What is the normal taste and color of breast milk?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Hoang Thi Anh Tuyet - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Breast milk has a very distinctive taste unlike any other formula. Sometimes, some women notice some strange signs of taste and color in the nutritious breast milk that is supplied to the baby. So what does breast milk taste like, what color and what is good breast milk?

1. What does breast milk taste like?

In general, breast milk is considered normal when it has a characteristic aroma, light taste, not too salty or sweet. Especially, when the baby is just born, the source of breast milk at this time (colostrum) is still very thick and fragrant, then it will start to gradually loosen. Breast milk is not the same as cow's milk, goat's milk or any other formula. Therefore, it is not possible to compare and base these milk forms to assess whether breast milk is abnormal or not.
In fact, the taste of breast milk will be very different depending on each woman's body, as well as their diet during breastfeeding. The type of food a mother consumes can greatly affect the taste of her milk. Sometimes, milk will taste too salty or too sweet for the usual blandness. If breast milk has been expressed and stored in the environment, the aroma and taste of the milk will also be changed, it may be fishy, ​​stronger or more acidic than in the beginning.

2. Factors affecting the taste of breast milk

The difference in the diet of each woman will lead to the milk secreted taste not the same. The following foods will have a direct effect on the original properties of breast milk, including:
Strong spices such as pepper, chili, garlic : Causes similar strong odors that change the taste of breast milk Food Canned and processed foods: The very high sodium content in these foods gives milk a salty taste Bananas, cereals and fruits: This is a source of nutrients that not only help milk, but also make milk fragrant. Besides nutrition, the body is also the reason why breast milk tastes different. For example:
Enzyme that digests lipase: If the mother's body contains a lot of this substance, it will make milk taste similar to soap after being expressed. Lactose: This is a component of carbohydrate sugar with high concentration. in the blood when the mother is well-nourished and makes the milk taste sweet.

3. What color breast milk is good?

Normally, breast milk will be milky or slightly yellow in color. However, this is not always correct as breast milk will change color with time, time of day and the foods the mother eats. Depending on the stage, breast milk will change rapidly in both composition and color as follows:
Colostrum : Milk at the end of pregnancy and the first few days after birth. Because colostrum contains a lot of beta-carotene, pale yellow or orange breast milk is common. Transitional Milk: Milk in the next stage of colostrum. At this time, breast milk increases in quantity as well as changes in color, from yellow to white. Mature Milk: About two weeks after birth, breast milk has matured. The amount of first milk in the day is usually light green, young green or turns white. However, in later feedings, breast milk darkens and turns white or opaque yellow (last milk). So it can be seen, what color breast milk is good will depend on each different stage. Yellow, white or light green breast milk are also considered normal if they match each of the time points listed above.

4. Why is breast milk strange color?

Besides the time factor, the color of breast milk is also greatly influenced and influenced by certain foods, herbs, supplements or drugs. Sometimes, mothers will see a different color of milk, but do not panic. You can compare with your recent nutrition to see what color of breast milk is good, normal or dangerous. Specifically:
Green breast milk: If a woman eats a lot of dark green vegetables or uses some herbs, it is understandable that the milk is green, and the baby can be breastfed normally. Pink, orange and red breast milk: Similar to the above, foods with these colors such as beets, carrots, gac or fruit juice, soft drinks also change the color of milk. There is no need to stop breastfeeding in this case. Brown, rust-colored breast milk: Most likely a little bit of blood has been mixed into the breast milk, but it is not harmful to the baby. Most milk will automatically return to its normal color within a few days. But if the condition persists for more than a week, women can go to the hospital for a checkup. Milk splits into two colors: This phenomenon occurs when women express milk into bottles/bags and store breast milk in the refrigerator. This is not a sign that the milk has gone bad, so you can mix it well or shake the bottle gently to continue giving it to your baby. Yellow breast milk: In addition to the natural yellow color, when stored in the freezer, milk will also have a yellow color. Black breast milk: The antibiotic Minocin (minocycline) is thought to be related to this color in breast milk. Experts around the world do not recommend the use of antibiotics during breastfeeding. Therefore, women should consult their doctor before taking any medication to ensure it is safe for both mother and child.
Around the issue of what color breast milk is good or what it tastes like, nutritionists consider the pale taste, cool aroma and yellow or white color of breast milk to be considered the standard. However, how good breast milk is depends on the meal, time and location of each woman. Breastfeeding women should supplement with a scientific diet, combined with reasonable living habits and adequate rest to enhance milk production for the baby. Regardless of the taste and color of breast milk, breast milk is still the best source of food for the first few months of a baby's life. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended, especially for babies under 6 months of age.
If you need to learn in-depth about how to care for and protect babies, as well as minimize the risk of diseases for babies, mothers can seek advice from doctors at General Hospital Vinmec International. For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the International General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.