Why Does Breastmilk Change Colour?

Breastmilk is amazing because it isn't a fixed recipe. Its composition changes throughout your breastfeeding journey and can even change from day to day.

Many mums are surprised to discover that breastmilk isn't always white. It can naturally range from creamy white to yellow, golden, blueish or even slightly green.

One of the biggest reasons frozen breastmilk appears yellow is because the fat separates from the liquid during storage. This is completely normal and often becomes more noticeable the longer the milk has been frozen. I find once thawed it usually lightens to a more typical milky colour.

The stage of breastfeeding can also affect the colour. Colostrum, often called "liquid gold", is naturally much more yellow due to its higher concentration of nutrients.

What you eat can sometimes play a role too. Foods rich in beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes and squash, can occasionally give breastmilk a more yellow or golden appearance. I still remember being convinced my eyes were playing tricks on me when my milk looked blue one morning after a blue WKD the night before!

Even the time of day can make a difference. Breastmilk is constantly adapting to meet your baby's needs, which means colour variations are perfectly normal.

Does Yellow Breastmilk Mean It's Gone Bad?

Not at all.

In most cases, yellow breastmilk is simply a result of natural fat separation or the composition of the milk itself.

As long as the milk has been stored safely and hasn't developed mould, the colour alone doesn't affect whether it can be used for breastmilk jewellery.

In fact, some of the most beautifully creamy breastmilk stones I've made have come from milk that looked quite yellow when it arrived. My favourite combination is a yellowy coloured milk with a touch of gold shimmer, it looks so beautiful when the sun hits it!