Breast milk is the best sustenance for babies and newborns.
It contains all the super-nutrients needed for a baby’s growth and has many other benefits for both the mother and the baby as well.
Breast milk is normally sweet but sometimes your breast milk can taste salty.
This can be very worrying for any mom. What can cause this change in milk taste and what can be done about it? Is salty breast milk safe for your baby?
Salty breast milk is caused by an increase in sodium and chloride levels in your milk. This rise in salt levels can be because of hormonal changes, weaning, pregnancy, exercise, clogged ducts, or mastitis.
Sometimes, only milk from one breast is salty, while the other tastes normal.
In this article, we will discuss 8 causes of salty breast milk and how to resolve them. Please read on.
8 Causes Of Salty Breast Milk
1 – Weaning
Weaning causes a salty taste to breastmilk because the breast is no longer being emptied.
This is especially so for sudden weaning.
The breasts retain a lot of milk causing stasis. Milk stasis then causes a spike in sodium and chlorine levels giving the milk a salty taste.
On squeezing your nipples, you’ll discover that your milk is thick and yellow. If you try to taste it, you’ll find that it’s salty.
I know because I did.
When I was weaning my 2-year-old toddler, I tried to check if I was still producing milk.
I was but it was very thick and creamy. On tasting it, it was salty and absolutely nasty.
That’s when I realized why my son was disgusted by my milk after a few days of weaning.
Little wonder then that your baby goes on a nursing strike when milk flow goes down and they start weaning.
Do not be alarmed. The salty taste is perfectly normal as the breast milk tapers out.
2 – Clogged Ducts
Clogged ducts occur when there is poor drainage in a milk duct in your breast.
The breast stays fuller for longer creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This harmful bacteria causes the milk to have a salty taste.
A clogged duct looks and feels like a lump or swelling in a specific area of your breast.
You will feel some discomfort that goes away when you breastfeed your baby or pump. There could be some swelling and/or pain near the lump and the lump may even change position with time.
Unnecessary external pressure on your full breasts will cause blocked or clogged ducts.
This pressure could be from a tight bra, a seat belt, or the diaper bag strap which restricts the flow of breast milk.
Inadequate breastfeeding, poor latch and tongue-tie will also result in poor drainage of breast milk.
An unresolved clogged duct may advance to something more serious – mastitis.
But no reason to panic. If you act soon enough, you can clear your clogged duct.
A good massage will also bring relief.
This is a sure way of keeping the milk flowing. Start on the outside of your breast as you move towards the plug.
Do not stop breastfeeding your baby so as to continually drain the breast.
Also, ensure that your baby has a good latch. Get the help of a certified International lactation consultant to help you establish a good latch.
Another old and tested way is to begin your nursing with the clogged breast.
A baby will suck hardest on the first breast they latch onto because that’s when they are hungriest.
The more attention the clogged breast gets, the better.
Finally, you can try this Haakaa and Epsom salt trick to relieve your clogged ducts.
3 – Mastitis
Mastitis is another cause of salty breast milk. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue and mostly happens in breastfeeding mums.
Symptoms of mastitis include swollen, red, and inflamed breasts. You may also show flu-like symptoms. The infected breast will produce salty breastmilk.
Bacteria from the baby’s mouth can travel up the milk duct causing an infection. Unresolved clogged ducts will also become mastitis.
What do you do?
Rule number 1 is to keep breastfeeding your baby. You cannot pass the infection to your baby. If your baby rejects the infected breast, express the milk as you would when unclogging a duct.
The next step is to visit your health practitioner who will prescribe some oral antibiotics to resolve the issue.
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4 – Your Monthly Period
Just before you start your monthly period, during ovulation, and afterwards, your body goes through some hormonal changes.
These hormonal changes can change the taste of your breast milk temporarily. It could become salty to taste as shown in this study.
The same hormonal changes also cause some debris and skin cells to get caught up in the milk duct. Just like we discussed clogged milk ducts and how they alter breast milk turning it salty.
The secret to getting through this brief period is the same as all others; Keep pumping, keep your baby latched and it will pass.
5 – Pregnancy
Pregnancy has also been associated with salty breast milk.
You have most probably heard about kids who self-weaned as soon as the mom got pregnant. Or that salty breast milk is a sure sign of being pregnant. Don’t dismiss this common women’s folk tale just yet.
When you get to the second trimester, your breast milk starts to turn into colostrum. This is because your body is preparing for the new baby’s arrival. Colostrum has a salty taste because it has more sodium content.
The problem comes when you are tandem breastfeeding and your bigger baby just doesn’t like mommy’s milk anymore.
Your baby notices and doesn’t welcome the salty taste in your breast milk because of the colostrum.
6 – Exercise
High-intensity workouts will also turn the breast milk salty.
A breastfeeding mum is advised to do low-key exercises for good reason. When you exercise, your body accumulates lactic acid which can give your breastmilk a salty taste.
You also sweat and perspiration is salty which will get to your baby’s mouth causing fuzziness.
Remember to wipe the sweat off your breasts or run through a shower before breastfeeding your baby.
7 – Long Time Between Feeds
Salty breast milk will also be experienced when you stay too long before feeding your baby.
What happens when you have to go back to work and leave your baby home? Your breasts remain fuller for longer. This is what is called milk stasis; when your breast is uncomfortably full.
The stagnant milk provides good ground for bacteria to grow which then gives your breastmilk a salty taste.
Milk stasis is resolved in the same way as a clogged duct. Get some rest, massage with a hot compress before feeding, try to hand express the affected breast and most importantly increase the frequency of feeding your baby.
If it does not resolve in 24 hours, seek medical attention.
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8 – A Drop in Breast Milk Supply
A drop in milk supply especially when it is sudden, alters the taste of breast milk turning it salty. Poor nutrition coupled with stress, and little or no rest will result in a drop in milk supply.
If you stay too long before you start breastfeeding there will be a drop in breastmilk supply. The same will happen if your baby is not latching properly, if you are not breastfeeding often enough, if you are supplementing breastfeeding with something else, even using some medication.
What do you do? Ensure your baby latches on well, increase the intervals of breastfeeding, and when you go back to work, set up a breast pumping station so milk flows as needed.
A proper diet, hydration, and exercise couldn’t hurt.
Is Salty Breast Milk Safe For Baby?
Feeding your baby salty breast milk is usually safe. Your baby may be fussy but that doesn’t mean he is harmed by your milk.
As long as all hygiene protocols are observed, go ahead and let your baby feed.
However, take the necessary steps to get rid of the salty breast milk taste as soon as possible. Should it persist, seek medical attention and a lactation consultant.
Talk to other breastfeeding moms and join a support group so you can share experiences. Remember, it takes a village.
Why Some Babies Don’t Mind Salty Breast Milk?
Amazing fact: your baby can recognize you from just the smell and taste of your breast milk! This is because your breast milk taste and smell are unique to you and are similar to that of the amniotic fluid.
A slight change to the taste and smell of you, the mommy, confuses your child. Some children become fussy, others self-wean and refuse to latch while others soldier on.
If you remain calm and keep massaging your breast, the salty taste will pass as milk continues to flow.
Besides, breastfeeding provides much more than just food. It’s a source of immense nurturing for your baby.
Some babies will keep on feeding despite the saline taste of your milk because they are being comforted.
How To Get Rid Of Salty Breast Milk?
We have discussed 8 causes of salty breast milk and how to resolve them. The bottom line is when you realize your breast milk has a new salty taste, take action immediately.
Do not stop breastfeeding your baby instead give the breast extra attention by massaging it, pumping it, and ensuring milk from the infected breast keeps flowing.
Cut back on high-intensity workouts, watch your diet and ensure you have a stress-free environment. Should the salty breast milk persist after 24 hours, consult a medical practitioner who will advise you accordingly.
Remember to keep pumping until you resolve the problem except you’re weaning of course.
Conclusion – does breast milk taste salty?
Now you know that breast milk can taste salty. Salty breast milk should not be a problem if your baby is not too bothered.
However, if the reason your milk tastes salty is an infection, rest well and follow the solutions provided above not just to get rid of the saline taste of your milk.
But also to provide relief from the extreme pain and discomfort, mastitis or a clogged duct can cause.
Get to your doctor for any medications if the infection gets worse.
Otherwise, if your doctors guarantee that your breast milk, salty as it is, is good quality and contains all your baby needs, then by all means breastfeed your baby.
Mumsinvited has lots of great breastfeeding articles, if you enjoyed this one, you may be interested in this popular post – 10 alternatives to wearing a nursing bra to bed when breastfeeding.