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Is it okay for babies to drink high lipase milk?

Understanding High Lipase Milk for Babies
When it comes to infant nutrition, the safety and suitability of breast milk are paramount. A common concern among breastfeeding mothers is the presence of high lipase in their milk. This enzyme, which plays a crucial role in breaking down fats, can alter the taste and smell of stored breast milk. However, the question remains: is it safe for babies to consume high lipase milk?
The Safety of High Lipase Milk
The consensus among experts is reassuring. High lipase milk is not harmful to babies. In fact, the milk produced by mothers with high lipase levels is still perfectly safe for infants to drink. According to various sources, there is no evidence suggesting that high lipase milk poses any risks to a baby’s health or development. Dr. Chang emphasizes that while the excess lipase can change the milk’s taste, it does not make it harmful.
Moreover, the milk that a baby receives directly from breastfeeding can also contain high lipase, meaning that this is a natural occurrence and not something to be overly concerned about.
Taste and Acceptance Issues
While high lipase milk is safe, some babies may refuse to drink it due to its altered taste and smell, which can develop when the milk is stored for a period of time. This change can lead to a soapy or sour flavor, which might deter some infants from consuming it. However, not all babies are sensitive to these changes; many will drink high lipase milk without any issues.
For mothers facing challenges with their babies rejecting high lipase milk, there are strategies to encourage acceptance. These can include warming the milk or mixing it with fresh milk to mask the taste.
Conclusion
In summary, high lipase milk is safe for babies to consume. While it may have a different taste that some infants might not prefer, it does not pose any health risks. Mothers can feel confident in using their stored milk, knowing that it remains a nutritious option for their little ones. If taste becomes an issue, there are practical solutions to help babies accept this perfectly safe milk.

How to tell if milk is high in lipase?

The easiest way to tell if it’s lipase is to do a sniff/taste test every few hours. If it’s gradually getting more soapy/metallic over the course of a day or so, it’s most likely lipase.

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.

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 effect does lipase have on milk?

The total lipase activity in raw milk is sufficient to cause rapid hydrolysis of a large proportion of the fat. However, in reality this does not happen, because the lipase is prevented from accessing the fat by the milkfat globule membrane. Physical damage to this membrane in raw milk initiates lipolysis.

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.

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.

Can babies drink high lipase milk?

Many babies don’t reject high lipase milk, but what should you do If you suspect that your baby does have a harder time drinking it because of the smell or taste? Try mixing it with some freshly pumped or expressed milk.

Is high lipase bad?

It’s normal to have a small amount of lipase in your blood. But if the cells of your pancreas are damaged, they will release larger amounts of lipase. So high levels of lipase in your blood may mean you have pancreatitis, (an inflamed, swollen pancreas) or another type of pancreatic disease.

How to bring lipase levels down?

How to lower lipase levels

  1. intravenous fluids.
  2. medications to manage pain.
  3. not eating for a recommended period and then starting a bland diet.

What does lipase do for babies?

Lipase is an important enzyme that helps your baby break down breast milk so that they can digest and absorb the essential nutrients contained in it. Everyone produces lipase. This enzyme is normally produced in the pancreas but has also been found in the digestive tract of newborn babies.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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