World Breastfeeding Week: 4 Amazing Facts You Might Not Know About Breastmilk

It’s World Breastfeeding Week so we’re highlighting 4 amazing facts you might not know about breastmilk, from its nutritional benefits to the way it changes color. Let’s dive in…

4 amazing facts you might not know about breastmilk:

1. Breastmilk changes to meet baby’s needs 

During the first year of breastfeeding especially, your breastmilk changes based on baby’s needs! Here’s some times when your milk might change: 

• When baby is going through a growth spurt, they can feed more and that actually increases the fat content in the milk! 

• When baby is sick. You might have heard that breast milk can help boost baby’s immune system in general as it’s full of antibodies and important proteins. But there’s also evidence to suggest that when they’re sick or have been exposed to an illness, the make-up of your breastmilk will actually change to help them fight it off. One study found that when a baby had an active infection the white blood cell content of mamas breastmilk increased. Another study found that leukocytes (a type of white blood cells) increased “significantly” when either a breastfeeding mama or their baby was ill. How amazing is that?! 

2. Breastmilk can change color

Have you ever noticed that your breastmilk looks yellow, blue, pink, or even green?! Well, you weren’t imagining it! There’s no “normal” color for breastmilk and it can change based on a few different things: 

• You’ve just given birth. Many women notice that their breastmilk is thicker and more yellow in the days following birth and that's called colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce after delivery and it’s rich in antibodies for baby. 

• Your diet. Did you know that if you eat lots of green veg that color can show up in your breastmilk?! Same goes for red or pink foods like berries or beets, and even orange or yellow foods like carrots or sweet potatoes. 

• Freezing breastmilk. The color of your breasmilk can change after you freeze it. It might start off with a white appearance and then change to a more yellow color, which is normal & still safe for baby to have.

• How many minutes you’ve been feeding. When you start pumping or breastfeeding, you might notice a blue-ish tinge to your milk. This milk is called “foremilk” and is often thinner because it contains less fat and more electrolites. As the nursing sessions goes on your milk will become thicker and contain more fat to fill baby up – resulting in a creamier white or yellow colour.

• You’re taking medication. Sometimes the medications you take can change the color of your breastmilk – this may even be a black or brown color if you’re taking antibiotics like minocycline. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re breastfeeding before taking medication — some are still safe even if they change the color of your milk. 

• There’s blood in your milk. If your milk is red or pinkish, it could be a sign that there is blood in your milk. This doesn’t always indicate a problem and trace amounts of blood in your breast milk could be an indication of cracked nipples that bleed or a broken capillary in your breast milk. If your milk doesn’t return to its usual color in a few days then talk to your doctor as it could be a sign of a breast infection. 

3. Breastmilk can change flavor 

Yes… baby can taste what you had for lunch! Typically, breastmilk tastes something like sweet almond milk but it can change based on what you eat throughout the day. One study found that eating raw garlic changed the smell of breast milk in some mothers, whilst another study noted that the flavor of menthol lasted longest, whilst the taste of banana was found in breastmilk up to an hour after it was eaten by mama.

More research is needed to know if exposing baby to flavors in your breastmilk impacts their palette as they get older – but one study noted that babies’ who’s mothers often ate carrots whilst they were breastfeeding preferred carrot-flavor cereal to normal cereal – so maybe it’s worth having lots of veggies in your diet if you’re able to breastfeed!

4. Breastmilk is different in the morning than it is in the evening 

Just like we have breakfast and dinner, your baby’s getting different milk at different times of the day. It’s thought that many women have a greater volume of milk in the early hours of the day when mama has higher levels of prolactin, the hormone that helps produce milk.

In the evening, breastmilk actually has more melatonin to help baby sleep. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that becomes active at night. When the sun goes down, melatonin is released into your bloodstream and you begin to feel less alert and ready to hit the hay. This hormone can be passed on to your baby through breastmilk, so the thought is that even before babies have a concept of day or night, breastmilk can help them learn when it’s time to sleep.

One small study found that infants who breastfed had improved sleep and reduced colic symptoms, and they attributed it to naturally occurring melatonin that is passed through breastmilk. The thought is that the breastmilk you produce at night has higher levels of melatonin, and passing that on to baby through feedings supports better sleep at night. Larger scale studies have not been conducted to further verify this finding, but nonetheless, it’s a super cool concept!

What if I can’t, or choose not to, breastfeed?

We know that a lot of mamas don't breastfeed — whether by choice, due to latching issues, or for another personal reason. Remember, that's what breastfeeding is at the end of the day — a personal choice that you make for yourself and your baby. We have shared some of the most interesting science-backed facts about breastmilk to demonstrate how amazing the human body can be. But we also believe that a healthy feeding experience (physically and psychologically) is not one-size-fits-all. Ultimately, you'll be able to nourish and bond with your baby regardless of whether they are breastfed, bottle-fed, or formula-fed.

Check out all of our World Breastfeeding Week posts for advice from other mothers who are struggling to breastfeed, recipes for lactation cookies, and real mamas sharing their experiences of breastfeeding.

Have a question or want to share your story? Leave it in the comments!

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