Why wont my baby drink defrosted breast milk?

Understanding Why Your Baby Might Reject Defrosted Breast Milk
It’s a common concern for breastfeeding mothers: after carefully expressing and freezing breast milk, only to find that their baby refuses to drink it once it’s defrosted. This situation can be frustrating and worrisome, but there are several reasons why this might happen.
Lipase Levels in Breast Milk
One of the primary culprits behind a baby’s rejection of defrosted breast milk is lipase, an enzyme naturally present in breast milk that helps break down fats for easier digestion. In some mothers, the levels of lipase can be higher than average. When breast milk is expressed and then frozen, the lipase can start to break down the fats in the milk, leading to changes in taste and smell once it is thawed. This alteration can make the milk less palatable for your baby, causing them to refuse it.
Temperature Sensitivity
Another factor to consider is the temperature of the milk. Babies can be sensitive to the temperature of their milk, and if they are accustomed to drinking fresh milk that is warm or at body temperature, they may find cold or even room-temperature defrosted milk unappealing. While some babies adapt to drinking cold milk, others may prefer it warmed.
Separation of Components
When breast milk is frozen and then thawed, it often separates, with the cream rising to the top. This separation can be visually unappealing and may lead to a perception of the milk being spoiled or less desirable. Gently swirling or warming the milk can help re-emulsify it, but if the baby is already hesitant, they may refuse to drink it altogether.
Tips for Encouraging Your Baby to Drink Defrosted Milk
If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few strategies you can try:
1. Warm the Milk: Gently warm the defrosted milk to body temperature. This can make it more appealing to your baby.

2. Test Different Storage Methods: If lipase is the issue, consider scalding the milk before freezing it. This can deactivate the lipase and help preserve the taste.
3. Experiment with Feeding Methods: Sometimes, changing the bottle or nipple type can make a difference. Babies can be particular about the flow and feel of the nipple.
4. Mix Fresh with Frozen: If possible, try mixing a small amount of fresh milk with the defrosted milk to help mask any off-flavors.
Understanding the reasons behind your baby’s refusal to drink defrosted breast milk can help alleviate some of the stress associated with breastfeeding. By experimenting with different approaches, you may find a solution that works for both you and your little one.

What to do if baby is not drinking breast milk?

What you can do

1. Keep putting your baby to your breast. Try this when your baby shows hunger signs or seems sleepy, and just after your baby wakes up.
2. Give your baby extra loving.
3. Pump or hand express your milk.
4. Try different nursing positions.
5. Nurse in a calm, quiet spot.
6. Keep your routine.
7. Visit your baby’s doctor.

Why does thawed breast milk taste bad?

Have you thawed your frozen breastmilk and noticed that it smells kinda nasty?? Mostly likely, you have high lipase milk. This causes the milk to smell and taste bitter, soapy, our sour. Lipase is a natural enzyme that is in our milk that functions to help breakup the fat for digestion.

How to tell if thawed 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.

How long is breast milk good for after thawing?

Using thawed breastmilk
Milk thawed in the refrigerator must be used within 24 hours. Milk thawed to room temperature or warmer should ideally be used in 1 to 2 hours. If your baby didn’t finish the bottle, the leftover breastmilk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is done feeding.

What is the rule for thawed breast milk?

Use milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (from the time it is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer). Use thawed milk within 2 hours of bringing to room temperature or warming. Never refreeze thawed milk.

Why is my baby refusing thawed breast milk?

Background: Infant refusal to feed previously frozen human milk is thought possibly attributable to lipase, an enzyme that cleaves fatty acids from milk triglycerides potentially changing the taste of the milk.

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.

Will babies reject spoiled breast milk?

“Most of the time, babies don’t notice a small change in taste or smell,” Schindler says. “If your baby refuses defrosted milk, try mixing it with freshly expressed milk.” If you continue to notice a different smell, talk to your baby’s pediatrician or with a lactation consultant.

How to get baby to drink thawed breast milk?

You can start by masking the taste by adding a few drops of alcohol-free vanilla extract to the milk, or mixing the thawed milk with freshly pumped milk. Keep in mind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you cool freshly expressed milk before combining it.

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.