How do you get rid of sour breast milk?

Understanding Sour Breast Milk
Sour breast milk can be a concerning issue for breastfeeding mothers, especially when it comes to ensuring the health and well-being of their infants. While breast milk is typically sweet and mild, various factors can lead to changes in its taste and smell, resulting in a sour odor that may make mothers worry about its safety for their babies.
Causes of Sour Breast Milk
One of the primary reasons breast milk may develop a sour smell is due to high lipase levels. Lipase is an enzyme that helps break down fats in the milk, and while it is beneficial for digestion, elevated levels can lead to a soapy or sour odor as the milk sits. This is particularly common in milk that has been stored for a while, especially if it has not been properly cooled or frozen immediately after expression.
Additionally, bacterial growth can occur if the milk is not stored correctly. Breast milk should be refrigerated or frozen promptly after pumping to prevent spoilage. If left at room temperature for too long, bacteria can multiply, leading to sour-smelling milk that is unsafe for consumption.
How to Manage Sour Breast Milk
If you find that your expressed breast milk has developed a sour smell, there are several strategies you can employ to manage the situation:
1. Check Storage Practices: Ensure that you are storing your breast milk correctly. Freshly expressed milk should be refrigerated within two hours or frozen if not used. Always use clean containers and avoid letting the milk sit out at room temperature for extended periods.
2. Scalding the Milk: If you suspect high lipase levels are the cause of the sour smell, you can scald the milk before storing it. This involves heating the milk to just below boiling (around 180°F or 82°C) and then cooling it quickly before refrigerating or freezing. This process can help deactivate the lipase enzyme, preventing the sour odor from developing.
3. Taste Test: Before discarding any milk, consider tasting a small amount. If the milk tastes fine, it may still be safe for your baby, even if it smells sour. Many mothers report that their babies accept milk with a high lipase content without issue.
4. Consult a Lactation Expert: If you are consistently experiencing issues with sour breast milk, it may be beneficial to consult a lactation consultant. They can provide personalized advice and support to help you manage your milk supply and storage practices effectively.
Conclusion
Sour breast milk can be a common concern for breastfeeding mothers, but understanding the causes and implementing proper storage techniques can help mitigate the issue. By taking proactive steps, such as scalding the milk and ensuring proper refrigeration, mothers can continue to provide their infants with the nutritional benefits of breast milk without the worry of spoilage. If problems persist, seeking guidance from a lactation expert can offer additional support and reassurance.

What happens if a baby has sour milk?

Over time, you get more lactic acid than lactose and the milk sours. Since infant stomach lining is thinner and less developed than older humans, the acid can burn and cause reflux issues, leading to vomiting, and sometimes even milk aversion.

Why do I have sour breast?

Women who are having periods or taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) often have breast soreness. This happens when the tissue in their breasts responds to hormones. The most common hormonal breast soreness comes from an increase in the level of oestrogen before a period.

How to know if breast milk is spoiled?

Human breast milk can spoil just like any other kind of milk. This leads to a sharp, sour smell and flavor. There’s no way to save spoiled milk. You should be able to tell it’s spoiled by tasting a sip of it yourself.

What does it mean if breast milk is sour?

Your milk may have excess lipase in it, which can cause stored breastmilk to smell sour or soapy. Lipase is a beneficial enzyme found in breast milk that helps break down milk fat. If your breastmilk has excess lipase, the longer the milk is stored, the stronger the smell becomes.

How do I stop my breast milk from being sour?

Once the milk becomes sour or rancid smelling/tasting, there is no known way to salvage it. However, newly expressed milk can be stored by heating the milk to a scald to inactivate the lipase and stop the process of fat digestion. Scald the milk as soon after expression as possible.

What happens if my baby drinks sour 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 is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

How to tell if breast milk has high 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.

What causes sour breast milk?

The true cause of the sour smell and taste isn’t necessarily the amount of lipase in your milk, but the rate of lipase activity. While some moms can store milk in the refrigerator or freezer for a while with no change in smell, others notice a change after just 24 hours.

What is the 6 6 6 rule for breastmilk?

Or the 6-6-6 rule. Basically, breast milk is good at room temperature for 4 or 6 hours, in the refrigerator for 4 or 6 days, and in the freezer for 4 or 6 or 12 months.