Lactic Acid in Breast Milk

[Demented]

Wonder if anyone can help me. I have a seven week old baby and have just returned to my exercise classes. My aerobics instructor made a brief mention yesterday of lactic acid in my milk (although she said I had probably not done enough yesterday to get it). She explained that I may end up with this in my milk and my baby would not like it, would probably spit me out. Does anyone know what happens when you get this, does it just go away by itself if you wait a little while or will I have to express some to get rid of it. I will ask the instructor but she is on holiday next week and I am concerned about what to do if it happens.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Hope this is helpful M x

www.parentsplace.com/expert/lactation/ qas/0,10338,166387_106123,00.html

The link isn't working, so a cut & paste job here for you:

Two studies (Wallace, et al, 1991 and 1992) were published regarding refusal of breastfeeding following strenuous exercise. Lactic acid levels in breastmilk were found to increase following 30 minutes of aerobic activity. The increased lactic acid levels were reported to give a bitter sour taste to the normally sweet breastmilk. Babies in the study were less likely to accept samples of breastmilk with high levels of lactic acid (that were offered by dropper). Lactic acid levels were reported to remain elevated in milk for as long as 90 minutes.

The studies I have referred to were small. The 1991 study involved seven women and the 1992 study, 26 women. In my opinion, more research is needed in this area.

Many women successfully combine moderate aerobic exercise with breastfeeding. Their babies nurse contently immediately following exercise. If your baby refuses to nurse following your workout, the following suggestions have been adapted from the book, Breastfeeding - A Guide for the Medical Profession, Ruth Lawrence, MD, 1994:

Shower or wash perspiration from your breasts;
Hand express a few teaspoons of milk from each breast and discard;
If your baby refuses to nurse, puckering his face, you can feed him with previously expressed breastmilk.
Best wishes with your exercise program!
Warmly,
Debbi

I have a few friends who returned to aerobic exercise classes whilst feeding with no problems. I wouldn't get hung up about it - it is one of those theoretical problems that may never happen. Enjoy your classes and your feeding

Thanks Mopsy and Mears, I knew someone on Mumsnet would have the answers. Will try not to worry about it but think I will make sure there is expressed milk in the freezer just in case, glad to hear it probably won't happen though. The info was very interesting, thanks Mopsy.

A more recent study has come up with no sign of babies rejecting the milk of exercising mothers. Somewhere else I feel sure I saw a study of dieting nursing mothers (I'm sure it was a sensible diet, though, no faddy regime), and the babies didn't seem to have problems gaining weight either.

FWIW.... I jogged all the way thru 2 pregnancies and started again 10-14 days post partum... no reluctance on part of either baby to feed.

I'd never heard or even thought about this - but I suppose the babies would also get 'happy' hormones like seratonin once you've exercised too

Good news Zebra, well done you for jogging 10-14 days after birth. Did another class on Monday night, the instructor included some jogging about and jumping, my pelvic floor obviously needs a little attention you must have been doing your exercises! Not sure if I am ready to join the ranks of dieting mothers yet, large consumption of chocolate in the last two days due to a 5am, followed by a 4am wake up (baby not going back to sleep after these feeds, grrrr), chocolate probably isn't the answer but it was nice!

Thanks again for the info, I don't feel so concerned about stepping the pace up a bit as my fitness increases and the tiredness wears off a bit (if it ever does)!

Bundle, just thinking about the happy hormones, don't know if it was just coincidence but DS2 seemed very happy and settled on Monday after the class, could be something in it!

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