High Lipase Milk Explained

Society tends to paint breastfeeding as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and baby. For some mothers, it can be the most beautiful experience right off the bat. For many mothers, breastfeeding isn’t as easy as initially expected. In the immediate postpartum, discomfort and other breastfeeding issues can leave you feeling emotional, raw, and vulnerable. One of the issues mothers might encounter is high lipase milk. But what is high lipase milk, how do you know if you have it, and what can be done about it?

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What is High Lipase Milk?

Lipase is an enzyme in all breast milk and helps babies digest and absorb milk’s nutrients. People of all ages utilize lipase to break down fats from the foods they eat. According to La Leche League, the benefits of lipase include:

• Supporting an infant’s ability to digest fats,
• Breaking down triglycerides to release fat-soluble nutrients,
• Releasing free fatty acids that provide immunological effects, and
• Protecting against infection by intestinal parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium

While Lipase is essential for all bodies to adequately digest food, like anything, too much of it in breast milk isn’t a good thing. Babies might begin to refuse breast milk if there is an excess of lipase, causing both mom and baby to become frustrated.

Signs of High Lipase Milk

High Lipase milk will typically give off a soapy, sour, or rancid odor after being stored, according to HealthLine.

It’s important to remember that high-lipase milk is perfectly safe for babies to consume. Because high-lipase milk gives off an odor similar to spoiled milk, it’s essential to determine that the milk is not rancid. The CDC’s guidelines for safe storage practices for milk include:

• Thoroughly sanitize breast pump parts and bottles after each use,
• Using proper storage temperatures,
• Washing your hands before expressing or handling milk,
• Use storage bags meant for breast milk, and
• Not re-freezing milk after it has been thawed.

Can Anything Be Done About High Lipase Milk?

If the smell or taste of high lipase milk is causing the baby to refuse to feed, La Leche League suggests:

• Placing the milk in a clean pan over low heat on the stove (not microwave),
• Heat the milk just to the point that it is bubbling around the edges but not boiling,
• Place the pan in a larger bowl filled with ice water to cool it quickly, and
• Use safe storage practices until milk is ready to be used.

Where To Look For Support

Suppose you want some reassurance or support in dealing with any breastfeeding questions. In that case, there are free resources available worth checking out:

• Check with your local hospital – many hospitals today provide free lactation support circles, often facilitated by an RN. You can find guidance and connect with mothers who understand what you’re going through.
• Check with your city/county – Some counties will provide free home visits from a lactation consultant to new postpartum mothers. A quick Google search of your county name and “lactation support” will be an excellent place to start. Lactation consultants will have “IBCLC” after their name; this ensures that they are board certified and are capable of providing credible information. Your pediatrician or OBGYN might have a great recommendation for an IBCLC if such a program doesn’t exist where you live.
• WIC – WIC provides support by offering nutritional support for mothers. They also offer consultants and buddy programs in certain areas. Check out their website for more information!
• La Leche League – La Leche League (LLL) has established itself as one of the leading researchers and sources of support for breastfeeding mothers. They have a directory of support groups and blogs and authored the “Bible” or breastfeeding manuals: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

Remember that high-lipase milk is an obstacle that can be overcome with a few extra steps and made easier with a loving support group behind you! It’s easy to get frustrated when breastfeeding doesn’t feel like the magical journey we often hear about. Bumps along the way are entirely normal, but it’s valid to feel frustrated when they arise!

Sources: CDC, Healthline, La Leche League