Tips for Recognizing the basic signs of breast milk

Unlike breast milk that is given directly, stored milk can rot. How do you know if breast milk is stale or not? Come on, recognize the signs of stale breast milk that we have summarized from Alodokter.com, so that you don't give it to your little one.

Breast milk is a source of essential nutrients for babies. However, the quality of breast milk can deteriorate and even the milk can be damaged if stored incorrectly or stored for too long. Drinking breast milk that is not fresh or stale will make your little one experience digestive disorders, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Breast milk that is freshly expressed and stored at room temperature must be drunk by the baby before 4 o'clock. Meanwhile, breast milk stored in cold packs should be less than 1 day, and if stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, it should not be reduced again after 4 days. However, if stored in the 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 breast milk:

Breast milk does not dissolve when the bottle is gently shaken

Milk stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator will usually split into two layers. In the top layer, usually breast milk is yellowish white with a thick texture. Meanwhile, in the lower layer, breast milk is clearer with a thinner texture.

This is natural because the fat content of breast milk is lighter and will rise to the top like oil mixed with water. Now, with fresh breast milk, this layer must come back together when the container is shaken slowly (not too hard). Layers If they don't stick together, especially if there are lumps in them, your milk is probably rotten.

Breast milk smells rancid or sour

The aroma of breast milk is similar to cow's milk. If it's been stored and frozen, it will smell a little sour. There is also breast milk which treats "like soap". This aroma is natural because it is a sign of disease caused by fat due to levels of the enzyme lipase.

What needs to be considered and a sign of stale breast milk is when the aroma turns very sour, stinging, and rancid. It's best not to give milk with a smell like this to your little one.

Breast milk that tastes like stale breast milk

Apart from paying attention to its consistency and aroma, you also need to taste it. Breast milk that is still good is sweet and light. Some say it tastes similar to cow's milk, but the taste is thinner. Some breast milk has an indistinct taste like the food you eat every day.

So, if the milk you have stored is already sour or tastes like stale food, you should just throw it away. This indicates that your mother's milk is stale.

Tips to Prevent Breast Milk from Going Stale

The cause of stale breast milk is because it is stored too long or how it is stored incorrectly. To keep breast milk fresh and the quality of breast milk maintained, do the following tips for storing breast milk:

• Breast milk should be stored in small containers labeled with the milking date each. This method makes it easier for mothers to see which breast milk to consume first and which breast milk to discard because it has passed the storage time limit.
• Store breast milk in a closed and sterile container, for example a plastic bottle or a plastic container for breast milk. Avoid storing breast milk in a glass or glass container because it is prone to breaking, 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, as this can change the temperature of the stored milk.
• Mothers may mix fresh expressed breast milk with 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 that is expressed on different days or whose hygiene cannot be ascertained.

Do breast milk storage properly so that your little one still gets quality and safe breast milk. If the breast milk shows signs of stale breast milk as above, you should not give it to your little one again.

If you accidentally give stale breast milk to your little one, observe his condition. If he experiences complaints, such as diarrhea and vomiting, consult a doctor immediately so that he can be treated.

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