Breast Milk Question?

Question

It may be TMI, but my breast milk seems to smell a bit "off". It did with my first child, and it does with my newborn, so I know it's not just something I ate. I'm just wondering if any one else has this problem, it's not a very offensive smell, it's just smelly, lol. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/lipas...

Human milk that has truly soured has a very distinct sour taste and odor - much like soured cow's milk. If your milk doesn't smell distinctly sour or rancid, then it should be safe to give to your baby.

If you repeatedly notice that your stored milk doesn't smell or taste fresh, it might help to go through your storage procedures to see if there is something you could do to improve the smell/taste of your milk:

    * Storage containers: Standard glass or plastic bottles (or any type of leak-proof food storage containers) are acceptable for storing mother's milk, as are disposable bottle liners or "mother's milk" bags. The best materials are glass or food-grade polypropylene or polybutylene (hard) plastic. Polyethylene bags (bottle liners) do not preserve nutrients and immune properties as well as glass or hard plastic. (Jones & Tully 2005)

          o If you're using standard plastic bottle liners, instead try using bags specifically designed for storing human milk.

          o If you're storing in plastic, try glass instead.

    * Storage conditions:

          o Do you plan to freeze the milk? If you're not expecting to use refrigerated milk within 5-8 days of expression, then freeze as soon as possible after expression. Use as soon as possible after thawing (but always within 24 hours).

          o Make sure that all packages in your refrigerator or freezer are sealed well, so that your milk cannot absorb odors from other foods. A box of baking soda placed in the refrigerator or freezer may help to absorb odors.

          o Store your milk in the BACK of the refrigerator or freezer, not in the door. Don't store your milk against the wall of a self-defrosting freezer.

          o Is your freezer cold enough? If your freezer keeps ice cream hard, then the temperature is right.

A few mothers find that their refrigerated or frozen milk begins to smell or taste soapy, sour, or even rancid soon after it's stored, even though all storage guidelines have been followed closely. Per Lawrence & Lawrence (p. 781), the speculation is that these mothers have an excess of the enzyme lipase in their milk, which begins to break down the milk fat soon after the milk is expressed. Most babies do not mind a mild change in taste, and the milk is not harmful, but the stronger the taste the more likely that baby will reject it.

Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk and has several known beneficial functions:

    * Lipases help keep milk fat well-mixed (emulsified) with the "whey" portion of the milk, and also keep the fat globules small so that they are easily digestible (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 156).

    * Lipases also help to break down fats in the milk, so that fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A & D, for example) and free fatty acids (which help to protect baby from illness) are easily available to baby (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 156).

    * The primary lipase in human milk, bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL), "has been found to be the major factor inactivating protozoans" (Lawrence & Lawrence, p. 203).

Answer 2

My breast milk only smelled bad once when I ate something off I think. It's probably normal for you. What you eat, or otherwise ingest will go to your breast milk. Maybe it's not one thing you eat, but your diet in general? As long as your baby likes it, and you are eating healthy, then I'm sure it's fine.  

Answer 3

Is it your fresh milk that smells that way? My fresh milk doesn't have a smell but milk that has been frozen for more than a week has a bit of a metallic smell to it. I researched a little and found out about an enzyme in breast milk that can cause it to smell when it is stored. don't know if that is your problem but as long as your baby is happy, healthy, and satisfied I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Answer 4

tottally natural mines was the same and i asked my dr but she said that  its fine also its smells funny because your breast are hidden away behind a bra or a shirt lett them air a bit through the day ok congrats with ya baby!

Answer 5

Mine is like that too LOL ... I always wondered if I was weird hahaha!!!

Answer 6

Mine is like that too! I'm pretty sure we are not the only ones. Breast milk is highy sanitary I have heard.

Answer 7

Yep, I remember it having a weird smell,too.  I guess that's the way it is.

Answer 8

It's scent is caused by whatever is in your diet.  Remember, our milk is way different from cows milk, so don't compare their scents.