BBC news tells us that Tom Cruise plans to consume some products of childbirth!
As this topic could very well be distasteful to some, I will just post the link, so you don't have to read it if you feel squeamish!

Can anyone say why he should, or should not do this?

https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4918012.stm

Cruise was on Dateline on Sunday and scoffed at the idea that he would eat the placenta. His incredulous reaction to this report seemed sincere to me.

Eating the placenta is an age old ritual and tradtion. It is believed to be exceedingly nutritious and healing for the mother who has lost much energy and may have suffererd trauma during birth. This practice does continue today in the USA amongst some of those who practice traditional births at home. Although we are not animals as we commonly think of it, many animals do eat the afterbirth. It is instinctual for them, just as some animals seem to know what herbs in the feild to eat when they are sick. As a midwife many years ago I came across it frequently. They say it tastes similar to liver and is usually cooked with onions.

Of course there is little consequence for the mother and the baby as any blood borne disease is already within them but for others to partake in this age of hepitatis, HIV and who knows what else there could be risk.

Thanks Arrow, another piece of information I didn't know. So it's for the mother's benefit. Mr. Tom is being selfish and self-indulgent, perhaps? Or the media having fun?

Well, I've seen family members partake. In kind of a celebratory ritual. Most modern women who get the idea of doing this don't get into it as much as they think they could, should or would cause the grossness factor seems to keep getting in the way

There is only so much we can say in praise of modern life!

It is so so gross! But I have to say I really like Tom Cruise, he gets criticised not so much for being a scientologist ( John Travolta is one too and nobody talks about him) but his views on health that are very similar to alternative medicine.... they made such a big deal on 'silent birth' , it is just a way not to shock a newborn with so many new things, I have an article on it from a respectable alternative medicine doctor... it really makes a lot of sense. This doctor is against anything that would give the baby too much stimulus that first few hours, including vigorous cleaning, slapping the behind, loud noises etc... I wish I knew all these when I had my boys...

Josy

100 times more powerful, 1,000 times safer.

Animals are thought to eat their afterbirth because preditors can track down the vulnerable newborn with the scent of birth in the air. At least this is what I have heard from many farmers. Fawns have very little scent for the same reasons.
I have never heard of it being for nutritional reasons.

Best Regards

D Bergy

Now this makes a lot of sense! Of course a new mother would not want her vulnerable babies to be easily discovered by predators.

And a new mother might be hungry and not want to leave her babe to hunt.