19/01/2026
🍼 Have you ever wondered why your breastmilk may vary in colour? 🤍💛💙
Human milk comes in a wonderful variety of colours. If you express or pump, you may notice your milk doesn’t always look the same — unlike formula, which is always uniform. That’s because human milk is dynamic ✨
Its composition and appearance can change throughout the day, and even during a single feed or pumping session.
Breastmilk may appear white, yellow, clear, or even have a blue tint. Diet, storage, and normal changes in your body can all play a role. Here are some common and normal variations 👇
🥕 Yellow or orange milk
Diets high in yellow-orange vegetables (such as carrots or squash) can increase carotene levels, giving milk a yellow or orange hue. This is completely harmless to babies.
🧃 Pink or pink-orange milk
Some food dyes found in fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, or jelly desserts may tinge milk pink.
🥬 Greenish milk
This has been linked to eating large amounts of green vegetables such as spinach.
❄️ Frozen milk
Previously frozen milk may look more yellow — this is normal.
🌸 Pinkish milk (blood-tinged)
This can indicate a small amount of blood in the milk, sometimes due to cracked or sore ni***es (though it can occur without pain).
Seeing blood can be alarming, but it is not harmful to babies, and you can usually continue breastfeeding. If cracked ni***es are present, a Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Counsellor, or Peer Supporter can help with healing strategies.
If bleeding continues or you feel concerned, please contact your healthcare provider.
🤎 Brown or rust-coloured milk
This may be due to Rusty Pipe Syndrome. During pregnancy and the early days after birth, increased blood flow and breast changes can cause small amounts of blood to leak into the milk ducts. This usually settles within a few days as milk flow increases, and it is safe to continue feeding your baby.
👶 Blood in baby’s vomit or poo
This can be very frightening, but it is often swallowed blood from breastmilk rather than your baby’s own blood. If you are worried at any point, always seek advice from your healthcare provider.
💬 Remember: Breastmilk changes because it’s living, responsive nutrition — perfectly designed for your baby 💞
If you have concerns or would like personalised feeding support, I’m here to help.
