If you express your milk, you have probably noticed that the color of breast milk is not always the same and may vary. New moms may worry when the color appears to be changing. But rest assured, these variations are completely normal and you shouldn't worry! Here are the different colors breast milk can be and what they mean.
Colostrum, this yellow or golden treasure
During the first days ofbreastfeeding When you start breastfeeding, your body produces colostrum, often yellow or golden. This precious elixir is full antibodies and essential nutrients which strengthen your baby's immune system.
The yellow tint is completely normal, it is a sign of health and optimal protection for your newborn. Our body is well made, it provides our baby with the best for his new start in life!
The transition from yellow to white
As your milk production increases, the color of breast milk will change from yellow to white, similar to whole milk. This transition may take a few days.
There white color of breast milk is also completely normal. It indicates that your milk is more mature and always fulfills all nutritional requirements of your baby: vitamins, minerals, proteins, fatty acids, sugars…
The different shades of mature milk
Mature breast milk can have different colors, ranging from white to blue-green. These variations are often linked to the nutritional composition of milk.
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Blue-green milk
At the start of feeding, breast milk is less dense and more liquid. It can sometimes present a blue-green tint.
This is explained by its high water content, which gives it a more translucent appearance. The milk at the start of the feeding is also richer in sugar and its fat content is lower.
White milk at the end of the feeding
At the end of the feeding, the milk thickens and may appear clearer. He is in reality fatter and its coloring is closer to that of milk that we have in the collective imagination. The milk at the end of the feeding is therefore more opaque and more consistent than the milk at the start of the feeding.
Milk in the colors of the foods consumed by the mother
The color of breast milk can also be influenced by food of the mother. The natural pigments contained in certain foods can give particular shades to breast milk, without affecting its nutritional quality, nor the health of your baby.
Orange-colored breast milk 🥕
The consumption of carrots can provide a slight orange tint to breast milk. Carotenoids, rich in beta-carotene, are responsible for this variation and are a valuable source of vitamin A for your baby.
Green breast milk🥦
THE green vegetables as spinach can sometimes give a greener shade to milk, mainly due to the presence of chlorophyll. This is a sign that you are consuming foods rich in iron, which is beneficial for you and your baby.
Pink breast milk 🍠
The consumption of beets can occasionally tint the milk of a pinkish tint. The natural pigments present in these vegetables can color the milk, but this has no impact on its nutritional quality.
These color changes related to diet are generally safe for your baby and simply demonstrate the benefits of the nutrient-rich foods you eat. You can therefore continue to express your milk, even if its color changes!
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Other colors of breast milk
The vast majority of foods and substances you eat can pass into breast milk, including drugs.
Certain medications or supplements can therefore also influence the color of your breast milk. These variations are often minimal and temporary. Here are some commonly encountered examples:
- Antibiotics : certain types of antibiotics can sometimes give more yellowish tint with milk. However, these color variations do not affect the health of the infant.
- Vitamin B : Vitamin B supplements can sometimes give milk a more greenish tint. Supplements, while essential for maternal health, may cause slight color variations.
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Iron : THE iron supplements can slightly influence the color of the milk by doing so appear darker or rustier. These changes are temporary and have no impact on the nutritional quality of breast milk.
In postpartum and in general, the iron is essential for the production of red blood cells, which helps prevent anemia and maintain optimal energy levels. It also supports your immune system, improves cognitive functions and promotes better oxygenation of the muscles.
It is important to know that blood can also pass into your breast milk (in the case of cracks for example) and can give it a reddish or pinkish appearance.
The color of breast milk can therefore have different aspects. Generally, this change is simply linked to the nutritional composition milk and other factors, such as maternal nutrition. If your baby seems healthy and satisfied after feedings, the color of the milk is usually not not a cause for concern.
However, if you are concerned about the color of your breast milk, do not hesitate to discuss it with your healthcare professional. Always remember that your breast milk is valuable for growth and health of your baby, whatever their color!
