What color is breast milk? What color is normal breast milk?

Many people know that after newborns are born, their daily food mainly depends on their mother’s breast milk. But before breastfeeding, the mother's breast milk is often tested to see if it is healthy. The most common detection method is through color. So what is the normal color of women's breast milk? Let us learn about the normal color through the following article.

The color of breast milk changes

The color of breast milk changes. Colostrum is usually yellow, very thick, and contains high concentrations of antibodies (especially within 12 hours after delivery).

During the first week after birth, colostrum gradually transforms into mature milk and the milk begins to turn white.

blue

Typical breast milk colors: clear, bluish, white

Generally speaking, the first half of breast milk at the beginning of each feeding, or expressed, is clear (not turbid) or bluish and is called "foremilk." As the baby is fed, the color of the milk will become whiter as the fat content increases. The milk at this time is called "hind milk".

During each feeding or milking process, there is no clear boundary between foremilk and hindmilk.

But breast milk is not always white; normal breast milk can appear in many colors. If you are breastfeeding, you often won't notice a change in the color of your milk, but if you are expressing your milk, you may notice a change in the color of your milk.

Most of the time, changes in breast milk color are normal and completely healthy and nothing to worry about.

Changes in breast milk color are usually caused by the mother's food. The natural color of the food or eating foods with artificial dyes may cause changes in breast milk color.

pink

Pink breast milk

If the mother eats a lot of dark-colored foods, such as beetroot, her breast milk may appear pink. Sometimes, due to nipple damage, the breast milk may be mixed with the mother's blood and appear pink.

yellow

Yellow or orange milk

Eating too many yellow and orange vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, etc., can cause breast milk to turn yellow.

green

Green breast milk

Eating too many green or blue foods, such as large amounts of green leafy vegetables, kelp, or taking vitamin tablets made from natural ingredients.

Blue foods may also turn your breast milk a light green.

black

Black breast milk

This may be caused by taking medications, such as minocycline, which is taken by mouth to treat acne. If a breastfeeding mother is taking tetracyclines, it may affect the development of the child's teeth and bones. Although short-term use has not been found to harm the baby, repeated and long-term use of such drugs should be avoided.

Dark breast milk can also be caused by the mother's blood entering the breast milk.

red

Red/brown breast milk

This color is often due to the mother's blood or some blood components being mixed into the breast milk.

Brightening

Bright white lumps

If you leave breast milk in a bottle or bag for a while, bright white lumps may appear on the surface. These are the fat component in the breast milk. If there are lumps of hair, it may indicate that the mother is in the early stages of mastitis. It is best to resolve it as soon as possible or consult a doctor for treatment.

The breast milk from mastitis is safe for the baby and can be drunk.

Blood in breast milk

Generally speaking, the presence of blood in breast milk does not mean that the mother has any serious illness (such as mastitis), but it is best to see a doctor for a check-up to rule out any major illness.