Many breastfeeding mothers worry that “my milk stinks“. But why does breast milk smell? Is the odor in breast milk normal?
The content of breast milk can vary according to the needs of the baby at that time and the mother’s eating habits. This change in content can also affect the smell of breast milk.
Does the smell of breast milk affect the baby?
Although each food has a different effect on each mother, in some cases babies may not like the change in taste and smell. In this case, you can discover which food causes a change in milk by trial and error. You should review everything you consume differently or more than usual. Regardless of what the mother eats, some differences in the structure of breast milk can also affect the smell and taste of milk. The most common of these is the soapy odor caused by the intense lipase enzyme in breast milk.
The Cause of Odor in Breast Milk: Lipase Enzyme
Some mothers’ milk may contain more lipase enzyme than normal. Lipase is an enzyme involved in the burning of fats in the body. Too much of this enzyme can cause the fats in breast milk to break down, resulting in a soapy odor. Mothers usually notice the smell when they express their milk to store it. Sometimes they smell this soapy odor as soon as they express their milk, sometimes after thawing frozen breast milk, and they worry that the milk has spoiled. However, in this case, it is usually not possible to say that the milk has spoiled. However, just in case, mothers can boil a small amount of thawed breast milk in a pot to see if it stops. If the milk does not curdle, this odor may be due to the concentration of the enzyme lipase.
There is a practical and critical way to eliminate this odor:
- After expressing milk, you can heat it in a coffee pot until there are tiny bubbles around the edges before freezing.
This technique should be sufficient to inactivate lipase in your milk.
If you have frozen and thawed breast milk on hand;
Some babies may enjoy drinking your milk despite the smell. You can offer this milk to your baby after smelling the different odor, before processing it. If your baby has started supplementary food, you can also add dissolved breast milk to their diet. Despite all the recommendations, we recommend that you discuss any changes in your milk with your breastfeeding specialist or the health professional you are following.