I have searched first the Breastfeeding Answer Book, then the
LACTNET archives and found what little information there is on the
causes and prevention of sour odor/flavor in pumped milk.  The only
information appears to be some anecdotal reports from Dr.
Lawrence's Guide for the Medical Profession, to the effect that the
milk of some mothers seems to develop a sour odor and/or flavor
as the result of the action of lipase.  The only suggestions for
preventing it were to scald the milk immediately upon pumping, or
to freeze it immediately upon pumping, and in either case to protect
it rigorously from any thawing and refreezing, such as might be
caused by using a frost-free refrigerator.

It was also suggested that the sour odor & taste was primarily an
aesthetic problem, and that the milk would be safe to feed to the
baby.  However, I saw no suggestions on how to improve the flavor
of already frozen milk that has developed this bad taste.  The mom I
am trying to help has a considerable supply frozen, and has
discovered that all samples of her milk that she has tried to thaw
and feed to baby have this bad odor and taste.  Her baby has a
discriminating palate and rejects the bad smelling milk.

She is going back to work for three 12-hour shifts per week when
the baby is about six months old, in a little more than a month.  Due
to lack of space at her office, it is unlikely that she will be able find a
private place to pump a complete replacement supply.  She had
hoped to use the supply she has already laid in, and was hoping to
add to, to supply most of the baby's needs while they are apart.

Any suggestions?  Do I have to tell this mother to discard her
already-pumped milk?

Rachael Hamlet
Boobologist Extraordinaire

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