Cruise vows to eat baby's placenta

If Tom Cruise is looking for a recipe for eating his daughter's placenta, smoothies, stir fry and spaghetti are some recommendations.

Shock is still resonating through Hollywood over the actor's comment he will eat the placenta and umbilical cord of his newly-born daughter Suri.

Although seemingly bizarre, the practice of Placentophagy is actually not as uncommon as it sounds. Mammals have eaten the placentas of their offspring since time began. A number of mothers also believe the placenta has healing properties and can help with breast feeding and prevent post-natal depression.

Lesley Maclennan from the New Zealand College of Midwives says the phenomenon is not common in New Zealand, but does happen. However it is usually the mother, not the father who partakes.

Ms Maclennan says in New Zealand, the placenta is usually buried or destroyed.

- NEWSTALK ZB