Is sour breast milk safe?

Understanding Sour Breast Milk: Safety and Considerations
The question of whether sour breast milk is safe to consume is a nuanced one, rooted in the understanding of how breast milk behaves and the factors that influence its freshness.
What Causes Breast Milk to Sour?
Breast milk can develop a sour taste or smell due to various factors, primarily related to its storage and handling. When expressed and stored improperly, breast milk can spoil, much like cow’s milk. This spoilage occurs when bacteria proliferate, leading to changes in taste and odor. However, it’s important to note that breast milk does not sour while still in the breast; it remains fresh until expressed.
Is Sour Breast Milk Safe?
The safety of sour breast milk largely depends on its condition. If breast milk has been stored correctly—typically in a refrigerator for up to four days or in a freezer for several months—it is generally safe to use, even if it has developed a slightly sour taste. This sourness can sometimes be attributed to the natural breakdown of lactose into lactic acid, which is not harmful.
However, if the milk has been left out at room temperature for too long or shows signs of spoilage—such as an off smell, curdling, or unusual color—it is best to err on the side of caution and discard it. Consuming spoiled milk can pose health risks, including gastrointestinal distress.
Practical Tips for Handling Breast Milk
To ensure the safety of expressed breast milk, caregivers should follow best practices for storage:
1. Storage Duration: Keep breast milk in the refrigerator for no more than four days and in the freezer for up to six months.
2. Temperature Control: Always store breast milk in a cool environment. If left out at room temperature, it should be used within two hours.
3. Visual and Olfactory Checks: Before using stored breast milk, check for any signs of spoilage. If it smells off or has an unusual texture, it’s safer to discard it.
Conclusion
In summary, while sour breast milk can be safe under certain conditions, it is crucial to assess its freshness based on storage practices and sensory evaluation. Proper handling and storage are key to ensuring that expressed breast milk remains safe for infants. If there is any doubt about the milk’s safety, it is always best to consult healthcare professionals or lactation experts for guidance.

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

High lipase milk has an odor that some people describe as metallic, soapy, or even fishy. The taste might be very different from the smell, or it might also taste bad depending on the severity. If the milk smells rancid or spoiled, that might be a different problem.

Is it OK if milk is a little sour?

If your milk is very old and has started to curdle, become slimy, or grow mold, it’s best to throw it out. Yet, if it’s just a little off and slightly acidic, there are several ways to use it. Try using slightly spoiled milk in one of the following culinary applications: Baked goods.

What can I do with sour breast milk?

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.

How long after drinking spoiled milk will a baby get sick?

Someone might start to feel sick within an hour or two of eating or drinking contaminated food or liquid. Other times, symptoms may not appear for a number of weeks.

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.

How can you tell if breast milk is spoiled?

It will also smell bad, much like spoiled cow’s milk. And, like spoiled cow’s milk, breast milk that’s old will taste sour. (It’s fine to taste your breast milk to check!) Always label your pumped milk with a time and date so you can tell how old it is.

Does breastmilk go rancid?

Expressed human milk may undergo odor changes when stored. Parents sometimes describe expressed or defrosted milk as smelling odd – metallic, soapy, or even rancid.

How do you get rid of sour breast milk?

Eliminate lipase-induced milk changes during freezing – If you find during test freezing that your milk changes smell or taste and your baby won’t drink it, you can scald your fresh milk before you freeze it. Scalding milk after it has been frozen will not correct the odor/taste problem.

Is sour milk safe for babies?

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.