Tinted Milk??????

[LyndaManus]

Ok, this is a wierd one.  Hope this isn't TMI

This has been going on for a few weeks.  I noticed that when I pumped some bottles had a slightly greenish tint.  I immediately thought I hadn't properly cleaned my equipment and that there was mildew or something.  I threw away a portion of my stash and bought all new tubing for my pump (Medela Style Advance).  Tint was still their some times.  Tried single side pumping - same tubing and hook up on the pump into two separate fully sanitized bottles.  Right side pumped first came out slightly green - left side pumped second (all attachments the same) white as can be.  I have no doubts that he is getting the slightly greenish milk from me too 

Since changing out the tubing I have been feeding the milk to ds and he is fine (has been two weeks now).  When I say slight greenish tint I do mean very slight.  If you were to look at the bottle you wouldn't notice, but if you hold it up against a bottle from the other boob you can tell there is a difference. 

Now, this may be TMI, but I did taste both bottles and they both taste the same. 

Has anyone ever heard of or experienced this???  Is the milk hurting ds???  Should I do anything???  Obviously since I have been feeding ds the milk for a couple of weeks I am not super freaked out about it, but I am starting to wonder if I should be. 

[Samuel's mum]

Might this explain it:

http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,3wvl,00.html

Bluish-green is not uncommon under normal circumstances. One of the joys of pumping is you get to see all these interesting colours. Us non-pumpers miss out. I could be rainbow-coloured - who knows!! I can't explain one side being different but I don't think you should worry if you have no breast discomfort and he is feeding well.

[LyndaManus]

Thanks.  That does make me feel better.  Still bothered that it only happens on one side though.  I am sure it is not a big deal. 

[Samuel's mum]

I'm guessing it was a time issue. One had been drained differently more recently and left-overs of affected milk remained in the other.

[LyndaManus]

that is a good point.  I will have to pay attention to see if it is consistently the right side.

[bethann]

I'm guessing it was a time issue. One had been drained differently more recently and left-overs of affected milk remained in the other.

I would agree.  I pump and always notice the blueish-green color in the side that I didn't feed in last.  The side that was emptied sooner, is always more white- almost yellow white sometimes and thick like cream.  And the other side is so watery and blueish- sometimes a bit green, but mine is usually more blue.  It is funny though. But don't worry- it's just the "foremilk" vs. the "hindmilk" of which you've probably heard so much.

[jobi]

Even though its been a long time since i pumped, i remember it sometimes looking watery and blueish and i didn't even think anything of it

[clh]

Blue, green, yellow...  I've had them all here. I never single side pump, though, so I can't speak to different colors from different breasts.  The "which one was drained last" explanation seems to make sense, though.

[jbepko]

Yup....I have had green and blue...even red with a bad milking blister (OUCH!).

[LyndaManus]

Thank you to all.  I feel much better yet.  I don't know why I just assumed that somehow the milk was bad but couldn't figure out why.  I am sure all is good.