freezing breast milk

[luv for 2]

does anyone know why my breast milk goes "funky" when it's frozen?  it's at the bottom of the deep freeze and only a month old.

[Carter'sMama]

What do you mean by "funky"?  When you freeze breastmilk is usually has a funny (almost sour smell) to it when it is defrosted.  I never had any problems with my lo taking it though and I pumped everyday and froze a ton of milk!! 

Some women report their bm having a bluish tint to it when it is frozen and then thawed.

I guess it depends what you mean by funky!

Let me know!

[luv for 2]

Sorry, by funky i mean, it smells and tastes different.  I tried to give my son some this afternoon and he refused it.  He also then refused formula which he doesn't normally so he may not have been hungry.

[mum101]

Do you have other samples to look at?  I would think after 1 month it would be fine, unless it had been unfrozen or refrozen.  Otherwise, it's too cold for bacteria etc.
I personally don't know if it's a different taste after freezing, but the separation of milk the bluish colours were what I found.  My DD would accept both the breast and a bottle of frozen milk and not mind. 
Trial and error might be your best bet! 

[Carter'sMama]

I would think that maybe your lo wasn't hungry if he wouldn't take the formula either.  I found the smell of thawed breastmilk to be quite different from the fresh stuff.  I would definitely try again and see what happens!

 

[luv for 2]

thanks for your input.  i guess i'll try again tomorrow.  i have about 30 oz frozen and i'd really hate to throw it out!!!!

[mum101]

If he doesn't accept it again, maybe you could mix it with formula as well. ??

[bethann]

I use frozen milk all the time.  There have been occasions where she will refuse it, so I throw it out and thaw out a new bag, which she'll take.  It was probably just a bad one for whatever reason.  Milk is supposed to last 3 mo. in the freezer and 6 mo. in a deep freezer (I don't know what temp. dictates a "deep freezer").  But, I'd just try a different bag.  If that one is still not good, then perhaps it was thawed a bit and then refroze or maybe sat a while before freezing or maybe it was just bad period. If it smells really sour then it could just have gone bad!  The bluish tint is probably just because it's mostly foremilk not because it's bad. I'd keep trying before throwing 30 oz away!

 -bethann