The color of milk

The color of breast milk can vary considerably and is influenced by a number of factors. These variations can sometimes be surprising or worrying, but they are generally normal and harmless. This article explores the different colors breast milk can take on, the reasons for these variations, and what they mean for your baby’s health.

Breast milk colors and their causes

1. Colostrum: yellow or golden Colostrum, produced in the first few days after birth, is often yellow or golden. Colostrum, produced in the first few days after birth, is often yellow or golden. This color is due to its high content of carotenoids, the quantity of which depends on the mother’s diet, and which are essential for boosting the newborn’s immune system and protecting its mucous membranes.
2. Transitional milk: yellow to white. After a few days, colostrum turns into transitional milk, which gradually becomes whiter thanks to the casein it contains. However, breast milk is less white than cow’s milk because it contains less casein (and is therefore much easier to digest). In fact, this molecule agglomerates with its counterparts to form micelles that reflect light in white.
3. Mature milk: white to blue Mature milk can appear white, sometimes with a bluish tinge. For example, milk at the beginning of a feed is often more watery and translucent, which can give it a slightly blue appearance. This variation is normal and linked to the high water content at the start of the feed.
4. Food-related variations: Orange
   • Orange: Eating carrots, squash, or other beta-carotene-rich vegetables can give milk an orange hue.
   • Green: Green vegetables like spinach or eating seaweed can color milk green.
   • Pink: Eating beet can turn milk pink. However, the presence of blood due to cracked nipples can also color milk pink or red.
5. Influence of medication: Black
   • Black: Taking minocycline, an antibiotic, can color milk black.
   • Green: Propofol, an anesthetic, can turn milk green.
   • Red: Antibiotics such as rifampicin can turn milk red.
   • Blue: Covid-19 vaccine can turn milk blue.
6. Other causes
   • Red-Brown (Rusty Hose Syndrome): This coloring can occur due to the presence of blood in the milk ducts, often observed after childbirth.
   • Pink (Serratia marcescens infection): A bacterial infection can turn milk bright pink. This situation requires medical consultation to treat the infection.
   • Sick baby or mother: breast milk can also change color when the mother has an infection. Continued breastfeeding is recommended. The baby will benefit from antibodies against the mother’s infection to protect him. What’s more, breast milk also adapts to the baby’s state of health. When the baby is ill, thanks to the contact of its saliva with the mother’s nipple, the composition of breast milk can adapt to enable the baby to react against the illness it has contracted. Breast milk may also change color in this case.

Meaning and impact on health

The color of breast milk, although varied, does not generally indicate a health problem for either mother or baby. Here are some key points to remember:

• Safety and consumability: Most color variations do not compromise the nutritional quality of the milk and are safe for the baby.
• Consult a professional: If you are concerned about the color of your milk, particularly if it is accompanied by other symptoms (pain, fever), it is advisable to consult a health professional to rule out any underlying problems.
• Continue breast-feeding: Even in the presence of color variations, it’s often advisable to continue breast-feeding, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Conclusion

The color of breast milk can vary according to many factors, including your diet, medications and normal physiological conditions. These variations are generally normal and harmless. However, if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional or lactation consultant for personalized advice.