What do you look for if the breastmilk has gone bad without tasting it?

Question

I have been storing breast milk in freezer for two weeks, but my kid does not seem to drink it at all, but the milk I pump and give her in two days, she drinks well. What could be going on? Also there is yellow layer on top of milk in spite of heating it and it smells normal to me. How do I know if it has gone bad or what is happening. My kid keeps getting upset tummy, is it related to that?

Answer 1

Smell it. It will smell bad (really bad) before it's hazardous for your child.

She may have an upset tummy because she's drinking faster or getting more bubbles from the bottle.

Answer 2

It's normal for your milk to separate; you'll need to swirl it while warming it to mix in the fat layer that you're seeing on top.

You can taste your own milk! It won't hurt you. You might be surprised at how different human milk tastes from cow's milk or formula. It's much sweeter.

It sounds like your baby is okay with milk you've pumped and stored in the fridge, but milk that's been frozen and stored longer she refuses. How are you storing your frozen milk? Glass or hard plastic bottles usually preseve the milk better; if you're using plastic bags, the milk might be absorbing odors from the freezer. It's also possible that you have high lipase activity in your milk. Lipase is a normal enzyme in human milk. Some mothers have a higher-than-usual amount, which starts to digest the fat in the milk, and can cause the milk to smell or taste soapy, sour, or rancid. Often, milk is fine stored in the fridge for a day or so, but starts to be affected after longer storage. Freezing does not halt the lipase activity. If you think this is affecting your milk, you can try to scald the milk right after pumping it (see links below for more info). Then you can store it normally. Unfortunately, there's no way to "fix" the milk you've already stored.

Re. your baby's upset tummy. Does it only occur when she gets a bottle of your milk? Or does it happen at other times? If it's only when she gets a bottle, it might be that she needs additional burping. She's likely to swallow a lot more air with bottle feeding than at the breast. She might also be eating too quickly, especially if you're not using a slow-flow (newborn or Stage 1) nipple. Or perhaps she's overeating; most breastfed babies need only 2-4 ounces of milk every 2-3 hours. Formula fed babies need more and often babies receiving Mom's milk in a bottle are fed too much.

Answer 3

Frozen breast milk will separate, that is normal. What comes to the top and is yellow is the fat content of the pumped milk. Breast milk comes in all colors and consistencies and varies frequently. For the frozen breast milk, place the frozen bag or bottle in a shallow bowl or coffee cup. Run warm water over it until the milk is thawed and at the desired temperature. Just shake it before feeding her and it should be fine. Don't microwave it as it destroys the antibodies and changes the taste. In the refrigerator freezer, the milk should stay good for up to 3 months. In a deep freezer it is good for 6 months. You don't mention how old your baby is. Spitting up is common for both breast milk fed babies as well as formula fed babies. So, if that is what makes you think his/her tummy is upset, unless it is like projectile vomiting, it is OK. My 6 1/2 month old grandson is fed a combination of nursed breast milk, pumped breast milk, formula and also just began solids. He still spits up sometimes and gets gas along with a wide variety of too firm and too loose stools. Babies' digestive systems are going through quite a development process, especially in their first year.

Answer 4

Some of these comments are hurtful. I remember trying to breastfeed my daughter, wondering why it wasn't working and why I had failed as a mother as my newborn screamed and tears streamed down my face. The nurses in the hospital tried to help with latching on, but it never really happened right. I watched the videos and made phone calls, but it never really clicked. She would feed for awhile, then begin crying again. Eventually, I tried formula. Everything changed! She would eat without crying during the feeding. Only then did I realize that she had been screaming because she was hungry. I'm not sure my milk ever came in because I never became engorged or saw any indication that I had milk. I just wanted to say that sometimes choices aren't so easy. I wish I hadn't waited so long to try the formula, actually. How long did my daughter feel hungry? I guess I just don't understand why women have to be so judgemental. It's difficult enough to be a mother; do we have to make everyone else feel like crap to feel like mother-of-the-year?

Answer 5

The yellow layer you see on top is the fat separating from the milk. It's only spoiled if it smells completely rancid. If it smells fine, then it's fine. I agree that her upset tummy might be from the bottle. Try to burp her after every ounce. What bottles to do you use? I use Playtex Drop Ins and they're great at eliminating air bubbles. I've also heard that Avent is great as well.

Answer 6

Breast Milk Yellow After Thawing