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Pap, palm wine do not enhance flow of breast milk – says Physician
A physician, Dr Agnes Nwoke, has said that the cultural practice of consuming palm wine or pap by nursing mothers do not enhance the flow of breast milk.
Nwoke, who works with St. Charles Clinic in Urum, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka on the sideline of the commemoration of 2021 World Breastfeeding Week.
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”.
The physician said there was the need to demystify the myth about the effect of palm wine or pap on breastfeeding.
According to her, breast milk production obeys the law of demand and supply.
“It is not the amount of fluid taken via pap or palm wine, it is the intensity of suckling and time of suckling that help the nursing mother to produce more milk.
“The more the breast is emptied, the more it produces or flows with milk.
“Also mothers should breast feed more at night because the hormone called prolactin functions more at night as it contributes to high flow of breast milk,” she said.
Nwoke said that palm wine contained alcohol on the average up to six per cent, saying it might have sedative effects which can make mothers and even the babies to sleep.
“When a nursing mother takes palm wine, the alcohol in the palm wine gets into the breast milk and it can make the baby to be agitated or sleep and unable to suck.
“Palm wine does not enhance the flow of breast milk, it is a cultural practice, not medically proven.
“Breast flow is, however, increased by staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet, putting baby to breast on demand, resting and having enough sleep.
“Breastfeeding is important for the optimal nourishment, immunity, growth and development of the infant, “Nwoke said.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a recent statement highlighted ways to support mothers to have adequate breast milk production after delivery.
The statement urged health workers to encourage women to take plenty of water during pregnancy and lactation as well as examine and encourage breast care during pregnancy.
It said that health workers should help mothers put their babies to breast within one hour of delivery and ensure suckling until breast milk starts flowing.
It also discouraged giving water or any fluid or infant formula to babies in the first six months, saying that breast milk is a complete food that contains all the water the baby needs in the first six months of life. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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