Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Milk going bad

Hi all, a friend of mine is pumping and bottle feeding her baby. She produces much more milk than the baby drinks. I have two questions regarding this...
1. She stated that a board cert. LC told her that there is sometimes an enzyme in breast milk that can cause it to go bad. She said that she occasionally defrosts a bag of milk and it has a different odor and she has to dump it. Is this true? I had never heard of breast milk changing once frozen.
2. This friend has offered her extra breast milk to me. She said that she follows proper sterilization techniques with her equipment, doesn't take meds...etc. I believe that she has been a "clean living" individual all of her life... but can one really know? Should I use the EBM ? If it is okay, then... what a gift!
Punky (1wk 2 days until baby's due date via surrogate)

Hi Punky,

I was briefly online for about 5 seconds and saw this. Although it is true that the lactase enzyme can cause an odor and even a "soapy" taste to breastmilk, it's not generally recommended to toss the milk. What most mothers do is scald the milk and cool before serving which denatures that enzyme.

Gotta run.....

Best,

Punky, what a gft! I had a friend who pumped for me so that I would have a little breast milk for my daughter while I was bringing in my supply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes, it is quite the gift. So... you would feel safe to use it then? We are not bosom buddies, but she seems decent.
As well, regarding scalding... so, I can scald BM after it is frozen if I notice that smell? Would the smell really be noticeable?

Thanks,
Punky (pumping 7oz/24hr after 5 wks)

OMG Punky - your signature says 1 week until your baby is due!!!You must be so excited! Do you know if it is a boy or girl? Good luck with everything...

Yes that is what she means by scalding. If you notice a smell scald it.
If I knew that the person was decent I would use the milk. Is she nursing her own child. If so and she is a decent person chances are she isn't going to take any risks with her own child.
Lenore will be back next week so if she doesn't pop in before that we will ask her if you should scald it all. I didn't with my friends. One time she gave me green milk. LOL she had eaten pistachio pudding and it turned her milk the slightest tint of green. Too bad it was St. Patricks Day.

Lalle- That would be great if you could ask. If it isn't necessary to scald the milk then why bother... Funny about the green milk <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Yes, this mom is breastfeeding her own baby (bottle feeding EBM). You're right she wouldn't risk her own child.

We are very excited about our baby coming. We have a dr's appt tomorrow, so we'll see if there has been any progress since last week. We know that it is a certain gender... I have the room ready in a very gender specific way. If the u/s tech. was wrong, then we'll be doing some speed shopping.

Punky