Does my breast milk have high lipase?

Understanding and Managing High Lipase in Breast Milk

Breastfeeding is a journey filled with love, learning, and sometimes, surprises. One such surprise for many moms is discovering that their breast milk has a soapy or metallic taste—a sign of high lipase activity. At Mothership Milk, we’re here to support you through every step of your breastfeeding journey, including understanding and managing challenges like this one.

What is Lipase?

Lipase is an enzyme naturally present in breast milk. Its primary role is to break down fats, making them easier for your baby to digest and absorb. This incredible enzyme helps ensure that your baby gets the most nutrition possible from your milk. Lipase is one of the reasons breast milk is considered the "perfect food" for infants.

However, for some moms, the activity of lipase can be higher than average. While it’s not harmful to your baby, high lipase levels can sometimes alter the taste and smell of expressed breast milk when it’s stored. After just a few hours or days in the fridge or freezer, the milk may take on a soapy, metallic, or rancid odor—even though it’s perfectly safe and nutritious.

How High Lipase Affects Breastfeeding

Discovering that your stored breast milk tastes or smells different can be alarming, especially if your baby refuses to drink it. Many moms worry about wasting their precious milk or feel discouraged about building a freezer stash. But don’t worry—you’re not alone, and there are solutions to ensure your baby can enjoy your milk without any fuss.

Solutions for Managing High Lipase

1. Scalding Your Milk

   • One of the most common solutions is to scald your milk immediately after pumping. Heating the milk to about 180°F (just until you see tiny bubbles around the edges) deactivates the lipase enzyme, preventing it from breaking down fats and altering the taste.

   • After scalding, quickly cool the milk and store it as usual. While this process preserves the taste and smell, it may reduce some of the milk’s beneficial properties, so use this option as a last resort.

2. Freeze-Drying Your Breast Milk

   • At Mothership Milk, we offer a game-changing solution for moms dealing with high lipase: freeze-drying. Our process gently removes the moisture from your milk while locking in its nutrients, taste, and smell—no scalding required!

   • Once freeze-dried, your milk is shelf-stable, easy to store, and ready to rehydrate whenever your baby needs it. Freeze-drying not only preserves your milk’s natural state but also provides unparalleled convenience.

3. Mixing Fresh and Stored Milk

   • Some moms find success by mixing a small amount of fresh milk with previously stored milk to dilute the altered taste. This method works well if your baby is only mildly sensitive to the flavor change.

4. Consulting a Lactation Expert

   • If you’re unsure whether high lipase is the issue or if you’re struggling with milk storage, a lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance and support.

Why Freeze-Drying is a Game-Changer

Freeze-drying your breast milk offers a long-term solution to high lipase that doesn’t compromise its integrity. By removing the water content, freeze-drying halts lipase activity entirely, preserving your milk’s original taste and smell. Plus, it eliminates the need for a large freezer stash, freeing up space in your home and simplifying storage for travel or emergencies.

At Mothership Milk, we understand how precious every drop of breast milk is, and we’re committed to helping you preserve it in the best way possible. Whether you’re battling high lipase or just looking for a more convenient storage option, we’re here to support you.

You’ve Got This, Mama

Dealing with high lipase in breast milk can be frustrating, but it’s just another bump in the road that you’re more than capable of overcoming. With the right tools and support, you can continue providing your baby with the best nutrition possible. If you’re ready to explore freeze-drying as a solution, reach out to us at Mothership Milk. We’d love to help you on your breastfeeding journey.

Because every drop matters, and so do you.