Breast milk seems to go 'off' after defrosting....Help!

[Balthamos]

I think the title says it all - i have started weaning my 5 month and 3 week old DD and have been freezing BM for her rice flakes. I defrost the milk in the fridge but if i don't use it within about 6 hours of removing it from the freezer it goes off (i guess it is off as it curdles and smells and tastes of a goats milk/bad feet combo - nice!).

What am i doing wrong?

I sterilise the breast pump, bottle and freezing containers, so i'm sure it's not that. Does anyone have any advice? Should i defrost at room temp or in a pot of warm water?

Any help greatly appreciated!

I think you're not supposed to shake it up too much or it goes "soapy" as our bfc said. Just tip it gently.

Hope that helps!

Mine was never any good defrosted in the fridge. I used to defrost quickly in a mug of warm water, which worked much better. I would say definitely don't leave it stood around at room temperature for hours, but that's just instinct really, maybe someone who knows better will be along soon!

I had the same problem as described by Mommalove, so I used to express, scald it right away, leave to cool a little in the fridge and then straight into the freezer. When it was due to be used I would defrost in the fridge over a day and hey presto - no more yucky tasting milk. As I was only expressing and feeding EBM once a day I would heat milk to bubbling in the microwave, about 50 seconds for 5/6oz, so not a faff at all. I should add that microwaving EBM can destroy some of the benefits/properties but as I was only feeding EBM once a day maximum I personally didn't worry overly much about that.

Prior to scalding my milk it was awful tasting when defrosted, soapy and rancid and DS2 refused it. As soon as I began scalding it he went back to guzzling it each night.

HTH

Mommalove and DebsCee - thank so much. It is really reassuring to know that i am not the only person this has happpened to - i was really worrying that there was something wrong with my milk or some kind of germ hive in my freezer! However, i feel kind of dumb that i didn't think to go to kellymom myself - that site is a goldmine of amazing breastfeeding info!!!

Thanks to everyone who has replied. will follow the scalding and see what happens.

I will do Mommalove! I am doing another round of expressing today and will give it a go.

However, i do have one more question now raised by this, since i am using the expressed milk for my DD's solids only (she won't take a bottle or cup so is breastfed the rest of the time) and since the scalded breast milk will lose some of its nutritional value, is there any point in using it? should i continue to breast feed her for her milk feeds but use formula to mix in to her solid feeds? My instinct says stick with breast milk as she has eczema but just a thought if anyone knows...

I had this too, which was a real bummer. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question but will keep an eye on this thread!