Why is my frozen EBM aways off?

10 replies

racheeeee · 13/04/2006 09:31

I have a nice sized stash of frozen EBM in my freezer and when I go to defrost it, 2 out of 3 times the milk is off. Sometimes is smells rotten, other times it just smells and tastes bad.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? It was frozen right after being pumped, I defrost it under running water...I think that all the rules are being followed. Can you help me with this problem?

OP posts:

beansprout · 13/04/2006 09:39

I had this too. Hours of pumping and a pile of off milk to show for it. Someone on here explained the problem to me. Apparently there is too much of a particular enzyme in our milk which means it starts to break down more quickly than normal. I don't think there is a lot we can do about it though apart from warming the milk to a certain temperature to kill off the enzyme. Trouble is, it is not just a case of boiling it, it has to be a certain temperature. Sorry to be vague, I just wanted you to know that it isn't anything you are doing wrong, it just happens sometimes.

tiktok · 13/04/2006 09:47

Racheeee - what appears to have happened is that extra lipase (an enzyme) in the milk has started to work on the fats in the milk. You can avoid this happening by scalding the milk before you store it. This apparently inactivates the lipase.

It's not a usual thing to happen, and it doesn't mean there is anything wrong.

NotAnOtter · 13/04/2006 09:48

oh no...i have a fresser bursting and pump every day - will it not be good?

tiktok · 13/04/2006 09:51

This gives good info

\link{http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/lipase-expressedmilk.html\ on why milk can go off}

and there is no way of knowing in advance :(

I will say, though, that the problem is really rare. I have spoken to loads of women who have used expressed breastmilk and only a tiny handful have had this happen to them.

You can't give it to the baby, though, as it is definitely 'off'.

FastasleepInTheHellPit · 13/04/2006 09:52

Mine's being doing it too on and off

grr!!

tissy · 13/04/2006 09:58

mine did it occasionally too, and a while back there was a MNer who insisted that her nursery change their fridge because defrosted EBM was off.

puddingz · 15/04/2006 22:43

Hi Racheeeee
Just came across your thread. What you described happened to me once. I expressed and stored my EBM in the fridge as usual but when I opened the container th enext morning the milk smelled awful, sour and off. The only thing I did different was the food I had the previouvs night. I had had a heavily spiced and marinated meat dish which is made at Xmas time. Could it be the foods you are eating? Just a thought! Good Luck

duvet · 16/04/2006 19:54

hey this is interesting I had this problem 2nd time round when expressing milk for dd2, never had a problem 1st time, thought it must be me doing something wrong tiredness etc. now I know, so thanks for asking the question.

wilbur · 16/04/2006 20:01

I read that if you put the milk straight in the freezer after expressing, a thing called sapinification can happen, ie it will taste a bit like soap (although it is still okay to use). If you chill in fridge first, this doesn't happen. Do you think that's what might be happening? Or is your freezer really full and therefore not a low enough temperature?

chipmonkey · 18/04/2006 02:28

i thought I had a problem with this with ds3. Turned out he just didn't like bottles!

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