23/07/2025
Is Pap Enough for My Baby?
“But she loves her pap. She finishes everything. Why is she still not gaining weight?”
You’re not alone if you’ve ever asked this question.
Pap (ogi, akamu) is a trusted Nigerian staple — affordable, soft, easy to prepare, and babies enjoy it. But here’s the truth every mum needs to know:
👉🏽 Pap alone is NOT enough to meet your baby’s growing needs after 6 months.
Why? Let’s Break It Down:
Pap is mostly carbohydrates. It gives energy, but it’s very low in the key nutrients your baby needs to grow, build brain cells, and fight infections.
📉 100g of plain pap has:
Less than 1g of protein
Almost no fat
Very little iron, zinc, or vitamins
Almost no fiber
Meanwhile, from 6–24 months, babies need:
✅ Protein (for muscle and brain growth)
✅ Fat (for brain development and hormone production)
✅ Iron and Zinc (for immunity and strength)
✅ Vitamins (for healthy organs, skin, eyes, and blood)
✅ Fiber (for digestion and gut health)
So What Happens If You Rely on Only Pap?
Your baby may:
Look full but lack nutrients
Grow slowly or stop gaining weight
Fall sick often (malaria, diarrhea, cough)
Appear pale, weak, or irritable
Show signs of hidden hunger — enough calories, but missing key nutrients
What To Do Instead
Pap is not bad — but it must be enriched:
✅ Add protein: mashed boiled egg yolk, crayfish, unsweetened soy powder, fish powder, or milk
✅ Add healthy fat: groundnut paste, coconut oil, palm oil, or avocado
✅ Add iron: liver powder, fish powder, moringa
✅ Add vitamin C: pawpaw, orange purée, or mashed banana (served alongside to help with iron absorption)
✅ Use fermented pap: it’s gentler on the tummy and has probiotic benefits
Simple Enriched Pap Recipe (from 7 months)
• 3 tablespoons of fermented pap
• 1 tablespoon crayfish powder
• 1 teaspoon palm oil
• Half egg yolk (boiled & mashed)
• 1 tablespoon mashed pawpaw (added after cooling)
➡️ Stir gently and serve warm.
Final Word for Mummy
You’re not doing anything wrong.
You just need to upgrade pap from a belly-filler to a body-builder.
Don’t throw it away — enrich it with real, local, affordable options.
That’s how you turn “Just pap” into “Power pap.” 💪🏽
