How To Use Expired Or Undrinkable Breast Milk
December 17, 2021 2026-05-02 11:01How To Use Expired Or Undrinkable Breast Milk
How to Use Expired or Undrinkable Breast Milk
⭐ Before you throw out your breast milk…
If you’ve ever poured out your breast milk and felt sick to your stomach, you’re not alone. We hear this from parents every day. The good news is it’s usually preventable! If your milk smells off, wasn’t used in time, or if your baby won’t take it, this guide will help you understand what’s safe and what to do next.
But if this is happening often, it’s usually a sign that something in your feeding, pumping, or storage routine needs adjusting. That’s exactly what we help with, and it’s usually covered 100% by most insurance. Our lactation consultants help you troubleshoot milk storage, pumping schedules, and feeding challenges so your milk is used safely and effectively.
Ready to create a tailored plan that works for your routine, your baby, and your goals?
First, are sure your milk actually not safe for consumption? Often, mothers are instructed to pump and dump unnecessarily. Let’s discuss a few common scenarios:
- After having anesthesia
- After having an MRI with contrast- more info HERE
- When taking certain medications- more info HERE
- When concerned about a food allergy/intolerance- contact us!
- After consuming alcohol (click HERE) or caffeine (click HERE)
Is my milk actually undrinkable or harmful to my baby?
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
Smelly milk isn’t necessarily bad. If your milk smells or tastes soapy or metallic, high lipase may be the reason.
Lipase is an enzyme that is normally present in human milk, and is not harmful in any way. It’s actually important for breaking down fats in the milk so babies can get all the fat-soluble nutrients and fatty acids that protect them from getting sick. Lipase increases the longer milk is stored before being frozen. Milk that has a high level of lipase can develop a soapy smell and taste, but again, it is not harmful to the baby.
If your baby starts rejecting the high lipase milk, you can dilute it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste. For prevention, scalding it before freezing will remove some of the lipase. Click HERE for more information.
My milk is not safe for consumption. What now?
What constitutes undrinkable breast milk?
1) stored milk that has been frozen too long
2) Oxidization
3) fresh milk that has passed the safe window for consumption
While it’s heartbreaking, remember that milk probably still has a multitude of soothing and healing properties.
That milk probably still has a multitude of soothing and healing properties.
Need a plan to start replacing your freezer stash? We can help, and it’s covered 100% by most insurance nationwide.
Here are a few ways you can use breast milk that your baby can’t/won’t drink:
1) Milk baths. Breast milk baths can help with dry skin, cradle cap, rashes, eczema, the itch of bug bites, or just for general skin conditioning.
2) Breast milk lotion. It’s easy to make, wonderfully soothing, and can help baby’s eczema, diaper rash, baby acne, sensitive skin, even cuts and scrapes.
3) Syringes. Fill 1 ml syringes to save for first aid.
4) Dilution. If baby is refusing it due to high lipase (which is not actually harmful, it just tastes and smells off), try diluting it with fresh milk to lessen the undesirable taste.
5) Breast milk soap. If you’re feeling extra motivated, make breast milk soap. Keep reading- recipes below!
Milk Baths
Probably the most common way to use up undrinkable breast milk! Milk baths are super soothing and can help clear up skin irritations and moisturize dry skin. How to make your milk bath:
- fill baby’s bath as usual
- add enough milk to make the water cloudy
- let baby soak at least 5 minutes (or longer) and sponge milky water over their whole body
- pat dry and seal in the benefits with a gentle moisturizing lotion or amplify the benefits further with breast milk lotion!
Breast Milk Lotion Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 oz grapeseed or coconut oil (see note)
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- Few drops of Vitamin E oil
- 3 oz fresh breast milk, at room temperature
- a couple drops of an essential oil (for scent- optional)
Method:
Heat the oil and beeswax together slowly until the beeswax has just melted (stovetop or ~3 minutes in microwave on LOW setting).
Add the Vitamin E oil.
Slowly pour in the breast milk while whisking the oil mixture rapidly to emulsify. The mixture should thicken a bit.
Leave to cool before transferring to storage container. The lotion will continue to thicken as it cools. Beeswax reacts to light, and will discolor over time with exposure, so an opaque container that does not allow light to get through is ideal.
Do not freeze. Store in the refrigerator for best results. Some sources say breast milk lotion can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months; however, best practice is to use it within 7 days.
Note: Using coconut oil may be slightly more beneficial, but it also comes out harder, since coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Grapeseed oil produces a more traditional lotion texture and feel.
Note: Please use only your own breast milk, as other women’s milk may pass on bacteria that your baby may not have been exposed to yet, like strep or staph
**Reminder: if your baby has eczema related to dairy allergy, do not use lotion from breast milk that contains dairy!**
Breast Milk Syringes For First Aid
Fill 1 cc syringes with breast milk, and freeze in a date-labeled ziploc bag. Keep in mind the longer the milk has been frozen, the less potent the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits will be.
Pull a syringe out for spot treating the following:
- ear infections
- pink eye
- insect bites
- minor burns
- superficial cuts/abrasions
- diaper rash
…or any other minor irritation!
Breast Milk Soap
Breast milk is naturally high in fat and sugars, make it great for a luscious, creamy soap! Aside from the great texture, it has numerous skin benefits, similar to breast milk lotion or baths.
It is ideal for:
- Diaper Rash
- Eczema
- Dry Skin
…And more!
If using a cold processed method, be aware the soap may take 4-6 weeks to cure.
However, there are super quick and easy soap recipes like the one displayed on our TikTok. Take a look to see how you can make breast milk soap start to finish in about an hour!
To store this soap, keep bars that are not in use in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Soap does not need to be refrigerated between uses! If you notice a change in color or smell to your soap, it is time to discard it. Typical lifespan of this soap is 6 months.
Do I need help from a lactation consultant?
Ask yourself:
- Am I throwing away milk regularly?
- Do I feel unsure about safe milk storage rules?
- Is pumping not matching my baby’s needs?
- Am I guessing and hoping instead of feeling confident?
If you answered yes to any of these, you’re a perfect candidate for support. These are all things we help families fix every day! We can help you troubleshoot milk storage, pumping, and feeding so nothing goes to waste.
***The information provided on our website is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician for any questions you may have regarding your or your child’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received in this information.***
