High lipase breastmilk
WHAT IS HIGH LIPASE MILK?
Lipase is a naturally occurring enzyme found in breastmilk. High lipase milk does not have MORE lipase, but the lipase ACTIVITY is higher, meaning the lipase is working faster to break down the fat content in the milk, leading to a soapy, metallic or fishy smell and taste.
This rate of breakdown is faster for some, resulting in a change in taste/smell within hours, while for others it takes days. This breakdown also occurs in frozen milk.
My biggest recommendation: check your milk for high lipase activity EARLY ON!
HOW DO YOU CHECK YOUR MILK FOR HIGH LIPASE?
Check the smell/taste of breastmilk after it has been in the fridge for a few days
Thaw a bag of your breastmilk early on and do a smell/taste test (freeze it for at least a week first), see if baby will take it. I was freezing my breastmilk for 4+ months before thawing any of the bags, and I wish I had thawed one much sooner.
IS HIGH LIPASE MILK SAFE FOR BABY?
YES! The problem comes with baby refusing the milk due to altered taste/smell. Some babies (especially those exposed early on) will drink high lipase milk with no problem! So if you have high lipase milk and baby drinks it just fine, you don't need to change anything!
If you are able to find out early on that you do have high lipase milk, WHAT’S NEXT?
Early exposure to baby, giving them thawed milk early on and consistently to get them used to the taste
Freeze breastmilk immediately after pumping
Scalding breastmilk on the stove BEFORE freezing to deactivate lipase activity (this can destroy some nutrients in breastmilk) I personally do not choose to utilize this option, I feel that further research is needed on the impact of scalding on breastmilk
I HAVE A FREEZER FULL OF HIGH LIPASE MILK. WHAT DO I DO?
You can try:
Mixing thawed milk with freshly expressed breastmilk (or whole milk if they are over 1 year old)
Adding a drop on non-alcoholic vanilla to the thawed milk (check with pediatrician first)
Freeze drying your stash (many moms have said this got rid of the high lipase taste/smell)
If baby still refuses, you can donate your milk, add it to baby’s baths, use it on their skin to soothe minor irritations, or use it in their food when starting solids!
