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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I'm crying over spilled milk...


Disclaimer: This post will include that about nursing, pumping, and BOOBS...... (I know I know.. gotta write it... who wants you father or father -in-law reading about your breastfeeding adventures)

Let me start this post off by explaining that yes I do breastfeed, and I am very passionate about it.. however I DO NOT get all caught up in the which is best: bottle or breast discussion.. I think everyone must choose what is right for them. Having said that I chose to breastfeed, as im sure you have noticed from reading my other post's that it has not been an easy road, But im sticking with it for now.

I have come pretty close to loosing my milk supply a handful of times when my baby's reflux got really bad and she went on a nursing strike.. I was having a hard time keeping up with the pumping while also trying to keep her calm. So instead of supplementing I used up my entire stash of frozen boobie juice milk. So about 2 months ago I transformed myself into a diary cow  took every opportunity I had to pump and freeze..

I had built up a pretty good amount of milk, I have about 35 bags with 4-6oz in each bag, in my freezer. I was proud of it.. I did that.

I have a real love/hate relationship with my Medela pump 'n style. Its a great double pump that I can even use on the go in the car (um yea I have totally pumped while im driving), however I totally feel like by the time I'm done pumping my lady lumps may drag the floor.

A few days ago I was heating up a bag of thawed milk and realized it smelled horrible, I tried a sip (Don't laugh you know you have tried your too, at least once) and it tasted like sour milk, so I got out another bag, then another.. they all were soured. I had no idea what was going on. At first I thought maybe I had eaten something bad but I opened bags that were stored at different weeks, and got the same result.

So of course I did what any good mothered would do....... I googled it. Because we all know google never lies!!!!! Anyway the search results were loaded with pages about sour breastmilk. All of the pages I was reading said the same thing. The soured smell and taste came from an overproduction on the enzyme Lipase. I  started reading pages from LLL & Kelly mom, on what to do.

Here is what I found out:

Lipase is a naturally occurring enzyme that is found in breastmilk, over time the enzyme will break down the fat in the milk, thus causing a foul, sour, or soapy smell to the milk.
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Some babies will drink bm with excessive lipase in it, but most will not
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Studies are non conclusive as to whether the milk is safe or not for babies to drink after it has turned
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To keep milk from spoiling:
After expressing place in pan on stovetop and scald (until you see little bubbles around the edge.. NOT a boil) the milk then cool, place in freezer bags, then in the freezer.

DO NOT try to scald the milk in the microwave

Scalding the milk destroys some of thimmunological properties and possibly some of the nutrition but not all. 


Now please excuse me while I cry and pour my liquid gold down the drain.




11 comments:

Lindsey said...

I hope you didn't discard it until trying to feed it! My milk had a soapy smell to it but Connor took it just fine.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! This breaks my heart for you. I know how painful it is to have to pour down the drain your precious liquid gold. :( Isn't milk good in the freezer though for 3 months?

Traci said...

Oh no! I did not know that could happen. I have a HUGE freezer stash. If I have to throw that all out I may need to seek therapy.

Oh and I'm totally with you on the whole pumping and driving thing.

Suzy said...

Oh no, I hate wasting my milk even just the smallest amounts! I hope to god my stash of liquid gold isn't spoiled as I have barely touched it and plan to send it to daycare with Charlie!

P.S. Great post, I love the info and the heads up! Us boobie pumping mommy's have to stick together!

californiadreamin said...

Oh man!!!! Yea, that'd be enough to send me into tears. Sorry girly :(

Suzy said...

I forgot to ask..how on earth do you pump and drive? I think that deserves it own post! Do tell!

Mrs Not So Newlywed said...

Wow! Did not know that was possible, I'll have to warn my sister cause she's freezing too now cause her supplies been down so any extra's getting frozen to try to make it to 6 months at least.

Anna said...

Oh NO!!!!!!!!!! I am SO sorry for you! That totally sucks, because it really is liquid gold! After everything else you've been through too...you totally deserve an award for perseverance!

Gretchen said...

I'm right there with you! So glad you ran across my blog, lipase mamas need support :)

I'm working through the process to donate my milk to the Mother's Milk Bank. They take lipase milk without a problem. If you haven't dumped yours yet - google Mother's Milk Bank and start the application! It's kind of the silver lining to having this problem - since my baby won't take it, at least it can help another.

Email me if you have questions - thatmamagretchen@gmail.com

One other thing :) Instead of scalding in a pan on the stove I got a Munchkin bottle warmer. It doesn't have an automatic turn off and works great for scalding. That and a digital thermometer have been a lifesaver for scalding my milk.

Perfectly Imperfect said...

Oh girl.. that is tough! I've never heard of that, but that would be devastating... I'm sorry :(

Jennifer said...

OMG! I had no idea! I was never able to build up a big supply, but I would have never known. My heart breaks for you!