.

How to reduce high lipase?

***Per Lawrence & Lawrence, bile salt-stimulated lipase can also be destroyed by heating the milk at 144.5 F (62.5 C) for one minute (p. 205), or at 163 F (72 C) for up to 15 seconds (p. 771).