Things That Affect Breast Milk Color

It’s normal for your breast milk to vary in color day-to-day, and even be tinged with various colors like blue, green, or pink. So, what causes this?

Have you ever noticed that your pumped breast milk looks a little different from one day to another? You’re not crazy! In fact, it’s totally normal for your breast milk to vary in color day-to-day, and even be tinged with various colors like blue, green, or pink. So, what causes this?

A lot of it has to do with the foods you’re eating. Certain foods, herbs, medications, and dyes (think neon green Gatorade!) can change the color of your breast milk. And while it can be strange, it’s usually completely harmless. Read on to see what might be turning your breast milk into a rainbow of colors.

​​​​​​​Clear or Blue Breast Milk

Usually blueish or clear, watery breast milk is indicative of “foremilk.” Foremilk is the first milk that flows at the start of a pumping (or nursing) session and is thinner and lower in fat than the creamier, whiter milk you see at the end of a session.

Yellow Breast Milk

There are several reasons you might see breast milk with a yellow hue.

• You just started breastfeeding. Colostrum, which is the highly-concentrated and nutritious first milk your body makes after giving birth, is often thick and yellow in color.
• You’re getting your share of beta-carotene. Vegetables like carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes are high in this vitamin, and may color your breast milk slightly yellow or orange.
• Your breast milk is frozen. Sometimes freezing breast milk can turn it slightly yellow.

​​​​​​​Green Breast Milk

Have you been knocking back a lot of green smoothies? If your breast milk has a green tint, it’s likely because you’ve been loading up on lots of green veggies like spinach, seaweed, and kale. Oh, and that green Gatorade (or other food dyes) can play a role, too.

Red or Pink Breast Milk

If you’re pumping pink, red, or rust-tinged breast milk, it could be caused by a couple of things:

• Again, you may have consumed food or drinks that are naturally red or pink, like beets, or made with artificial dyes, like orange soda or red Jell-O.
• You may have a small amount of blood in your breast milk. Don’t panic! Having blood in your breast milk is typically caused by a rupture in a blood capillary or cracked nipples, and is not harmful to your baby. In most cases, the bleeding will go away on its own in a few days. But be sure to keep an eye on it and call your doctor if you have any concerns, or if there’s more than trace amounts of blood in your breast milk. If the bleeding doesn’t go away in a couple of days, or if it is more than a trace amount, call your health provider.

Black Breast Milk

Pumping black breast milk can be shocking, to say the least. But If you have chocolate-brown or blackish milk, it’s most likely due to some residual blood or it could possibly be due to a medication. Always talk to your health care provider about any herbs or medications you’re taking to make sure they’re safe while breastfeeding.

While it’s always a little strange to see oddly-colored breast milk, remember that the cause is often just something you ate. So try not to stress out and instead, focus on the amazing thing you’re doing for your baby.