Breast Milk Color Guide: What Every Shade Means

Of the many surprises of new motherhood, one you may not be prepared for is this truth bomb: breast milk color can change. Yes, it’s not always white, and that’s totally normal. It may appear more blue (called foremilk), turn yellow-orange after eating beta-carotene-rich foods, appear greener after eating spinach or consuming food dyes, or darken slightly with certain medications.

Other factors, beyond nutrition, such as time of day, pumping or freezing and underlying conditions, can result in different breastmilk colors. In this guide, we’ll cover: what each hue can mean, the range of “normal breast milk colors,” and simple cues for when something needs a closer look.

What Color Is Breast Milk Supposed to Be?

Standard breast milk is white to pale cream in color, but it can, and often does, shift for any number of reasons. If you notice a slightly blue or yellow-orange hue, it's thanks to foremilk vs hindmilk, diet, or storage. So what should breast milk look like? A small range of light hues; variation is common and usually normal.

Breast Milk Color Chart

Now that we’ve established that breast milk color can range from white to even blueish, let’s break down what each color means. Use this chart as a quick, visual guide to the phases of breast milk and shades you might see, from early colostrum to mature milk, along with their usual meanings and simple safety notes.

Yellow or Golden Milk: Colostrum and Transitional Milk

You may start producing breast milk as early as the second trimester. This first breast milk, called colostrum, is usually thick in consistency, has more protein and fat than mature breast milk, and is chock-full of antibodies and nutrients.

Often referred to as “liquid gold,” colostrum plays a crucial role in helping newborns develop their gut microbiome and immune system. 

After 2-5 days postpartum, you’ll likely start producing transitional milk - and a LOT more of it. By the third day, infants are eating anywhere between 300 and 400 ML every 24 hours. Transitional milk may still be slightly yellowish, but it’s usually creamy white and lasts between 7 and 14 days.

White or Cream-Colored Milk: The “Normal” Shade

By the end of the first postpartum month, you’re producing mature breast milk, which is primarily white or creamy pale and the most common type of breast milk. Mature breast milk is white because it has a lower percentage of protein, minerals, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, K) than colostrum. It’s still rich in nutrients your baby needs for at least the next six months.

While the normal breast color of mature milk is usually white or pale/creamy, factors like diet and time of day can cause variations.

Blue-Tinted Milk: Foremilk

Yes, mature milk is primarily white or a pale creamy color, but at the beginning of a feeding session, you may have noticed blue breast milk. That’s foremilk, and the color’s due to the higher water and lower fat content. Think of foremilk as a little natural energy drink (like coconut water!) for your baby, as it’s also higher in lactose, a type of sugar.

Foremilk vs Hindmilk

As the feed continues, milk naturally transitions to hindmilk, which is creamier and higher in fat, supporting the baby’s growth, steady energy, and brain development. Let the baby nurse until they are satisfied, so they get both without micromanaging the clock. 

Lactose overload refers to when the baby gets too much milk that’s low in fat content, which can result in green, frothy stools, flatulence, and a very upset baby.  

Green Milk: Diet or Supplements

Green breastmilk can result from a diet rich in green-colored foods, such as green vegetables, seaweed, green smoothies, or supplements containing green nutrients, like spirulina. Don’t worry, it’s not a weird breast milk color, and it’s actually quite common!

Pink or Red Milk: Blood or Cracked Nipples

Pink or reddish breast milk (sometimes called ‘strawberry milk’) indicates there’s blood present in your milk, which can be alarming. There can be several causes:

• Cracked nipples or broken capillaries
• Inflammation of the ducts (A condition called mastitis–other symptoms include pain, swelling and redness)
• A more serious infection called ‘Serratia marcescens,’ which can cause infection or sickness in infants

If you notice a pinkish hue in your milk, check your nipples for cracks. If there are no cracks and you don’t experience any pain or soreness, monitor your milk over the next few days. If the color remains reddish or pink, consult your doctor. If it’s due to a cracked nipple or mastitis, you can still safely breastfeed. 

Brown or Rusty Milk: “Rusty Pipe Syndrome”

Rust-colored milk is common in the first few days you’re breastfeeding because the ducts expand rapidly to produce milk. This causes small amounts of blood that can leak into your breastmilk in a condition called ‘rusty pipe syndrome.’ It should clear after a few days, and it’s safe to continue breastfeeding.

Black Milk: Rare, Linked to Certain Medications

Black or dark brown breast milk, while rare, can and does happen. It’s usually linked to certain medications, including oral minocycline, an antibiotic prescribed for acne. If your breastmilk is black, you should contact your doctor.

What If Your Breast Milk Looks Unusual?

Unusual is relative, as breast colors can vary based on a number of factors and, barring a few extenuating circumstances, all are normal! As long as you don’t have any pain, soreness or inflammation, there’s a good chance it’s fine and you're safe to keep breastfeeding. 

However, if you’re concerned, always go with your gut and ask your doctor.

Mastitis and Breast Milk Color: What to Watch For

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by milk stasis (restricted milk flow) or, in some cases, infection. It’s a fairly common condition, affecting about 10% of U.S. mothers and can cause changes in the color of your milk.

Common mastitis symptoms

• A sore, hard, or hot area; a visibly red “wedge” on the breast
• Swelling, warmth, and burning pain during feeds
• Fever or chills, flu-like body ache
• Nipple cracks or worsening tenderness
• Milk that looks pink/red or thick/yellow with clumps, or has an unusual odor

When to call your provider: If you have the above symptoms, and a fever or significant pain, or if pink breast milk or pus persists, if the red area spreads, or if things don’t improve within 24–48 hours

What Influences the Color of Breast Milk?

You’d be surprised just how many factors influence your breast milk color–diet, time of day, the baby’s latch, etc. If you’re about any changes in your breastmilk, quickly run through some of the usual suspects:

• Diet
• Hydration
• Time of day
• Medications or supplements
• Breast or nipple condition

Let’s quickly cover some of these factors and when you should be concerned. 

Your Diet and Hydration

What you eat and drink can affect the color and consistency of your breast milk. Of course, adequate hydration can and does help with milk volume and production. Additionally, what you eat can cause a green hue (lots of veggies) or even a yellowish/orange-ish hue (a diet high in beta-carotene). 

 Time of Day

Is there a difference between AM and PM breastmilk? Science says “yes!” Several studies have found differences in the levels of specific nutrients in breast milk expressed in the morning versus the evening. 

In the morning, breast milk contains more “get-up-and-go” hormones (called glucocorticoids, like cortisol) and milk fat increases during the day, peaking in the afternoon before dipping overnight. 

At night, your breast milk typically contains more melatonin and tryptophan, two hormones associated with sleepiness. Macronutrients like protein, carbs and lactose don’t change that much. These circadian rhythms are nature’s way of supporting your baby. TIP: If you pump, it may be worth noting the time so you can feed night milk at night and day milk during the day.

Medications and Supplements

Certain medications can cause breast milk discoloration, including some antibiotics and medicines used for surgical anesthesia. Some supplements can have the same effect; one in particular is spirulina, a greenish-blue bacterium high in protein and B vitamins. Unfortunately, there’s limited research on this topic, so we’re not fully aware of every medicine and supplement that may interfere with breast milk color. 

Breast Conditions or Injuries

Cracked or split nipples can cause “strawberry milk,” or pink/reddish-hued milk due to the presence of blood. Don’t worry, unless there are signs of an infection (painful, sore breasts, inflammation, etc.), it’s perfectly safe to continue breastfeeding, and with proper nipple care, it should clear up within a few days.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Wondering when to worry about the color of your breast milk? Here are signs to get professional advice. It’s always okay to see a doctor; all breast milk questions are valid, and a resource like an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant can also be helpful.

Consider seeing a doctor/specialist when your breast milk is:

• Black or very dark brown milk (possible medication effect).
• Pink/red milk that persists beyond a couple of days or increases.
• Foul or sour-smelling, or has visible pus/clumps.
• You have a fever, chills, a spreading red wedge, or significant breast pain/tenderness.
• Your baby refuses to feed, seems unusually sleepy, vomits blood-streaked milk, or isn’t gaining weight well.
• You have a Sudden colour change plus pain or worsening symptoms.

Even if you don’t have any of the above, any abnormal changes that worry you are reason enough to make that call. You know your body and what's normal, so trust your instincts.

FAQs About Breast Milk Colour

What colour is breast milk supposed to be?

Mature breast milk is primarily pale white or creamy. However, shades vary slightly (from blue to yellow or green) and are typically harmless. If you’re wondering, “Is my breast milk color normal?” Some daily variations are. Trust the big picture: baby’s comfort, growth, and your symptoms.

Why does my breast milk look green/pink/blue?

Breast milk isn’t always white; some of the variations include:

• Green often follows spinach, seaweed, or food dyes. 
• Pink/red usually indicates tiny amounts of blood from cracked nipples or small amounts of blood present in the first few days postpartum, known as “rusty pipe.” 
• Blue is common foremilk; thinner, lower fat at the start of a feed. 
• Some medications or bacteria can tint milk, though this is not as common

If you have symptoms like a fever or feel unwell, or the color doesn’t change back to the standard whitish hue, see your doctor.

Is it safe to feed my baby discoloured milk?

Usually, yes. If it’s diet-related (green/yellow) or blue foremilk, it’s safe and regular. Likewise, some blood is okay short-term. Don’t feed if milk smells sour/off, is black/dark from certain meds, or your baby seems unwell. If you are unsure or have persistent discolored milk, contact your doctor.

What colour is colostrum?

Colostrum (the first milk in days 1–3) is thick and golden yellow to orange from beta-carotene. It’s packed with antibodies and nutrients (liquid gold!). As supply ramps up, the colour lightens through transitional milk and settles into the paler cream/white range of mature milk.

Can mastitis change the colour of breast milk?

Yes. Mastitis (inflammation of the breast ducts) can cause pink/red milk from blood or yellowish, thick milk if there’s pus. Watch for pain, a hot red wedge, and fever or chills. Keep nursing/pumping for relief, and call your healthcare provider promptly if symptoms worsen.

Should I throw out breast milk that looks different?

Not necessarily, as regular breast milk can vary in color, check the storage time and smell; discard any milk that smells sour. If the milk is black/dark (possibly due to medication) or you suspect contamination/infection, pause and call your healthcare provider. Otherwise, you can use it as usual.