Did you notice a change in the smell of your breast milk that has been stored after your baby has already had some? Then, let’s talk about what to do if your baby drinks potentially spoiled breast milk.
Overall, if your baby drank spoiled breast milk, they will most likely spit out the milk immediately. However, they can also vomit the milk up, and then the vomiting should stop.
In this article, we will cover how to notice if your breast milk has gone bad and the symptoms and signs to look out for in your baby. Read on!
My Baby Drank Spoiled Milk – What Should I Do?
If you notice that your baby has drank spoiled breast milk, it is essential not to panic or worry too much. This situation can happen to any parent, and you should be alert of any signs or symptoms in your baby after drinking the milk — more on this below.
Spoiled breast milk often smells sour or rancid and should not be given to your baby (source: La Leche League International). This can occur due to chemical oxidation that can change the chemical composition of your breast milk.
Besides making sure you safely and appropriately store your breast milk, whether in the fridge, freezer, or cooler bag, there are dietary causes of increased chemical oxidation in your breast milk. Avoid foods high in poly-unsaturated fats that are more likely to become rancid, such as brazil nuts, fish oil, anchovies, and flax seed supplements.
Additionally, try changing your water source or drinking bottled water because iron and copper ions could cause oxidation. Finally, increase your antioxidant consumption, such as in fruits and vegetables, to help prevent the oxidation.
However, if you notice a soapy or fishy smell, the milk is not spoiled, and it is, therefore, safe for your baby (source: La Leche League International).
Symptoms and Signs After Baby Drank Old Breast Milk
As mentioned above, it is important not to panic if you realize that your baby has consumed spoiled breast milk. If your baby has already consumed a small amount of breast milk that has spoiled, they will likely spit the milk out immediately because of the unpleasant taste. They may also squirm around after drinking the breast milk.
It is unlikely to cause them any significant harm beyond vomiting shortly after drinking the milk or spitting it out.
However, if you notice any other unusual symptoms or the vomiting does not resolve, make sure to contact your baby’s physician immediately. Additionally, contact a health professional if your baby drank a large amount of spoiled breast milk.
The main risk of vomiting is dehydration. If you notice your baby is urinating less frequently, has very dark-colored urine, or has no tears, seek medical attention right away (source: Seattle Children’s Hospital).
In conclusion, if your baby drank a small amount of old breast milk and spit it out or vomited it back up, they are likely OK once the vomiting resolves. I hope this article helped explain spoiled breast milk and instruct you on what signs and symptoms to monitor for.
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