Unusual Color Of Breast Milk

Breast milk is the perfect food that Mother Nature has created for your baby. But just like chefs, things can sometimes go wrong in the kitchen (ie in your body) and this can lead to different colors of breast milk. Sometimes the colors are normal. Other times, these strange nuances are a sign that something is wrong.

What color is breast milk?

Before you panic, you should know that breast milk does not look like the cow's milk you buy from the store. It is perfectly normal to have a little orange, a little blue or even a little green. The color of the milk varies.

Colostrum is the first milk that the body produces before or after the baby is born. Its quantity is very small, but it is concentrated and highly nutritious. It has a yellow-orange color. Sometimes colostrum can be clear and sparse, but in most cases it is thick with a yellow or orange color. This milk is full of nutrients and also contains antibodies that protect the baby from infections and help build the immune system. It also has a laxative effect, which helps the baby's first bowel movement (meconium secretion).

Additional information on the topic: " Colostrum. What is it? ".

The body produces colostrum only during the first few days of a baby's life. After this period, the production of transitional milk begins. It is whiter or yellower in appearance, depending on your baby's needs (the infant needs a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats). Transitional milk production also does not last long and the formation of mature milk begins.

When the newborn reaches 3-4 weeks of age, the body will begin to produce mature milk. At this stage, changes will be observed again. The milk becomes thinner and bluish in color.

In general, breast milk tends to be clear or bluish in color when it first begins to flow from the breast at the beginning of breastfeeding or pumping session. This milk is called foremilk. It is lighter in color because the amount of fat in it is lower. As you continue to breastfeed or express, the fat content of the milk rises, making it more creamy and more saturated - back milk.

The colors of mature milk can change according to the needs of your baby.

More information can be found in: " Does breast milk change "

When the child switches to solid food, and it is time to wean him, the body will begin to produce milk, which will be very similar to colostrum.

What can change the color of breast milk?

Some foods, herbs, supplements and medications can affect the color of breast milk. These supplements can also affect the color of your urine or your baby's urine. Although it is disturbing and sometimes shocking to see a different shade of milk color, this can be quite normal.

These changes are usually related to diet and are not dangerous.

Normal colors of breast milk

It is perfectly normal for breast milk to be blue or white. When "blue" is mentioned, it does not mean blue as blueberry, but rather a bluish tinge.

White or blue milk usually appears when you first start breastfeeding or expressing, and is known as foremilk. It has a thinner texture and lower fat content - hence the bluish hue.

As already mentioned, once you start breastfeeding or expressing, the fat content will increase, and the milk will become thicker and creamier in color.

During the first breastfeeding, you will probably notice that your milk is yellow or even orange. This is colostrum, and your body will produce it in very small amounts. This milk is called "liquid gold" by many mothers.

What is the reason for this orange or yellow color? At high levels, beta-carotene - the main nutrient.

In some cases, this may be due to the fact that you have consumed foods high in carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Frozen milk is sometimes also yellowish.

Unusual, but not harmful, colors of breast milk

Although unusual, green milk is not necessarily harmful. If you have increased your consumption of green vegetables (spinach), seaweed, products containing green dyes, sweet drinks, certain herbs or vitamin supplements, this may be the reason for the color change.

The body receives nutrients from the blood (which come from the food you eat) and uses these nutrients to produce milk. So, if you eat more of these products, it is not surprising that the color of breast milk has changed.

Green milk can also be the result of taking iron supplements.

You may be worried if you see red or pink milk. Its appearance is not as common as other colors. Usually, pink or red color means the presence of a little blood. Experts say it is not harmful to the baby. The blood in the milk may be from cracked nipples, torn capillaries or a bacterium called Serratia marsescens.

The pink or red color of milk can also be due to the foods you eat, especially beets and products containing red colors (carbonated and fruit drinks, jelly desserts).

In most cases, the staining of breast milk does not indicate a serious medical condition (such as breast cancer), but you should still be examined by a doctor to rule out this as a cause. It is possible for breast milk to turn brown or rusty in the first days after birth if it contains blood. This is thought to be due to the growth of milk ducts and milk production cells in the breast and does not last more than a week.

The presence of bright red, pink, brown like coffee or chocolate, black or olive green milk may indicate the presence of blood. The most common cause of blood in breast milk is the presence of cracks and sore nipples.

In case of damage and impaired integrity of the blood vessels in the breast area, blood can flow through the milk ducts and color the breast milk in an unusual and startling color.

If your milk looks like dirty water from an old rusty pipe, then you most likely have rusty pipe syndrome. A less common condition is intraductal papilloma, a small benign warty growth on the lining of the bleeding milk duct. This is not breast cancer and usually goes away in a few days. However, it is good to visit a medical person for an examination.

Sometimes the baby may pass dark stools or vomit bloody milk. This is due to the blood it absorbs in breast milk. Do not rush to worry, a small amount of blood in the milk will not harm the baby. In such a situation you do not need to stop breastfeeding. In most cases, the bleeding will go away in just a few days. If this does not happen and you continue to notice blood in your breast milk after a week, consult your doctor.

Black milk production is related to the antibiotic Minocin ( minocycline ). It is a drug used to treat acne, it also causes darkening of the skin.

Its use while breastfeeding is not recommended. That is why it is extremely important to always warn your doctor that you are breast-feeding before taking any medication.

When to call the doctor

Most often, any change in the color of breast milk is due to something you have consumed and there is nothing to worry about. Although it is normal for the color of the milk to change, you should contact a doctor or breastfeeding specialist if you think something is wrong. Always listen to your intuition - it's usually right.

The breastfeeding counselor or doctor will hear your concerns and give guidance or perform an examination if necessary to make sure you do not have a serious illness.

Milk color can be caused by your baby's health

Breast milk can change color when the baby's health changes.

Doctors say it is not uncommon for breast milk to change color when babies become ill. This is the mother's way of helping to heal her child, whose immune system is still developing.

A 2013 study found that about 70% of the cells in colostrum are leukocytes (white blood cells) that fight infections. It makes sense for colostrum to contain so many antibodies - your baby has just come into the world and is sensitive to almost anything.

After several high doses of immunomodulatory milk, white blood cell levels drop to about 2%. But if the mother or baby becomes ill, studies show that the number of white blood cells increases again - up to 94%.

These antibodies are what give the milk a yellowish appearance.

One breast produces milk of a different color than the other

What happens if one breast produces milk of a different color? Is this normal?

In most cases, yes! Most often this is due to foremilk. If you have not breastfed or expressed from one breast for some time, the milk may turn bluish or whiter.