Does high lipase milk taste like vomit?

Understanding High Lipase Milk
High lipase milk is a condition that can affect breast milk, particularly for mothers who pump and store their milk. Lipase is an enzyme that helps break down fats, and while it is naturally present in breast milk, excessive levels can lead to significant changes in taste and smell.
The Taste and Smell Profile
Mothers who experience high lipase milk often report that their milk develops a distinctive and unpleasant taste, which can be reminiscent of metal, soap, or even vomit. This transformation can occur relatively quickly, sometimes within just a few hours or days after pumping and storing the milk. The most notable descriptors used by mothers include a sour or soapy flavor, which can make the milk unappealing not only to the mother but also to the baby, who may refuse to drink it.
The Vomit Comparison
Specifically addressing the question of whether high lipase milk tastes like vomit, many mothers have indeed noted that the flavor can evoke such a comparison. In discussions on platforms like Reddit, users have shared experiences where defrosted breast milk tasted distinctly like vomit, particularly when mixed with other foods. This can be alarming for new mothers, as the taste can be unexpected and distressing.
Managing High Lipase Milk
For mothers who suspect they have high lipase milk, there are strategies to mitigate the issue. One common approach is to scald the milk before storing it. This process involves heating the milk to just below boiling, which can deactivate the lipase enzyme and help preserve the milk’s original taste. Additionally, using fresh milk rather than previously frozen milk can also help maintain a more palatable flavor.
Conclusion
In summary, high lipase milk can indeed taste unpleasant, with many mothers likening it to flavors associated with vomit or other off-putting tastes. This condition highlights the importance of understanding how storage and handling can affect breast milk, ensuring that both mothers and babies have a positive feeding experience.

How to tell the difference between high lipase and spoiled milk?

You can tell if yours has it by smelling and/or tasting it. If it’s soapy or sour, it has high lipase. I also tasted a tiny bit of my frozen milk next to a tiny bit of fresh, and the flavor difference was super obvious.

What happens if a baby drinks bad breast milk?

Can babies get sick from old breast milk? If your baby has had spoiled breast milk, they’ll likely let you know. They may throw up, or have an upset stomach, diarrhea or fever. It’s important to call your pediatrician if you think your baby may be sick from having spoiled breast milk.

What does high lipase milk taste like?

Yes, breastmilk that has high lipase will taste soapy/metalic/gross, but for some women it happens over a certain amount of time (anywhere from 12-48+ hours), or can happen when freezing breastmilk.

What are the symptoms of a high lipase level?

What are the symptoms of high lipase? Symptoms depend on what’s causing your high lipase. For example, the most common symptom of acute pancreatitis is abdominal pain that radiates to your lower back. Other symptoms, like fever and nausea, may also signal a condition associated with high lipase levels.

Do all babies reject high lipase milk?

No — absolutely not! High lipase milk is just as nutritious and safe as any other breast milk. The only difference is in its taste and smell, which some babies might notice, leading them to refuse bottles, while others may not.

How to tell if your breast milk is high in lipase?

The longer milk is kept at room temperature or even in the refrigerator before being frozen, the more lipase activity it will have. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but is not harmful to the baby.

Is it OK for baby to drink high lipase milk?

Having high lipase is not dangerous and the breastmilk is still perfectly fine for baby to drink, but many babies will reject this milk because they don’t like the taste.

How to get rid of high lipase in breastmilk?

***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).

Can high lipase milk make baby sick?

No — absolutely not! High lipase milk is just as nutritious and safe as any other breast milk. The only difference is in its taste and smell, which some babies might notice, leading them to refuse bottles, while others may not. There is no evidence to suggest that high lipase milk causes any digestive issues in babies.

What does bad breast milk taste like?

The milk is likely to have a very distinctive sour smell and may even taste metallic, like soap or bitter. If it smells sour, it is very likely because of the lipase enzyme’s action on the fat content of breast milk.