In contrast to breast milk that is given directly, stored expressed breast milk can go stale you know, Mother. Then, how do we know that breast milk has gone stale? Come on, recognize the signs of stale breast milk, so that the mother does not give it wrongly to the little one.
Breast milk is an important source of nutrition for babies. However, the quality of breast milk can be reduced and even breast milk can be damaged if it is not stored properly or stored for too long. Drinking breast milk that is no longer fresh or has gone stale will put your little one at risk for digestive disorders, such as vomiting and diarrhea. you know, Mother.
Newly expressed breast milk and stored at room temperature should be drunk by the baby before 4 hours. Meanwhile, breast milk stored in cold packs should be taken less than 1 day, and if stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius should not be taken again after 4 days. However, if it is saved in freezer at -18 degrees Celsius or cooler, breast milk can last up to 6-12 months.
Signs of stale breast milk that mothers need to pay attention to
Before giving breast milk to your little one, apart from checking how long the milk has been stored, you also need to pay attention to the following signs of stale milk:
Breast milk does not dissolve when the bottle is shaken slowly
Expressed breast milk stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator will generally be divided into two layers. On the top layer, breast milk is usually yellowish white with a thick texture. Whereas in the lower layer, breast milk is clearer in color with a more watery texture.
This is normal because the fat content of breast milk is lighter and will rise to the top like oil mixes with water. Now, in fresh breast milk, this layer should come back together when the container is shaken gently (no need to shake). If the layers don't come together, let alone see lumps in them, your breast milk may have gone stale.
Breast milk has a rancid or sour smell
The smell of breast milk is similar to the smell of cow's milk. If it has been stored and frozen, it can have a slightly sour aroma. There is also breast milk that smells "like soap". This smell is normal because it is a sign of fat breakdown due to high levels of the lipase enzyme.
What needs attention and is a sign of stale breast milk is when the aroma changes to very sour, pungent, and rancid. Expressed breast milk with a smell like this should not be given to your little one yes, Mother.
Breast milk that tastes like stale milk
In addition to paying attention to the consistency and aroma, you also need to taste it. Breast milk that is still good tastes sweet and light. Some say it tastes similar to cow's milk, but tastes thinner. Some breast milk has a faint taste like the food you eat every day.
Well, if the expressed breast milk that you store tastes sour or tastes like stale food, it's best to just throw it away, Bun. It indicates that your expressed breast milk has gone stale.
Tips for Preventing Expressed Milk from Going Stale
The reason why expressed breast milk goes stale is because it has been stored for too long or the storage method is wrong. In order to keep your expressed milk fresh and the quality of your milk to be maintained, do the following tips for storing breast milk:
- Breast milk should be stored in small containers, each labeled with the date of expression. This method makes it easier for Mother to know which breast milk should be consumed by the Little One first and which breast milk should be discarded because it has passed the storage time limit.
- Store expressed breast milk in sterile, closed containers, such as plastic bottles or special breast milk containers. Avoid storing breast milk in glass or glass containers because they are prone to cracking, making it easier for bacterial contamination.
- As much as possible store breast milk in a special refrigerator for breast milk, and avoid mixing it with other food ingredients. Do not open and close the refrigerator too often, because it can change the temperature of the expressed breast milk that is being stored.
- Mothers can mix fresh expressed breast milk with expressed breast milk that has been stored in the refrigerator first. However, make sure they are both milked on the same day. It is not allowed to mix breast milk expressed on different days or whose cleanliness cannot be ensured.
Store breast milk properly so that your little one can still get quality and safe breast milk. If breast milk has shown signs of stale milk as mentioned above, you should not give it again to your little one.
If you accidentally give your little one stale breast milk, observe his condition. If he experiences complaints, such as diarrhea and vomiting, immediately consult a doctor so that he can be treated.