It takes a lot of hard work to build up a stash of breast milk for your little one and I remember feeling so proud of the stash I had accumulated for my little girl until one day when I realized my breast milk smells like eggs! Luckily I discovered this wasn’t as bad as I thought and there was a good explanation behind it and even ways to fix it. Keep reading to find out how I did it without wasting any milk.
Breast Milk Smell Like Eggs- Why?
If you find that your stored breast milk smells like eggs then you might assume this means it’s going off and not safe for consumption, but you may have high lipase in your breastmilk which can cause a sour or soapy smell and taste. You might have also eaten something that is affecting your milk or be taking a new medication that is making your breast milk smell different. Keep reading to find out more.
If My Breast Milk Smells Like Eggs is it Bad?
After a few pumping sessions you will be more than familiar with what is considered normal for your breastmilk, which can make a sudden change in smell and taste extremely concerning and you might question if it is safe enough to feed your little one.
Sometimes your breastmilk may just smell a bit different and leave you wondering what has changed, so let’s take a look at the reasons why your breast milk smells like eggs or seems different than usual.
1. Storage
The way you store your milk will affect its taste, smell, and appearance. You may have noticed this if you have left any expressed milk standing and seen as it separates into layers, which is completely safe and normal.
When you freeze and thaw your breastmilk this can create a different reaction which makes the taste and smell seem different than when it was freshly pumped which is why it is usually suggested you feed your baby fresh milk, but frozen is still a perfectly good option too.
To safely store your breast milk you can leave it at room temperature for up to 4 hours, in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months for safe consumption. If you have thawed breastmilk in the fridge then it can stay for 24 hours, or at room temperature for two hours but once you have thawed frozen milk then you cannot re-freeze it.
2. Medication & Food
The importance of a varied healthy diet continues from pregnancy and still applies during your breastfeeding journey. Your baby will be comforted by the unique smell and taste of your milk which is why they may not seem happy if you consume something that creates a change in flavor.
During breastfeeding, you need to be careful about the medications you take as some may transfer through your milk and hurt your baby. Before taking any medication it is advised you check the information on the levels of each substance that may be passed on.
3. Lipase
Finally, the most common reason why your breast milk smells like eggs is usually linked to higher lipase levels. You won’t notice this straight away in your milk and will usually occur within 12-24 hours as the longer the milk sits in the fridge or freezer, the stronger the smell will be.
Although this is annoying, these enzymes are beneficial for your baby as it helps to make the fat-soluble nutrients available to the baby and makes it easier on your little one’s digestive system.
Strategies To Fix High Lipase Milk (Egg Smelling Breastmilk)
High lipase milk is commonly reported as having a smell similar to eggs, vomit, or slightly metallic but it is still safe for your baby to consume, although you may find they prefer fresh milk instead of frozen because of the effects of high lipase.
If your milk smells or tastes sour or soapy then this doesn’t mean your milk is bad, and there are ways you can prevent it from happening in the future.
‣ Scalding
The term scalding means to heat your freshly expressed breast milk to around 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees celsius) to inactivate the lipase before freezing or refrigerating the milk to prevent the lipase issue from making your breast milk smell like eggs.
Scalding milk that has already started to change and tastes sour or soapy won’t fix the issue unfortunately so if you know your milk has high lipase then prevention is key. Scaling may lower the nutrient levels and destroy some antibodies in the milk, but as long as all the milk your baby consumes isn’t scalded you should be fine.
If you have a stash of milk with high lipase this doesn’t mean it needs to be wasted though, you can mix it with fresh milk to try and mask the smell or taste that is making your baby reject their milk. Alternatively, you could donate the milk to a milk bank where it could be fed through a tube and still retain its nutritional value.
‣ Using Fresh Milk
If you want to avoid the difficulty of having to scald your milk then you could start a pumping routine where your baby only consumes fresh milk before it turns into high lipase milk.
You can store your milk in the fridge and test it every few hours to see at what point it turns and has a different smell or taste to it, and then you will know how soon after pumping your milk it will need to be consumed.
Spotting Spoiled Breastmilk
You may be wondering if your breast milk smells like rotten eggs, is it bad or can my baby drink it? Breast milk can take on a different smell for several reasons including dietary changes, medication, or high lipase. As long as your breast milk has been safely stored and collected then it should be safe for your baby to drink.
If your breast milk smells like boiled eggs this can as a result of excessive lipase as to why your stored breast milk smells like eggs. It is still safe for your baby to drink but they may not like the taste of it. You can try mixing it with another batch of fresh milk to eliminate this smell.
Unfortunately, your breastmilk can go bad and you need to be cautious that you aren’t giving your baby spoiled milk.
The appearance of your milk will be the first indicator of whether it is safe to consume or not. You may be shocked when you first see that your milk has separated into layers, but this is completely normal as the rich fatty milk rises to the top and the watery hydrating content goes to the bottom.
In milk that is safe to drink, a quick swirl will easily re-mix your milk to its usual texture, however, if your milk is bad then you may see that there are chunks in your milk that will not mix down, this is a sign your milk has gone bad.
If your breast milk has not been stored properly according to the safety recommendations for its location then it will be spoiled too, even if it seems fine in appearance. Thawed breastmilk should be used within 24hrs of being placed in the refrigerator, or within two hours at room temperature.
Freshly expressed milk lasts much longer and can be used for up to 4-6hrs at room temperature between 60-70°F, or 3 days in the refrigerator at 39°F or cooler but you should always trust your instinct when it comes to feeding your baby. If you think your milk is not suitable for your baby and may have gone off, then don’t use it as this could cause serious health issues in your little one.
You can always contact a Breastfeeding counselor to get more help and information about breast milk storage and how to easily exclusively pump for your baby.
Wrapping Up
Now you know the answer to the question you’ve been asking yourself, “breast milk smells like eggs, why?” It can be disheartening to think that the breast milk you spent so long pumping is going to waste if it develops a funny smell or taste, but there are several reasons why your milk is doing this.
High lipase is a common issue for many women who have expressed their milk and causes their breast milk to smell like eggs but by following careful storage methods and scalding your milk you can prevent the stress of worrying about if your milk is safe to feed your baby.
The best way to avoid the stress of worrying if your milk is safe to consume is by feeding your baby freshly expressed milk whenever possible by using the proper storage methods to manage the situation and avoid a premature end to your breastfeeding journey.
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