Funny Milk

Have you encountered mothers who produced milk that looked or smelled unusual? Often mothers are concerned and ask questions about this. Breastmilk can emit odors from foods the mother has eaten, most notably garlic. In fact, research conducted by Mennella and Beauchamp (1991) showed that babies preferred the garlic laced breastmilk and consumed more than "unflavored" milk.

Milk from mothers who exercise prior to breastfeeding can contain "off" flavors due to the lactic acid that builds in the body during vigorous exercises which is passed into the breastmilk. Although it does not cause the baby any problem, the baby may not be eager to nurse right after exercise.

Alcohol also can flavor the milk. Studies have shown that babies consumed less milk containing alcohol then not. Alcohol consumption should be avoided or limited due to the alcohol that is passed to the baby.

Milk can be colored by the mother's diet as well. Spinach and a high intake of green leafy vegetables can make breastmilk greenish, beets can give breastmilk a pink cast and carrots and squash can make it yellowish.

"Rusty pipe syndrome" is a brownish color in breastmilk that occurs most often at the onset of lactation and disapates over time. The coloration is due to minute amounts of blood from broken capillaries in the breast.

Milk can have "clumps" floating in it or a layering at the top. This accumulated fat and can be dispersed back into suspension by gentle agitation of the milk.

Occasionally women report milk that smells "spoiled" after only a short period of storage.  The cause of this is unknown (though may be related to an unusally  fast break down of milk fats) when the milk is stored in recommended containers and for limited periods of time.  Suggestions may include use of glass storage containers, freezing at the coldest temperature possible and keeping the milk away from odor releasing foods in the refrigerator or freezer.

References:

Lawrence, R. (1998). Breastfeeding a Guide for the Medical Profession. Third Edition. St Louis:Mosby.

Little, R., Anderson, K., Ervin, D., Worthington-Roberts, B., Sterling, C. Maternal alcohol use during breastfeeding and infant mental and motor development at one year. The New England Journal of Medicine, 321(7), 425-430.

Manella, J. A., & Beauchamp, G. K. (1991). The transfer of alcohol to human milk. Effects on flavor and the infant's behavior. The New England Journal of Medicine, 325(14), 981- 985.

Mannella, J. A. & Beauchamp, G. K. (1991). Maternal diet alters the sensory qualities of human milk and the nursling's behavior. Pediatrics, 88(4), 737-744.

Riorden, J., & Auerbach, K. (1998). Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Second Edition.  Boston:Jones and Bartlett.

Please remember that this is general breastfeeding information only and does not replace the  specific advice of a health care practitioner.