Health Update: Mothers' milk turned sour

Cherrill Hicks
Monday 19 October 1992 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

NURSING mothers who take vigorous exercise may find their babies reject their milk afterwards. Research in the journal Pediatrics points out that infant taste buds can distinguish between sweet and sour - and post-exercise breast milk tastes distinctly sour.

The study, undertaken by researchers at the University of Indiana in the United States, found that strenuous jogging, swimming, aerobics or walking resulted in a 400 per cent increase in lactic acid in breast milk, which alters its taste. Levels remained high for at least 90 minutes afterwards.

Babies tried to avoid the post-exercise milk, made faces, and one spat it out. The researchers suggest that breastfeeding mothers express milk before rigorous exercise.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in