Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Breastmilk Ice Cream, Anyone?

Have you heard of Baby Gaga? No affiliate to Lady Gaga I'm sure. It is an ice cream made from breastmilk! An ice cream parlor in London introduced this new type of ice cream just recently (late Feb 2011).

So, what was your first reaction? Probably like many others, "Ewwwwww". However, there are people that are all for it.

Okay, let's be rational and look at both sides of the coin.

What's good about it?
  • The owner argues that it is "pure, natural, organic and free range." And if it is good for our kids, then why should we think otherwise.
  • It tastes just like ice cream. Even melts in your mouth. Well, that's what someone said. Of course I haven't tried it.
  • It doesn't come from cows that have been injected with hormones.
  • Get paid for your breastmilk. Mothers who gave their breastmilk for the ice cream earned 15 Pounds for every 10 ounces of milk. If you're a lactating mom and you need cash, this is good news I guess.
What's not that great about it?
  • It's expensive!!! 14 Pounds (USD23) for a martini glass of ice cream. Not sure if I would fork out that much money for that little bit of ice cream.
  • Pure and natural may not be so safe afterall. The local government has stopped the sale of breastmilk ice cream for now because there are health concerns such as Hepatitis virus that can be transmitted via breastmilk.
Will I eat it?
Ummm... NO! You can list down all the benefits of it but I don't think I can bring myself to eat it. My head may say it is okay but I don't think my body will want it.

To me, breastmilk is for babies. They need it. Give it to them. Let's not take that and commercialize it. I was reading other people's comments about this breastmilk ice cream and someone over here said:
"There's nothing wrong with human milk but considering that there are malnurished babies and babies being poisoned by melamine-tainted formula powder, it seems a bit over-the-top to be making gourmet ice-cream out of it, don't you think?"
Yeah, I second what she says. Why not channel that extra breastmilk to other babies who need it instead of giving it to adults who obviously have out grown it.

To me, cows and other animals were given by God for the use of mankind: for food and raiment. So, to drink cow's milk is not disgusting to me, but drinking another woman's breastmilk just doesn't seem right.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking to start an argument here about whether we should or should not eat breastmilk ice cream. Everyone is entitled to their own preference.

I asked my kids if they would? 2 said yes, 1 said no. I'm sure babyK will give an astounding yes :)

So, would you?






2 comments:

  1. I really just want to learn how to make it at home for my baby! I think that would be the best way to keep my baby consuming my breast milk after he gets to be old enough to eat other foods, and to stay away from the stigma of breastfeeding a toddler. They say that you should breast feed your child for as long as possible, but most people look at you sideways after the baby is over a year old in America. So since I breast fed my first born until she was 14 months old, and am now currently breastfeeding my 3 month old newborn, I could make this at home and re-introduce it into my 4 year old's diet, and also give it to my baby in a few more weeks! That to me is an exciting idea!

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  2. Hi Anngelina,
    What an interesting idea. If you do find out how to do it, let me know.

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