What does breast milk taste like?

Composition of breast milk

Breast milk is a balanced nutritional medium. Its content may vary depending on the time of day, general condition and mood (psychological comfort) of the mother. The composition of the liquid changes during feeding. Milk contains:

• proteins, fats and carbohydrates necessary for the life and development of a child in infancy;
• enzymes that promote the absorption of nutrients;
• immunological defense factors responsible for the formation of the body’s immune response to the presence of antigens and the development of acquired immunity;
• vitamins and minerals, micro- and macroelements of which regulate metabolism, help to optimally use the constituent components of breast milk.

Breastfeeding, unlike artificial feeding, fully meets the growing body's need for water. Milk consists of 87% of it. If the feeding regimen is followed, the baby receives breastfeeding on demand; there is no need to give him additional water.

The most important component is proteins. Breast milk contains macromolecules with a balanced amino acid composition and easy digestibility. Their content can reach 1–1.8%. The main building material is casein (its amount in mature milk can be up to 40% of the total amount of proteins) and whey protein (up to 60%).

Fat in liquid – from 3.9 to 5.2%. Their finely dispersed structure allows molecules to easily penetrate cell membranes. This helps the absorption of substances and quickly saturates the child. The fat content of the nutrient fluid gradually increases during feeding. The last portion of milk is the fattest.

Carbohydrates are represented by di- and oligosaccharides. Lactose (6.8%) is necessary to provide energy to a growing body. This is especially important for the brain. Carbohydrate promotes calcium absorption. Oligosaccharides are a nutrient medium for bifidobacteria living in the child’s intestines. In addition, they neutralize some antigens.

Milk contains digestive hydrolytic enzymes necessary for the breakdown of all macromolecules. They participate in the formation of new vital compounds. Some of them block the activity of viruses and pathogenic single-celled microorganisms.

The nutritional fluid contains hormones and growth and development factors. They participate in the humoral regulation of metabolic processes in the child’s body and are responsible for the differentiation of cells and tissues of all organ systems.

Consistency

• The structure immediately after pumping is often homogeneous, but sometimes there are lumps.
• A watery or runny appearance is normal.
• Milk that has separated into layers can be returned to its homogeneity if you carefully mix it in the container with a rotating motion (do not shake the product).

Milk may separate into layers during storage; this is completely normal.

Color

• Colostrum color can range from orange to light yellow. The density of this milk is increased, and it contains many antibodies.
• Mature milk may be white in color, but it may also have a yellow, blue or creamy tint.
• There is no need to think that if it has a bluish tint, it is non-greasy and not nutritious. Absolutely normal human milk may have this color.
• It can turn orange and also greenish if a woman’s diet contains foods that contain natural dyes. From the carrot salad or pumpkin dishes on Mommy's menu, it may take on an orange tint. A greenish tint may appear due to eating broccoli, spinach or seaweed.
• Also, the acquisition of the shade may be associated with eating food with artificial colors or medications.
• A pink tint often appears due to blood from damaged nipples or a burst capillary entering breast milk. This does not impair its characteristics in any way, so it can be given to a child. Often, blood that gets into the milk settles at the bottom of the bag or container, so it is better to pour the product into another bottle and give the baby some of the milk without blood.

When a woman begins to breastfeed her baby, they are interested in several questions regarding breast milk. Firstly, is the baby getting enough milk? This is especially important at the beginning of feeding when lactation has not yet fully established and the mother has little milk. Secondly, what breast milk should look like (its color and consistency). And thirdly, what the taste of breast milk is, this is most important for mothers whose children suck weakly and refuse to breastfeed. We have already covered the first two questions in articles. Let's look at the taste of breast milk in more detail, what the taste should be and what can change it.

I would like to immediately note that the tastes of an adult and a baby are very different. And just because you think breast milk tastes bad, that doesn’t mean your baby won’t like it too. There are mothers who are simply sick of the taste and smell of their milk, while their children eat it with pleasure. Let's take a closer look at what the taste of breast milk depends on.

A newborn becomes familiar with the taste of breast milk immediately after birth; this is the first thing he tastes. He gets used to the taste, and if the mother does not change her lifestyle and diet, then the taste of breast milk does not change much during the entire period of breastfeeding. I would like to immediately note that the taste of breast milk is not constant, it can change even during the day, children, as a rule, do not react to this unless there are some strong taste changes.

Proper balanced nutrition for a nursing mother, absence of illness, proper work and rest schedule, lack of stress, and giving up bad habits guarantee good quality and quantity of breast milk. And accordingly, the composition of breast milk and its taste will satisfy the baby.

What else affects the taste of breast milk?

Sometimes these are medications, such as antibiotics. This does not mean that breastfeeding mothers have to “pump” if they are taking medications. Your doctor will help you determine whether your medications are affecting your milk.

Exercise can cause you to sweat, which can give your skin a salty taste. After intense exercise, lactic acid can also accumulate in breast milk; it also affects the taste. There is no evidence that this acid is harmful to infants.

Aroma is another reason why the taste of milk may change. The use of perfumes, creams or body lotions is not always pleasant for babies.

Source: Freepik

What does taste depend on?

It is different for every woman. The taste may depend on the mother’s well-being at the time of feeding, her state of health, and the foods prevailing in the diet. The following products influence the appearance of a specific flavor:

• spices and hot spices (cinnamon, pepper, vanillin, cumin);
• vegetables with a strong taste and smell (onions, garlic, radishes);
• herbs containing essential oils (basil, mint, thyme).

The taste of a valuable product is negatively affected by the consumption of smoked products. Dishes high in sugar and salt, and coffee also affect the composition and taste of breast milk.

Flavors are affected by hormonal changes. For some breastfeeding women, menstruation occurs before the end of the lactation period. The beginning of the cycle is associated with strong hormonal changes, which are reflected in the taste characteristics of breast milk. During this period, it may become bitter or salty (depending on the level of hormones in the mother's blood).

Some medications can affect the taste of milk. In order not to cause unfavorable changes, medications should be limited or eliminated altogether.

Greater physical activity (for example, intense and prolonged training) leads to the accumulation of lactic acid in the body fluid. It is a breakdown product of glucose. Before the acid is cleared from the blood, it can make breast milk acidic.

Alcohol and nicotine lead to the fact that the nutrient liquid has not only a foreign taste, but also an uncharacteristic odor. Carcinogens and toxins can make milk completely unsuitable for baby food. In addition, such a product poses a potential threat to the child’s fragile body.

Products not recommended for breastfeeding

In the first months of life, the child is especially sensitive to substances that come with mother's milk, so the young mother should pay special attention to composing her diet. Improper nutrition of the mother can cause diathesis, colic, bloating, and diarrhea in the child.

These products are prohibited for women during breastfeeding:

• White cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli (cause bloating and cause colic in the baby).
• Legumes (provoke flatulence in a newborn).
• Citrus fruits (can provoke diathesis).
• Smoked meats (contain harmful substances that can cause allergies in a child).
• Fried and fatty foods (promotes colic).
• Mushrooms (can cause severe digestive upset in a baby).
• Large quantities of pasta and baked goods (cause fermentation and gas formation in the child).
• Carbonated drinks (dyes contained in drinks can cause allergies in a newborn).
• Coffee (stimulates the child’s nervous system).

When else does taste change?

Mom's diet is not the only factor influencing the taste of milk.

1. Hormonal status. All changes that occur in a woman’s body affect the taste of milk. These include periods of menstruation, new pregnancy.
2. Sports activities. If a woman engages in intense sports during breastfeeding, lactic acid begins to accumulate in her body. In addition, sweating increases, which affects the smell and taste of milk in a negative way. Therefore, during the feeding period it is recommended to avoid increased exercise.
3. Taking medications. Some medications can also worsen the taste of milk. If a woman notices that the baby has stopped eagerly suckling at the breast, and the duration of feeding has decreased, then you should pay attention to what medications the woman takes during this period.
4. Drinking alcoholic beverages. The alcohol contained in alcohol passes into breast milk, making it extremely unpleasant for the baby. Therefore, after drinking even a glass of wine, you should not immediately put your baby to your breast. It should take at least two hours.
5. Smoking. A special study was conducted which showed that a smoking nursing mother will have a specific taste of milk. Therefore, the baby may refuse such food. If a woman cannot quit smoking, then it is better to do this only after feeding.
6. Use of certain cosmetics. If a nursing mother, during the period of breastfeeding, intensively lubricates her mammary glands with lotions, various creams and oils, and uses eau de toilette liberally, then all this can affect the taste of the milk. It is recommended to wash off applied cosmetics from the surface of the skin before each feeding.

What does milk taste like during pregnancy?

Interestingly, a pregnant mother begins to produce colostrum at around 16 weeks. This first milk is all your baby needs immediately after birth. It is high in sodium, antibodies and protein, making it less sweet than the ripe variety.

Breast milk from mothers who gave birth prematurely has slightly different properties. This helps protect premature babies as they are much more vulnerable, especially if they are NOT breastfed.

Surprisingly, if you become pregnant while breastfeeding your older baby, your breast milk will become similar to colostrum later in pregnancy. It will turn from sweet to salty. Some children will not object, others will refuse to eat. But those who remain breastfed will be able to receive additional immune protection.

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Why is breast milk sweet?

In most cases, if a nursing woman eats well and properly, mother's milk can be characterized as creamy, sweet, and emitting a pleasant aroma. The sweet taste of milk is due to the presence of milk sugar in it - lactose , light notes of saltiness are imparted by sodium chloride, and the creamy taste is provided by fatty acids.

Trying to determine the taste of their milk, some women try it themselves. However, you need to understand that the baby has his own taste preferences, so if you don’t like the taste of breast milk, this does not mean that your baby will too.

Why milk can be bitter

When human milk suddenly acquires a rancid or sour taste, the oxidation process may be the cause. It is possible that recently the young mother has begun to consume large amounts of foods containing polyunsaturated fats, or drinks water with a high concentration of iron and copper ions. If the milk is bitter, it is recommended to do the following.

1. As for elements such as iron and copper, they enter the body along with water. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the water that a woman drinks daily.
2. It is worth giving up foods such as anchovies, flaxseed and fish oil. All this gives mother’s milk a rancid taste, and the baby will definitely refuse such food.
3. To stabilize and improve the taste of your own milk, you should consume more foods containing vitamin E.

It is worth noting that some children independently get used to and adapt to the new flavor notes present in milk. Sometimes a child may completely refuse such food if he no longer likes it. If the problem becomes acute, a woman can taste her breast milk. Obvious notes of bitterness or acid are a reason to completely reconsider your diet.

Does taste depend on what you eat?

If you express breast milk and feel that it tastes or smells sour, the food you are consuming may be the cause.

You can control the quality of your breast milk by avoiding certain foods.

Some of them:

• Garlic
• Anchovies
• Certain nuts (Brazil nuts are known to rot easily)
• Expired vegetable oils
• Fish fat
• Flaxseed supplements.

Why does breast milk taste like soap?

Many mothers try to freeze their milk, especially if there is a lot of it. But sometimes after defrosting it takes on a soapy taste. Due to this, some children take such food without much pleasure. It's all about the excess lipase in milk, which immediately after expressing begins to break down fat.

Important! Pasteurizing milk at 80°C for 1-2 minutes will help to avoid the appearance of a soapy taste, after which it should be quickly cooled and frozen.

My child doesn't like the taste of milk

Another cause of sour taste is the enzyme lipase. It can also make your milk “soapy” or give it a fishy taste. Because of this, children often refuse to feed.

But don't worry. The enzyme is completely safe for the child and, moreover, you can neutralize it by simply scalding the milk.

How to do it:

• Pour your breast milk into a saucepan (immediately after pumping) and heat gently until tiny bubbles form around the edges. If you have a way to measure the temperature, preheat to 72°C.

Note: Do not bring the milk to the boiling point as this will damage important immunological factors. Do not put milk in the microwave.

• Immediately pour the milk into a container with ice and cold water and place it in the refrigerator. Use within 2 days.

Your baby won't feel the difference.

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What reactions can you expect from children?

Children react differently to changes in the taste of their food. This depends on the individual characteristics of the child, and on how much his usual taste has changed. Many babies continue to breastfeed happily regardless of the mother's nutrition or the day of her cycle, while others become dissatisfied.

In the second case, the matter is most often limited to whims of varying degrees of duration, so time and patience will be your main allies: when the taste of the milk returns to normal, everything will get better again. But some babies are able not only to refuse several feedings, but even to wean themselves from the breast due to a change in the taste of their favorite food.

When thinking about what your breast milk tastes like, remember that it is still intended for a baby, not an adult. What may seem sickly sweet or tasteless to you is the best treat in the world for your baby. The mother’s main task is to give the baby maximum benefit, and therefore she should lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, trust nature and be patient.

Sweet or bitter?

The composition and consistency change over time, and this affects the taste. Colostrum is the baby's first milk, produced by the breasts before birth and for several days after. It has a high content of proteins, sodium, immunoglobulins and low content of lactose, fats and glucose.

Colostrum is saltier. It tastes similar to breast milk, which is produced during mastitis. Or when the baby begins to be weaned.

Mature milk contains lactose, the main form of sugar in this product; lactose and gives it a sweetness that babies love.

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How does refrigeration affect

Sometimes a woman notices that the baby sucks with pleasure from the mother’s breast, but begins to refuse milk that was stored in the refrigerator or freezer. In this case, you should pay attention to the storage conditions.

1. It is better to pour milk into a glass or plastic bottle. Plastic bags are completely unsuitable for this. Not only will milk not be able to retain all its nutritional properties, but it will also change its taste.
2. When freezing milk, you need to make sure that all adjacent bags and containers are tightly closed, otherwise the smell from other products will interrupt the aroma of expressed milk, affecting its taste.

Mother's milk is the most delicious food for a newborn baby. And if at some point the child begins to refuse such food, it is worth checking the taste of the milk. A woman should analyze her own diet, give up bad habits, use of cosmetics and flavored products, and check the storage conditions of milk.