does breast milk smell?

Question

i just had a baby 2 weeks ago but i barely breast feed him, anyway i use nursing pads even though i dont leak much breast milk and it smells really weird...it smells kind of nasty is that normal??

Answer 1

Breastmilk doesn't have a foul odor straight from, well, the source, but once it hits the pads, it's milk like any other and will eventually start to stink. Think of what happens if you spill milk on something and wait to clean it, it reeks! So probably change them more often, or, breast feed more often and then there might not be an issue of leaking at all. I only had to wear pads once or twice when my milk first came in, and then when it was drying up. You want something that smells seriously foul? Take a whiff of formula. EEWW! Stinks in the can, stinks in the bottle, smells seriously nasty coming back out of either end of baby! LOL Breastmilk is a lott easier on the nose no matter which way you look at it. If I have a choice, I don't think I'll ever give formula to my future children, something smells that bad can't be as good as something that doesn't...lol.
BTW, definitely DO NOT take up one of the earlier suggestions to 'thoroughly' wash yourself after nursing. It will only cause irritation, and some smelly soaps may actually make your baby not want to nurse from you anymore.

Answer 2

Breast Milk Smell

Answer 3

If your nursing pads aren't crusty then the smell is most likely from a small infection in the breast. You should call the doctor to be sure. In the meantime, wash your breasts before you nurse the baby and nurse often. If there is a small infection, your baby has already been exposed and as your body fights the infection the antibodies will pass to the baby making sure that the baby can fight it too.
Check the baby's mouth, you are looking for white patches. This means that you and the baby are sharing a yeast infection (this is really fairly common and nothing to worry about). The doctor will ask you to do this so it will be easier to check before you call. Also check the baby's diaper area for little red bumps that look like a messed up diaper rash. This is a yeast infection also and will help the doctor.
If the baby has the white spots, you should continue to nurse and nurse often, this will help you both.

Answer 4

Most of our body fluids have odor...some worse than others. See the link below for information on breast feeding. The milk will have odors in accordance with the foods you eat...i.e. onions, garlic, and herbs will cause a different smell and taste of your milk. Try a diet with fewer chemical preservatives, artificial colors, and flavorings...fresh fruits and vegetables with plain (less seasoned) meats and breads along with your dairy intake should produce a sweeter smelling and tasting milk for your infant. Breast feeding is an important part of nurturing your baby. As the baby grows, it will want more than it does initially. I also suggest the purchase or procurement of a breast pump to increase your production.

See the link at the medical source below:

Problems with breast feeding are excerpted from the source below:



Maternal complications: Common maternal complications include breast engorgement, sore nipples, plugged ducts, mastitis, and anxiety.

Answer 5

To be honest, after I had my baby and I was leaking breast milk everywhere, I found that once dried, it smelled of... crackers.

Surprised me, to say the least!

The only time the smell really offended my nose was when breast milk would pool in the folds of his neck and turn cheesy. I know, should have bathed him more often... But the past is the past.

Hope that helps, lol.

Answer 6

It could be your natural milk smell or maybe something in your diet. You could also have an infection or problem.Call your dr. before feeding the baby.It does give the baby a softer stool than formula. I hope it works out for you to breastfeed since it is so much better and more natural and guards against so many health issues for the baby! I wasn't able to and tried with 2 babies.Best wishes!

Answer 7

DEAR IT IS THE NURSING PADS NOT THE BREAST MILK THAT SMELLS BUT YOU NEED TO CHANGE THEM MORE THEN ONCE A DAY AND THEN THEY WILL NOT SMELL AT ALL OK THE PADS GIVE OF A ODER JUST LIKE IF YOU DO NOT WASH YOU HAIR ARE TAKE A BATH ARE ANY THING NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE HURTFUL I WAS NOT RAISED THAT AWAY OK EVERY ONE PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND OK WHEN I POST ON HERE JUST WANT TO HELP WITH HEALTH STUFF I KNOW A LOT ABOUT OK.

Answer 8

regular flowing breast milk has a sweet milky kind of smell. the breast pads might smell weird depending on how long you wore them.

Answer 9

It should not smell bad! If your breastmilk smells bad, is an odd color (it should be whitish blue), or if your breasts hurt and / or are hot you need to see a doctor right away.

Answer 10

mine smelled sweet but the smell was not really that noticeable id call a nurse and ask to be safe