Weaning with Cabbage

Yes, cabbage leaves will help to alleviate discomfort of engorgement pain and they speed up the process of weaning breast milk supply.

There has been some debate as to whether cabbage really works or not. I can tell you from personal experience, it did relieve some of my engorgement pain. Especially, when I used it under my arms for the engorgement I had there. I did not use it for weaning because with both girls I weaned slowly.

How do cabbage leaves work exactly?

There is no definitive answer. There have been very few studies on cabbage and breastfeeding. My “guess” is that it works in two ways: the coolness of the cabbage leaves provide cool compresses to help with inflammation with in turn helps to reduce supply. But I also believe the cabbage somehow pulls the extra fluid out of the area then you can remove it through your excretory system (urine and sweat) But again, these are educated guesses.

Just know that cabbage has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years to help reduce breastmilk supply. In fact, in the 1800’s cabbage compresses were used to treat sprains and joint swelling.

How do you use the cabbage to reduce engorgement pain and/or breastmilk supply?

1. Buy a head of green cabbage. (the red cabbage could stain your bra)
2. Remove the leaves in whole and wash them.
3. Place in a gallon plastic bag or a Tupperware type container, store in the fridge.(room temperature works just as well but cool usually feels better)
4. Place a cold leave on your breast, inside your bra.
5. Leave in place until the leaf becomes wilty.
6. Remove and replace.
***If using for engorgement, apply no more than 3-4 leaves per breast PER DAY.
****If using to dry up milk supply, replace leaves over and over for 24-48 hours until supply has reduced. It will take 3-4 heads of cabbage to drastically wean a full milk supply.

CABBAGE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE ALLERGIC TO SULFA OR CABBAGE. Also, cabbage should not be used if the skin is injured in any way.

Want an alternative to cabbage?

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