Janet Ogundepo
Senior nutrition experts have disproved a popular belief in Nigeria that regular consumption of pap, ogi or akamu after childbirth boosts breast milk production.
They clarified that there was no scientific evidence supporting the claim, emphasising that staying properly hydrated by drinking water was important for nursing mothers.
The professors of nutrition further noted that frequent breastfeeding or latching was the key to increasing milk supply.
Their comments challenge cultural beliefs that drinking pap and palm wine enhances breast milk production.
Online checks by PUNCH Healthwise revealed that several entrepreneurs market and sell pap specifically targeted at nursing mothers, claiming it helps boost breast milk supply.
While some described it as a Lactation pap and added several spices and flavours that “would make the breast milk taste better and make babies want to breastfeed more,” some made videos of how to make the pap with bold claims of “Milk booster.”
Some entrepreneurs brand their product as “Lactation pap” or “Milk booster” and add spices and flavours with claims that it improves the taste of breast milk, which would encourage babies to breastfeed more.
However, a health blog, Johns Hopkins Medicine, stated that “breastfeeding foods” had no proof of increasing milk supply.
According to the World Health Organisation, breast milk is the ideal food for infants as it is safe, clean and contains antibodies that help to protect against childhood diseases.
It adds that breastfeeding was important to ensure optimal growth and development for increased chances of survival.
The health agency recommends that babies initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of life and be exclusively breastfed within the first six months.
To raise awareness and promote the benefits of breastfeeding, the WHO commemorates World Breastfeeding Week annually from August 1st to 7th.
This year’s theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
In August, WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund stated that only 48 per cent of infants worldwide have been exclusively breastfed in the past 12 years and called for an improvement in global breastfeeding rates.
Prof. Beatrice Ogunba
Commenting on the matter, a professor of Public Health Nutrition at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Beatrice Ogunba, stated that while pap is a liquid diet, drinking it purposely to increase breast milk supply cannot be scientifically proven.
She noted that proper hydration through adequate water intake and the frequent sucking of the breast by the infant were what could help in breast milk supply.
The professor said, “There is no scientific link between pap and breast milk production. There is no single food that has been proven to increase breast milk supply. Staying well-hydrated is important while breastfeeding. Water is the best option for staying hydrated. Drinking pap (since it’s a liquid diet) can help in hydration during breastfeeding.”
She advised mothers to always breastfeed their babies as much as they demanded, noting that it would further help in breast milk production.
Ogunba added, “What will increase milk supply include increased frequency of latching of the infant on the breast. That is, breastfeed on demand every two to three hours and at least eight times in 24 hours, ensure good attachment, offer both breasts at each feeding, empty your breasts at each feeding and be well relaxed.”
The researcher on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding asserted mothers should eat healthy nutritious foods such as protein-rich foods, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while breastfeeding.
Also, a professor of Human Nutrition & Dietetics at the Imo State University, Owerri, Olivia Afam-Anene, stated that taking pap as a ritual after childbirth had no link to breast milk production.
She noted that taking pap was only advisable because it was a liquid-based food, stating that sucking reflexes by the baby was what stimulated milk production.
The researcher on Maternal & Child Nutrition stated that “Suckling reflexes by the baby is what stimulates breast milk production so mothers should be advised to put their babies to the breast immediately after birth when the hormones estrogen and oxytocin levels are still high.”
Continuing, the don said, “Generally fluids help in increasing breast milk production and that’s where pap comes into play not that it should be taken after childbirth. A nutritious diet should be taken to enhance breast milk production.”
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