What causes breast milk to smell?

Understanding the Causes of Breast Milk Smell
Breast milk is often described as having a mild, sweet scent, but various factors can influence its smell, leading to unexpected odors. Understanding these causes is essential for breastfeeding mothers who may notice changes in their milk’s aroma.
Dietary Influences
One of the primary factors affecting the smell of breast milk is a mother’s diet. Foods with strong odors, such as garlic, onions, and certain spices, can impart their scents to breast milk. This phenomenon occurs because the compounds in these foods are absorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently transferred to the milk, resulting in a noticeable change in aroma. While this can be surprising, it is generally considered normal and does not affect the milk’s nutritional quality.
Storage Conditions
The way breast milk is stored can also significantly impact its smell. If milk is not stored properly, it can spoil, leading to a sour or rancid odor reminiscent of spoiled cow’s milk. Proper storage is crucial; breast milk should be refrigerated or frozen promptly after pumping to maintain its freshness. If left at room temperature for too long, the milk can develop an “off” smell, indicating spoilage.
Chemical Changes
Another reason for unusual smells in breast milk can be attributed to chemical changes, particularly oxidation. When breast milk is exposed to air, it can undergo oxidation, which may result in a soapy or metallic smell. This is often linked to high levels of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats in the milk. While some mothers may find this smell concerning, it is typically harmless and does not indicate that the milk is spoiled.
Bacterial Growth
In some cases, the presence of bacteria can alter the smell of breast milk. For instance, certain bacteria, like *Serratia marcescens*, can cause bright pink stains and unusual odors in expressed milk. While this is less common, it highlights the importance of maintaining cleanliness during pumping and storage to prevent bacterial contamination.
Conclusion
In summary, the smell of breast milk can vary due to dietary choices, storage conditions, chemical changes, and bacterial growth. While most mothers find that their milk has a pleasant scent, any significant changes should be monitored. If there are concerns about the smell or quality of breast milk, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to ensure both mother and baby remain healthy.

Is milk high in lipase bad for baby?

There is no evidence that high lipase milk is bad for your baby or that it will create problems in the future.

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.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

What if baby drinks bad 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.

Is it normal for breast milk to smell bad?

Some mums notice that their expressed milk has an ‘off’ or soapy smell and taste, even when they have handled it cleanly. This can be caused by oxidation following the normal action of enzymes in the milk designed to help the baby digest the milk fats. This problem doesn’t make the milk unsafe.

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.

How to tell if milk is high in lipase?

If your milk smells a little soapy, the cause is often milk that is high in lipase activity.

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.

How do you fix high lipase in milk?

How Do I Get Rid of High Lipase In Breastmilk? The only way to eliminate high lipase levels in breastmilk — and stop that off-smell and taste from developing — is to scald it. Lipase can be destroyed at high temperatures, so you’ll need to heat your milk to preserve it.

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.