Quality of Expressed Milk?

[Mason's Mommy]

Hi Gang,

This may sound strange, but here it goes...

I pumped yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks after returning from vacation and the milk I got out of my right breast seems to be thin and a little greenish/blueish.  The milk expressed from my left breast was normal.  I have not noticed this before and am wondering if maybe something is wrong.  Is it possible to have something occur where the milk should not be fed to the baby?  I know I am likely making more of it than necessary, but its strange.  I have not eaten anything odd and am not taking any meds.  The only thing I can say is going on is that I have had a bad cold/flu for a week.  But, I am not taking anything but tylenol for it.

Any thoughts?  Even if you just think I am being a freak? 

Thanks,

Laurie

[daisymelan]

I have no idea what it could be, but I am quite interested in what you find out.

Umm.... and maybe a little freakish!        LOL

[Samuel's mum]

A greenish/blue tinge is apparently quite normal.

Here's a quote from the LLL website:
The color of human milk can vary. Colostrum is generally yellow to yellow- orange. The transition from colostrum to mature milk can take about two weeks to complete. During that time, the color changes gradually to a bluish white color. However, the color of mature milk may change because of mother's diet or medications. Food dyes used in carbonated sodas, fruit drinks, and gelatin desserts have been associated with milk that is pink or pinkish orange. Greenish milk has been linked to consuming green- colored sports beverages, seaweed, or large amounts of green vegetables. One woman consuming a certain prescription medication reported black milk. Frozen milk may look yellowish.

I think there's bound to be some variation depending on which breast you used last. I don't think you have reason to panic.

[Mason's Mommy]

Thanks guys!  That makes me feel much better.  I tossed the milk I pumped anyway, just to be sure.  I will definately be watching the milk that comes out of that breast closely tho.  I dont remember eating a large amount of veggies...   

Laurie

[momtoelise]

Just thought I'd let you know that you're not a "freak." 

I pump occasionally & I've noticed that my milk looks kind of blue sometimes.  I've actually noticed it that way more if I pump later in the day, whereas earlier in the day it looks thicker & more yellowish, if any color.  Maybe it becomes less fatty & more thin as the day goes on...

Anyway, I've always fed dd the bluish milk & there have been no problems!

[evelyn]

Yip! I got greenish milk yesterday too!  I had read somewhere though that it is ok, so will use it anyway.

[deenz]

Sounds more like the foremilk that you pumped, and the milk you got from your left breast was more hindmilk.  Had you recently fed off the left breast?

An LC told me that there can be big colour variation in bm, it's just that we usually don't see it to notice!

[Katet]

My ebm, has always been quite creamy, although occasionally blueish...when ds#1 was in daycare there was another mum who supplied ebm & her milk always looked bluish & much thinner than mine... our boys were the same age & Aiden was about 2x the size 
The carers used to comment that they looked so different... but as the other Mum's sister was a LC, I'm pretty sure there can't have been a problem.

[JacobMarksMummy]

No definatly dont worry. I used to find my ebm looked alot different to my friends. Hers was slightly greeny, both our boys are the same size/age and both are perectly healthy 

[Jennifer2e]

I would have had a nervous breakdown tossing the EBM.