When you pump bubbles in breast milk, the liquid gold that you are making can sometimes turn into a bubbly mess. Some mums are alarmed when they see bubbles in their milk, thinking that it means the milk has gone bad. However, this is not the case. It is completely normal for pumped milk to have bubbles in it. There are a few different reasons why your milk may have bubbles in it.
Bubbles in breast milk are a result of lipase, a protein found in the body that breaks down fats in pumped breast milk over time. It can also be a result of a forceful letdown while pumping. This causes the milk to “spray” out of the nipple, making it foamy. It can also be a result of loose pump connections or other malfunctions with your breast pump.
What happens when your baby drinks breast milk with bubbles in it?
Air bubbles in pumped breast milk can cause your baby to become gassy when they consume it. This is because their small tummies cannot hold the breast milk and air together. When the bubbles come back up through their digestive tracts, they can make your baby feel uncomfortable and cranky.
Bubbles in your frozen breast milk can also lead to freezer burn when you freeze and thaw it for later use. This will affect the quality of your milk and cause it to taste less fresh. It is important to use freezer bags that are designed for storing breast milk and to squeeze all the air out of your bag before sealing it.
