FISH & PAPAYA SOUP : A TRADITIONAL MILK BOOSTER

If you think you have low milk supply, your doctor or lactation consultant will advise you to increase the number of feeds and allow your baby to breastfeed as long as she needs. In the Chinese community, the pui yuet will most likely be at the stove, brewing up a pot of traditional fish and papaya soup. This dish has long been believed to help a new mother increase her breastmilk supply. 

Soups are a big feature during the Chinese confinement period. The most basic version of this soup calls for very simple ingredients: fish, young or green papaya, ginger, water and salt. These ingredients are boiled together until the water turns a 'milky' colour. 

Will fish and papaya soup really boost my milk supply?

While the effectiveness of the fish and papaya soup has never been verified by evidence based research, fish is a good source of protein, and papayas are packed with minerals and vitamins A, C and E. Combined, they provide a healthy and nutritious meal for anyone. 

"There is no strong objection to a mother having the soup as part of a diet for a breastfeeding mum. It is rich in protein, vitamins A and C, as well as beta carotene," says one lactation consultant. "However, I would suggest that the mother maintains a well-balanced diet, with everything in moderation and having a lot of variety in each food group. Keeping a healthy lifestyle helps, too." 

If you are concerned about your milk supply, speak to your doctor or a lactation consultant. Also, look out for signs that your baby is getting enough milk to help ease your worries. 

BabyCenter mum Gillian Koh-Tan shares her experience: "I didn't follow traditional confinement practices strictly, but my mother-in-law came over every day with a fresh batch of fish and papaya soup. The soup was tasty and nutritious, and I loved having a bowl of it with each meal. I don't know if it was the soup but I certainly never had supply problems and I was able to breastfeed my baby exclusively for six months." 

How do I make fish and papaya soup?

Gillian's mother-in-law, Madam Tan Li Cheng shares her recipe with us. 

Ingredients

• 500 grams of fish bones (preferable to use threadfin - kurau - fish bones)
• 500 grams of green papaya (the flesh of the fruit is white)
• 3 litres of water
• 4 slices of ginger (this will help cut down any fishy taste or smell)
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 3 stalks of spring onion
• Salt to taste

Directions

• Boil the water, then add ginger, garlic and spring onion.
• Cut the papaya into small slices. Discard seeds.
• Pour boiling water over the green papaya to remove sap, then drain.
• Combine the fish bones into the boiling pot, followed by the green papaya.
• Turn down the fire, leave to boil for about half an hour to reduce.

This should yield about three rice bowls of soup. 


Credit:babycenter

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** These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.