breastmilk question?

Question

i stored my breastmilk in the fridge for 1 day. the next day it looked like it had a little bit of curdles or something floating on the top. does that mean its bad or is that normal/

Answer 1

lol...NORMAL

all the fat will seperate and float to the top.

Breastmilk is good for up to 7 to 10 days in the fridge (depending on who you ask)...

Check out the Kellymom website for more info on breastmilk and breastfeeding in general...they are a great resource for every mother but particularly breastfeeding mothers.

http://www.kellymom.com/

Here's a chart about storing breastmilk
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

Good Luck and Kudos on Breastfeeding!

Answer 2

Breastmilk separates when you store it in the fridge - meaning the fat rises to the top. That's normal - 'curdles' is not. I guess it curdling would make sense if you let it sit out for a long time before you put it in the fridge, but if you stored it as soon as you pumped, then there's got to be another cause for the funny stuff floating on the top. Did you make sure to rinse all the soap out when you washed the bottle last? Did you maybe forget to wash the bottle at all before you put it away last time? (Sounds dumb, I know, but I've done it!)

This I know for sure - breastmilk does not sour that quickly if it's handled properly.

Answer 3

Hi there. You have been given some very good answers. The only thing I would say is that you should never really shake the milk as that can actually damage it. Swirl it gently to mix the fat back into the milk.
According to the La Leche League human milk can safely be kept at room temperature for up to ten hours because of its remarkable ability to retard the growth of bacteria.
You can keep it on ice in a little cooler at about 60 degrees for at least ten hours. It will keep in your fridge for up to 8 days.
If you have a regular seperate "deep freeze" that stays at a constant zero degrees you can freeze your milk for up to 6 months but if it is just in the top freezer part of your fridge it will only keep for two weeks. The top of a fridge is not really meant to freeze things for any length of time or to freeze things that are not already frozen.
You did not really ask about storing your milk but it seemed to become a topic anyway so I thought I would add what I have been taught.
As far as what you asked, the others are correct, it is just the fat that is in your milk. If you had enough of it you could make "breast butter"....lol. Seriously tho it is good for your baby and a good sign that it is there.
Keep up the good work and congratulations on the important decision to breastfeed your baby. It says some really wonderful things about you and about what kind of a mother you are. You are an intelligent lady and you are a loving, wonderful mother. Good luck honey and remember to take care of yourself. That is the best way to make good milk. When the baby eats you should eat. Even if it is just a snack and remember to drink when the baby drinks. Keep a glass of your favorite beverage near you at all times! Don't forget if you ever worry about your milk supply, the more you nurse the more milk you will have.
Also the biggest labor saving device that there ever was is sleeping with your baby. You will never have to get up for a screaming, crying baby. Keep the baby next to you and all you have to do is let him get to your breast while the two of you sleep. No one has to wake up and scream! All you have to do is change sides and diapers once in awhile.
Write to me if there is anything I can do to help.
Love and Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 4

That's just the milk separating, the fat rising to the top. The milk we drink would do the same thing if it wasn't pasteurized. As soon as you heat the milk up it will come together again. Just make sure you don't switch it to another container before heating the milk or some of the milk fat will stay stuck to the side of the container or bag and that's the most important part your baby needs!

Answer 5

That is normal of breastmilk. It actually contains a high fat content that is good for the baby and so it seperates in the fridge. I do believe (if I remember right) that breastmilk is good in the fridge for 36 hours. If you freeze it then it can keep for a couple of years actually.

Answer 6

Probably normal. The fat will rise to the top and form a layer on it (mine did this too, no problems with milk or baby). Nothing to be concerned about unless it smells/tastes bad, or you have stored it for longer than recommended. You can also freeze it with no problems for longer storage if needed/wanted.

Good luck! (:

Answer 7

That's just the fat separating out; the milk also probably appears watery. After you have warmed it SWIRL it gently and the fat will recombine. DO NOT shake breastmilk.

Also sour breastmilk smells awful, you won't miss it.

Don't Shake the Milk
http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/breastfeeding/shakenot.htm

Answer 8

normal

it's the fat settling at the top

when you warm it swirl it... dont' shake it, it can brake down the molecules and damage the live antibodies...
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html
check this chart for storage guidelines... it actually gives temperatures, so the guess work is taken out... the temp is what matters, so when some say it is good for 7 days in the fridge, others say 10 days... it all depends on the temperature!! same for not refrigerated... can be in a chilly room for a good 10 hours on the counter - but only if it's a heavily air conditioned room, or it's winter and the heat is barely on.....

Answer 9

Sometimes it does look weird, but if you put it in the back of the fridge it is good for 3 days, in the freezer it is good for 3 months.

Answer 10

Its' normal, its just seperating. The fat floats to the top, just like in cows milk (that's how we get cream)

You can kind of see it as the "fore" milk and the "hind" milk, the hind rises.

It naturally occurs, just mix it up, heat and serve.