Why is my breast milk yellow? Can I still breastfeed if my breast milk is yellow?

Some mothers who exclusively breastfeed pay special attention to the quality of their breast milk. Today, let's talk about whether there is something wrong with the breast milk if the breast milk is yellow. Breast milk itself has subtle differences in color, and many mothers will worry about whether the quality of the breast milk is poor when they see the difference in the color of breast milk. Let's explain to you what is going on when breast milk turns yellow.

Milk turns yellow after refrigeration

Breast milk is usually stored in a refrigerator. Colostrum (milk expressed within 6 days after delivery) - can be stored at room temperature of 27-32 for 12 hours. Mature breast milk (milk expressed after 6 days after delivery) - can be stored at room temperature of 15 for 24 hours; 19-22 for 10 hours; 25 for 6 hours. The storage time is generally: 0-4 can be stored for 8 days in the refrigerator; if it is a small freezer box in the refrigerator, the storage period is two weeks; if it is a freezer separate from the refrigerator, but the door is often opened and closed to take items, the storage period is 3-4 months; if it is a deep freezer, the temperature is kept below 0 and the door is not often opened, the storage period is more than 6 months. Stored breast milk will decompose and look a little blue, yellow or brown, which is normal.

Why is the milk yellow?

High milk quality

The yellowing of breast milk during breastfeeding may also be due to the high quality of the mother's milk. Generally, the milk of a mother will be egg white in the first one or two days after she starts producing milk, and it will be yellow on the third or fourth day. After seven days, the milk will become mature and turn white. However, some mothers still have yellow milk after more than ten days. This shows that the mother has a good physique and high-quality milk, and the baby will feel full after eating.

Negative emotional impact

If breast milk turns yellow during breastfeeding, it may be that the mother's emotions affect milk secretion. If the mother is in good health, well-rested, in a good mood, and properly nourished, she will secrete more milk. If the mother is depressed, irritable, or fearful, she will secrete less milk and the color may be yellowish.

Can babies drink yellow colostrum?

It is normal for colostrum to be yellow. Generally, colostrum is very thick and light yellow. Of course, the mother should clean the nipples before breastfeeding. As long as the nipples are clean, the milk secreted from the breasts cannot be unclean. Young mothers must not be misled by the sayings of the elderly. Now some parents abandon human colostrum and feed their children cow colostrum, which is really putting the cart before the horse.

Yellow colostrum is not an unhealthy sign. New mothers can feed it to their children with confidence. I believe that as long as we insist on breastfeeding, we can better protect the health of our children.