cabbage leaves for engorgement,why does it work?

[mark_LD_RN]

can any one tell me why cabbage leaves work for engorgement? some say they release an enzyme that helps. others say it is just the effect of the coldness from the frozen cabbage leaves.does anyone know for sure?

[Selke]

Check this out as an additional resource:

http://www.midwifeinfo.com/content/view/51/40/

This website has other great factsheets re: pregnancy and birth, too.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I had my 2nd child about 1yr ago and a friend MD told me that I should try cabbage for the engorgement. I just took raw cabbage and stuuffed it in my bra and boy it helped. He also did mentioned that not to put it on the nipple just the breast and that if left too long can decrease milk production. He said that it use to be use for people who wanted to stop breastfeeding.

We still tell moms who aren't planning on BFing at all to put it in their bra & leave it there until the engorgement subsides. It does decrease milk production. For that reason, we tell moms who want to continue BFing to put it in their bra 15min on, 45min off and repeat prn. We keep a head of cabbage in the crisper in the pt food fridge for the same reason.

[mitchsmom]

I hadn't heard of the 'cooked and cooled' instruction, either.

Here's another good link from Kellymom.com:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgement.html#cabbage

And another set of instructions from Dr. Newman:

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/24cabbageleaves-herbs-lecithin.html

[rnin02]

I have read somewhere that you shouldn't use cabbage leaves if there is an allergy to sulfa. I can't quite remember where I read this, but I will try find it again so we can clarify if its from a credible source.