Breast Milk Colors: What’s Normal and When to Worry
Seeing the different hues of breast milk can be shocking for new parents. Amy Bevington, UnityPoint Health lactation consultant, discusses the spectrum of breast milk colors, from odd but normal to when it’s time to chat with a lactation consultant or doctor.
Breast Milk Colors and What They Mean
While some breast milk color changes are clearly linked to a condition, medication or diet, others are less understood and require more scientific research to confirm their cause.
Clear or Watery Breast Milk
It's normal for breast milk to look clear or watery. This usually means it has more sugar (lactose) and less fat, often occurring when your breast isn't fully emptied. While it won't harm your baby, it might cause them to be gassy, fussy or have frothy, green stools. If you notice this, it's a good idea to chat with a lactation specialist.
When you're directly breastfeeding, you can't really see this difference in milk color. However, having too much milk (oversupply) can also lead to an imbalance between the watery "foremilk" and the fattier "hindmilk." If you suspect you have an oversupply, it's important to get support from a lactation consultant. Generally, feed your baby on demand and avoid over-stimulating your breasts to make more milk than needed.
To help your baby get more of the rich, fatty milk, make sure to let them fully finish one breast before offering the other.
Blue Breast Milk
Research is limited, but it’s thought that the breast milk at the start of a feeding, foremilk, contains less fat, more sugar and is slightly blue. As your baby keeps eating, the milk changes into hindmilk, which is white and richer in fat.
Yellow Breast Milk
Colostrum is the breast milk your body produces first. It’s thick and typically a yellowish color due to the high beta-carotene it contains. However, it may appear clear and watery, too. As your milk supply increases over the next two weeks, its color shifts to white.
“Breast milk may have a yellow hue from a diet heavy in yellow or orange vegetable as well, such as pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes or carrots. When frozen, breast milk might look yellow,” Bevington says.
Green Breast Milk
Breast milk might look green after eating large amounts of leafy vegetables or kelp. Concentrated natural vitamins can make it appear green, too. Blue food dyes may also give breast milk a green tint. Other reasons might include the presence of ferrous iron (used to treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia), certain green dyes or even the medication Propofol, which is used as a sedative or anesthetic.
Pink Breast Milk
Sometimes, a pink hue in your breast milk is simply from eating beets. Rifamycin, a class of antibiotics often used to treat bacterial infections, can cause your breast milk to appear pink or red, too.
Pumped breast milk that’s pink might also be from poorly cleaned pump parts or milk left out too long, potentially due to a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, which creates a bright pink color.
“If you see pink milk, store, mark it and thoroughly clean and sterilize all pump parts and bottles,” Bevington says.
However, it’s important to follow-up with a provider to determine the cause of any pink breast milk.
Blood in Breast Milk
"Rusty Pipe Syndrome,” although rare, happens as your milk ducts expand, causing tiny blood vessels intertwined with them to leak a small amount of blood into your breast milk.
Bevington says, “Your breast milk might appear a dark brownish-red while pumping, or you may notice it in your baby's stool. The good news is that it’s not harmful to your baby. Lactation consultants recommend continuing to breastfeed as the color typically clears up on its own within 3 - 7 days.”
Additional explanations for blood in breast milk are due to pumping too forcefully, having cracked nipples and if an older baby is strongly sucking during a growth spurt. These scenarios cause fragile, tiny blood vessels to burst.
“To prevent this, be gentle with your breast tissue. Set your pump’s suction to a comfortable level and address any nipple damage by adjusting your baby’s latch, so your nipple heals,” Bevington adds.
If your breast milk stays pink or red for several days, contact a healthcare provider, as this color can signal other underlying issues.
Black or Brown Breast Milk
Seeing black or brown breast milk is unusual and likely linked to medications or herbs. For example, the antibiotic Minocycline can cause your milk to appear black or brown. Similarly, consuming turmeric might give your breast milk a brownish or golden tint.
When to Talk to a Doctor or Lactation Consultant About Breast Milk Color
While breast milk can naturally vary in color due to diet, medications or normal changes, it's completely understandable to feel concerned when you notice an unexpected hue. Many variations are harmless, but some warrant a closer look.
If you have any persistent concerns about your breast milk's color, or if your baby has digestive symptoms like too much gas or changes in their stools, don't hesitate to contact your primary care provider or a lactation consultant. They can provide personalized guidance, offer reassurance and help determine if any underlying issues need to be addressed. Your peace of mind and your baby's health are always the top priority.