Green Breastmilk
photo by Dr. Jorge Colomer, Hospital de la Plana, Castellón Valencia, Spain
At times, human milk comes in surprising colors. These samples of milk were obtained from the same mother on day 2, day 3, and day 4 post delivery (left to right). The greenish tint has several possible etiologies, none of which are dangerous to the newborn. During the marked proliferation of lactiferous tissue during early lactation, some red blood cells may leak into the milk from the mothers' circulation and create discoloration (rusty pipe syndrome), a likely cause of the discoloration in this case. Spontaneous resolution is expected in several days. In the photo above, clearing of the milk has already occurred by day 4. Other suspected causes of green milk include seaweed (especially when ingested in tablet form), green-colored sports drinks, herbal vitamins, and iron tablets.
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