I need your suggestions and insights:
    I had a phone inquiry today from a mom nursing her 3 1/2 month old, 2nd
child.  Baby had a preference for the R breast but would take the L with
persuasion.  About 2 mos ago mom noticed the frozen milk smelled foul.  Not
salty or sour, but really foul.  She had been putting the frozen milk into
hot water to defrost it but she said this was true even whether she
defrosted the milk in the ice box or on the counter.  I did give her info on
how to properly defrost frozen milk.
    Two days ago, baby started outright refusing the L breast.  Mom then
checked freshly expressed milk from each side and noticed the difference
between the breasts.  Up to that time she had been pooling her expressed
milk from both breasts.  Gramma tasted it and said it was enough to make her
gag.  Even baby's older sister (6 y.o.) tasted the two and said the L breast
milk was bad but the R breast milk was sweet.  Mom had not observed any
color differences between the samples.
    Mom called her OB who suggested a mammogram & ref'd her to an IBCLC
nearer her home than I am (Tracey Grady, you may get a call), and he would
rely on the LC's information.  Mom visited her GP today on another matter
and he did a breast exam at her request.  He didn't find anything but
suggested she talk to her OB.
    I suggested she ask about an ultrasound first before a mammogram.  She
has coverage thru an HMO and wanted some info on why do both since her OB
wanted to do the mammogram.  I explained how they can show two sides of the
same coin and both can give better information about what's going on in a
lactating breast and just one test can.  One shows solid masses better and
the other shows cystic masses.  The comparison of the two is the best
information for the doctor.  I also told her that there are many things that
can be happening that do not necessarily spell B.C.
    She asked if she was poisoning her baby or giving him cancer.  I told
her there is no evidence I am aware of where any baby got cancer from his
mother's milk.  Because of her concern about the foul taste, I suggested
that for the time being, she nurse on the R breast and pump & dump the L
breast milk to keep up some demand on it until necessary tests can be done
to provide some answers.  She said her father died of cancer and her visit
with her GP today was to check out a mole that grew back after it was
removed.
    Suggestions, please?  Other things I should ask?  Resources for the
doctor?
Thanks for your help.
Phyllis

Phyllis Adamson, BA, IBCLC
Private Practice - Glendale, AZ
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