Why does my breast milk smell metallic after freezing?

Understanding the Metallic Smell of Frozen Breast Milk
For many breastfeeding mothers, the experience of expressing and storing breast milk is a vital part of nurturing their infants. However, some may notice that their breast milk develops a metallic smell after being frozen, raising concerns about its safety and quality. This phenomenon is primarily linked to the activity of lipase, an enzyme naturally present in human milk.
The Role of Lipase
Lipase is responsible for breaking down fats in breast milk, which is essential for the baby’s digestion and absorption of nutrients. However, when breast milk is stored, particularly if it is frozen, the activity of lipase can continue, albeit at a reduced rate. This ongoing enzymatic action can lead to the breakdown of fats into free fatty acids, which may produce a soapy or metallic odor.
In some cases, mothers may have high lipase levels, which means that the enzyme breaks down fats more rapidly than usual. This excessive activity can result in breast milk that not only smells metallic but may also taste off-putting to the baby. Importantly, while the smell and taste may be altered, the nutritional quality of the milk remains intact.
Managing the Metallic Smell
For mothers concerned about the metallic smell of their frozen breast milk, there are a few strategies to consider. One effective method is heat treating the milk before freezing it. This involves scalding the milk to deactivate the lipase enzymes, thereby preventing them from breaking down fats during storage. Although this process can be cumbersome, many mothers find it worthwhile to ensure their milk retains a more palatable flavor and aroma for their infants.
Another approach is to store the milk in airtight containers to minimize exposure to air, which can also contribute to changes in smell and taste.
Conclusion
In summary, the metallic smell of frozen breast milk is primarily due to the activity of lipase, which continues to break down fats even when the milk is frozen. While this can lead to changes in aroma and taste, it does not compromise the milk’s nutritional value. For mothers looking to mitigate this issue, heat treating the milk before freezing and ensuring proper storage can be effective solutions. Understanding these factors can help mothers feel more confident in the quality of the milk they provide to their babies.

Can my baby drink high lipase milk?

WHAT CAN I do about it? First thing’s first, having high lipase milk does not mean your milk is “bad”! Some babies take high lipase milk without thought. Yes, it is perfectly safe for babies to drink high lipase milk.

Why does my frozen breastmilk smell like metal?

As the breastmilk sits in cool temperatures (fridge or freezer), the lipase starts to break down the fat in the milk. The longer it sits, the more you may start to notice the soapy or metallic smell/taste.

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.

How do you know if frozen breast milk is bad?

The milk is likely to have a very distinctive sour smell and may even taste metallic, like soap or bitter. If it smells sour, it is very likely because of the lipase enzyme’s action on the fat content of breast milk.

What does spoiled breast milk smell like?

If your milk smells “sour” or “rancid” this can be from oxidation. These changes may occur shortly after the milk is expressed, or it may occur after the expressed milk is frozen and then defrosted.

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.

Does freezing damage breast milk?

In neonatal units and human milk banks freezing breastmilk at less than –20°C is the choice for preserving it. Scientific evidence in relation to the loss of nutritional quality during freezing is rare.

Does freezing breast milk change the smell?

What are you storing your milk in? Sometimes the breastmilk storage bags can let in smells from the freezer, which may make your milk smell less than desirable. Try storing in air-tight glass containers to see if this helps.

Why does my breast milk smell chemically?

Certain chemical reactions.
Sometimes your milk can smell and taste sour. This can happen very quickly if you have certain additives in your diet — like polyunsaturated and rancid fats or water rich in copper and iron ions.

How to tell if breast milk has freezer burn?

If you store breast milk in the freezer as you should, you may have noticed ice crystals forming in the milk. When you thaw it, you catch a whiff of a sour odor. Does this mean the milk has gone bad? No, this is just the sign of freezer burn in your breast milk.