What causes breast milk to be sour?

Understanding the Sour Taste of Breast Milk
Breast milk is often described as having a sweet, mild flavor, but some mothers may notice a sour taste in their expressed milk. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, primarily related to the milk’s composition and the mother’s health.
The Role of Lipase
One of the most common reasons for breast milk to taste sour is the presence of high levels of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats. While lipase is essential for digesting fats in the milk, excessive activity can lead to the production of free fatty acids, which impart a sour or soapy taste to the milk. This is particularly noticeable when milk is stored for a longer period, as the lipase continues to act on the fats even after expression.
Impact of Mastitis
Another significant factor that can alter the taste of breast milk is mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue that can cause inflammation. Mothers experiencing mastitis often report that their milk tastes different, and studies have shown that the taste can indeed change due to the condition. The inflammation can lead to changes in the milk’s composition, potentially resulting in a sour flavor that may deter infants from breastfeeding.
Storage and Handling
The way breast milk is stored and handled can also contribute to its sour taste. If milk is not stored properly—such as being left at room temperature for too long or not refrigerated promptly—it can spoil. Spoiled milk undergoes bacterial fermentation, leading to an increase in acidity and a sour taste. It’s crucial for mothers to follow proper storage guidelines to maintain the quality of their milk.
Dietary Influences
A mother’s diet can also play a role in the taste of her breast milk. Certain foods, such as garlic, onions, or spices, can impart distinct flavors to the milk, which may be perceived as sour or off-putting by some infants. Additionally, if a mother consumes dairy products that are themselves sour or spoiled, this can affect the taste of her milk.
Conclusion
In summary, the sour taste of breast milk can arise from various factors, including high lipase activity, mastitis, improper storage, and dietary choices. Understanding these influences can help mothers manage their milk’s taste and ensure that their infants continue to enjoy breastfeeding. If concerns about the taste persist, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to rule out any underlying issues.

Can breast milk become sour in the breast?

No, breast milk doesn’t spoil inside the breast. It’s produced on demand and maintains its freshness. However, once expressed, it can spoil if not stored properly.

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.

What causes milk to sour on a baby’s stomach?

Babies’ spit-up becomes curdled when milk from breastfeeding or formula mixes with the acidic stomach fluid. Time also plays a role here. Immediate spit-up after feeding will probably look like regular milk. If your little one spits up after some time as passed, it’s more likely to look curdled milk.

Why did my milk turn sour?

When milk turns sour, the bacteria are converting the lactose sugars in milk into energy, with lactic acid as a byproduct. The souring of milk results in the production of sour-tasting lactic acid. In this chemical process, new substances that are lactic acid have been formed.

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 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.

Why does my milk suddenly taste sour?

An acidic flavor in milk may be due to inadequate cleaning or improper cooling, so a check of cleaning procedures and close monitoring of temperatures would be warranted.

What happens if a 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 to fix high lipase milk?

Scald your breastmilk to reduce high lipase.
Heat until it reaches 180 F, you’ll see little bubbles around the edge of the milk in the pan (do not boil!). Once you reach this temp, remove the milk from the heat, cool and store as quickly as possible.

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.