Many young mothers do not know what breast milk should normally look like. They may be frightened when they see what they think is a strange color or stratification of the expressed fluid. This can affect breastfeeding. How can it be?
Features:
Its appearance changes constantly. The same can be said about its composition, read more about this in another article.
Colostrum does not look like mature milk. Milk can change throughout the day, and even during one feeding. Moreover, the composition as much as possible meets the needs of the crumbs during its development. For example, if a baby or mother is sick, more immune factors are found in milk.
During storage, it usually separates into two layers. This is how it differs from both the mixture and cow's milk. Even if you keep the expressed milk on the table for a short time at room temperature, you will see how it begins to separate into layers. In this case, the top layer of "cream" - more fatty milk - can be thin or thick.
It is important for every nursing mother to know:
- Any changes in color and consistency cannot indicate spoilage. A spoiled product will change its taste and smell.
- It is impossible to determine its fat content by the appearance of milk.
Options
Consistency
- The structure immediately after expression is more often homogeneous, but sometimes there are lumps.
- A watery or runny appearance is normal.
- Milk that has separated into layers can be homogenized by gently stirring it in the container with rotating movements (do not shake the product).
Colour
- Colostrum can be orange to light yellow in color. The density of such milk is increased, and it contains many antibodies.
- Mature milk can be white in color, but it can also be yellow, blue or creamy.
- Do not think that if it has a bluish tint, it is non-greasy and not nutritious. This color can be found in absolutely normal human milk.
- It can turn orange as well as greenish if a woman's diet contains foods that contain natural dyes. From carrot salad or pumpkin dishes on Mommy's menu, it can take on an orange tint. Broccoli, spinach, or seaweed may cause a greenish tinge.
- Also, the acquisition of a shade may be associated with the use of food with artificial colors or drugs.
- A pink tint often appears as a result of blood from damaged nipples or a burst capillary entering breast milk. This does not impair its characteristics in any way, so it can be given to a child. Often, the blood that gets into the milk settles at the bottom of the bag or container, so it is better to pour the product into another bottle and give the baby some of the milk without blood.
Mother's "front" milk is less fat, it differs greatly in color and consistency from the "back", which is why pediatricians advise using only one breast during one feeding.
Smell and taste
- The usual smell is sweetish, rather pleasant, milky.
- The taste is normally sweetish.
- The smell, as well as the taste, can be influenced by both the medicines that mom uses and the products on her menu.
