What color should breast milk be?

Worrying about your breast milk's color is very natural, especially if this is your first time being a mother. But I want you to know: breast milk's color isn't normally a single color and can change from week to week, even from feeding to feeding.

Here are common colors and what they mean:

* Yellowish / Creamy: Especially in the first days after birth (colostrum) it's very thick and yellow. This is the most valuable, antibody-rich food for your baby. Completely normal.

* White / Bluish-white: This is the typical color of mature milk. The "foremilk" that comes at the start of a feeding can be more watery and bluish; the "hindmilk" that comes later is creamier and whiter. Both are needed for your baby.

* Green: If the mother eats lots of green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard, broccoli), drinks something with green color, or takes certain vitamin supplements, it can make milk greenish. Usually not a cause for concern.

* Orange / Pink: The most common reason is the mother eating lots of red/orange vegetables and fruits (carrot, squash, beet). Sometimes a small drop of blood from a crack in the nipple can give milk a pink or rust-colored tone. This usually isn't harmful to baby and passes in a few days.

* Light Brown / Chocolate Color: This is also usually from blood in the breast (from a crack or damaged blood vessel) and is temporary.

So when should you worry?

If you see dark red, bright red, or black-colored milk, this continues, or if you have breast pain, swelling, or fever along with this, definitely see a doctor.

But generally:

A rainbow of colors in breast milk is completely normal. It's a sign that your body and diet are preparing an amazing mix for your baby. If baby is content, nursing well, and diapers are regular, you don't need to worry about most color tones. 💛