Breast Milk Colours: Why Your Milk Can Look Different

Breast milk doesn't always look the way we expect. Most of us picture something white and creamy, so it can be a surprise to see yellow, bluish or even green-tinged milk in your bottle. In most cases these changes are an everyday part of feeding and pumping. Here's a quick guide to why your milk can look different from one day, or one session, to the next.

Why Breast Milk Can Look Yellow

Your first milk, colostrum, is usually thicker and more yellow than the milk that comes later. It's often called "liquid gold".

Food can play a part too. Foods high in beta-carotene, like carrots and sweet potatoes, can give milk a yellow or orange tinge, and that's nothing to worry about.

Why Breast Milk Looks White

Over the first couple of weeks after birth, colostrum gradually changes into mature milk, and the colour shifts from yellow to white. White or creamy milk is simply what mature milk usually looks like.

Why Breast Milk Can Look Bluish

The milk at the start of a feed or pumping session is often thinner and can look slightly blue. As the session goes on, the milk becomes creamier and whiter or more yellow. If you pump, you might notice this change in your bottle as you go.

Why Breast Milk Can Look Green

Green milk can come from eating green foods such as leafy greens or a green smoothie. It's just a reflection of what's on your plate.

Why Breast Milk Can Look Pink or Orange

Brightly coloured foods and drinks, like beetroot or a strawberry smoothie, can give milk a pink or orange tint. If you've had something colourful in the last day or so, that's a likely reason.

What Is the "Normal" Colour of Breast Milk?

There's a wide range of normal. Colour can vary from one mum to another and even from one session to the next. Yellowish milk in the first few days is common, and mature milk can range from pale white to slightly bluish to creamy.

Why Stored Milk Separates

If you've stored expressed milk in the fridge, you'll probably notice it separates into a creamy layer on top and a thinner layer underneath. This is normal. Give the container a gentle swirl before feeding to mix it back together. For warming tips, see our guide on whether you can reheat breast milk.

Trust Your Instincts

Most colour changes are an ordinary part of feeding. If you notice a colour you can't link to anything you've eaten, or if something doesn't feel right, talk to your midwife, GP or a lactation consultant.

FAQs

Why is my breast milk so watery?

The milk at the start of a session is usually thinner, and milk can look more watery the longer it has been between feeds. The milk later in the session tends to be creamier.

How can I tell if stored breast milk has gone off?

Milk that has gone off usually has a sharp, sour smell and taste that's noticeably different from fresh milk. If you notice this, it's best to throw it out. Keeping track of storage times and keeping your pump parts, bottles and bags clean helps your milk stay fresh. Our guide to cleaning breast pump flanges walks you through it step by step.

Does my diet change the colour of my milk?

It can. Orange, green and red foods and drinks can all tint your milk for a while. It usually goes back to its usual colour once the food has passed through.