How to get baby to drink high lipase milk?

Understanding High Lipase Milk
High lipase milk can be a source of concern for breastfeeding mothers, particularly when their babies refuse to drink pumped milk. Lipase is an enzyme that helps break down fats in breast milk, but when present in excess, it can alter the milk’s taste and smell, often leading to a soapy or metallic flavor that many infants find unpalatable. This can be particularly frustrating for mothers who have worked hard to build a stash of breast milk, only to find their little ones turning their noses up at it.
Identifying the Problem
If you suspect that your breast milk has high lipase levels, you might notice that your stored milk smells off or has an unusual taste. This can happen after the milk has been refrigerated or frozen, as the lipase continues to act on the fats even after pumping. The key signs include a soapy or sour smell, which can lead to your baby refusing to drink the milk.
Strategies to Encourage Drinking
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to help your baby accept high lipase milk:
1. Freshly Pumped Milk: One of the simplest solutions is to offer freshly pumped milk. The taste and smell are less likely to be affected by lipase activity if the milk is consumed soon after pumping.
2. Heat Treatment: Briefly heating the milk can deactivate the lipase enzyme. You can do this by warming the milk in a pot of hot water or using a bottle warmer. Just be careful not to overheat it, as excessive heat can destroy some of the beneficial nutrients in breast milk.
3. Flavoring the Milk: Adding a small amount of vanilla extract can mask the off-putting taste of high lipase milk. This method has been reported by some mothers as effective in making the milk more palatable for their babies.
4. Mixing with Fresh Milk: If your baby is still hesitant, consider mixing high lipase milk with freshly pumped milk. This can help ease the transition and make the taste more acceptable.
5. Experiment with Feeding Techniques: Sometimes, the way milk is offered can make a difference. Try different bottles or nipples, as some babies may prefer certain shapes or materials that feel more comfortable to them.
Conclusion
Navigating the challenges of high lipase milk can be daunting, but with a few adjustments and creative solutions, you can help your baby enjoy every drop of your precious breast milk. Remember, the nutritional value remains intact despite the changes in taste, so with patience and experimentation, you can find a method that works for both you and your little one.

Why do babies refuse frozen breast milk?

Background: Infant refusal to feed previously frozen human milk is thought possibly attributable to lipase, an enzyme that cleaves fatty acids from milk triglycerides potentially changing the taste of the milk.

Can you mix high lipase milk with formula?

If your baby is used to formula, you can try mixing thawed high lipase breast milk with formula in increasing amounts. This can help babies get accustomed to the taste of the stored milk.

How do you fix high lipase in breast milk?

Scald Your High Lipase Breast Milk: Gently heating your milk can deactivate the lipase enzyme however, scaling could reduce some of the beneficial nutrients and gut bacteria you do want to preserve in your breast milk.

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).

How to fix high lipase in breastmilk?

Scald Your High Lipase Breast Milk: Gently heating your milk can deactivate the lipase enzyme however, scaling could reduce some of the beneficial nutrients and gut bacteria you do want to preserve in your breast milk.

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.

How do I get my baby to drink my frozen breast milk?

Mix defrosted frozen milk with freshly pumped milk for a feeding (just be sure they are at the same temperature before combining). If the baby is eating solids, use the “soapy” smelling milk to mix in with cereal or other foods to mask the peculiar smell or taste.

Can you add vanilla to high lipase breastmilk?

You can start by masking the taste by adding a few drops of alcohol-free vanilla extract to the milk, or mixing the thawed milk with freshly pumped milk. Keep in mind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you cool freshly expressed milk before combining it.

Do all babies reject high lipase milk?

Not all babies refuse high lipase milk and it is perfectly okay for them to drink it! The milk is still good and it still has all those good nutrients baby needs! There is no reason to throw it out if your baby is willing to take it.

What happens if lipase is too high?

Higher than normal levels of lipase mean that you have a problem with your pancreas. If your blood has 3 to 10 times the normal level of lipase, then it’s likely that you have acute pancreatitis. High lipase levels also mean you may have kidney failure, cirrhosis, or a bowel problem.