Emily Oster

1 min Read Emily Oster

Emily Oster

Why Is My Breast Milk a Weird Color?

Q&A on nursing

Emily Oster

1 min Read

Why does my breast milk sometimes look blue? Is there any color breast milk I should worry about?

—Smurf mom

To begin with, blue: This most commonly happens in the morning, or at the start of a nursing session, when your breasts are fuller and the milk has a lower fat composition. Because the milk is thinner, the refracted light off it makes it appear blue. It’s fine! There is nothing to worry about. You’re not a Smurf.

There are many other normal colors. White, obviously. Yellow (more fat). Green (if you eat green foods or algae supplements). 

child taking milk
Nathan Dumlau / Unsplash

The two colors you want to pay attention to are red and black. Red or pink breast milk is generally a sign of blood, or possibly eating too many beets. This is unlikely to be a serious issue, but it is one you want to raise to your provider.

Black breast milk is rare, and typically reflects a reaction to medication, but it is something you do not want to ignore. If you see this, call your doctor. 

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