Cabbage is a great natural remedy for several breastfeeding problems. It can be used to relieve engorgement and mastitis, or if you’re weaning, it can help reduce your milk supply. Here is how to use cabbage leaves when breastfeeding (a step-by-step guide).
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I’ll be compensated at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love! More info here.
Research data on the effectiveness of cabbage is limited. However, the studies that have been done, in addition to anecdotal reports, suggest that it may be helpful in treating some breastfeeding issues.
Why does cabbage help with engorgement and mastitis? While we don’t know for sure, the theory is that the amino acids in the cabbage open capillaries and improve blood flow, which relieves inflammation, decreases tissue congestion, and allows milk to flow more freely.
Uses of Cabbage Leaves When Breastfeeding
As noted above, cabbage leaves are helpful for treating discomfort associated with engorgement and mastitis, as well as with reducing milk supply and weaning.
Using Cabbage Leaves for Engorgement
The most common use of cabbage leaves is for engorgement. Engorgement usually occurs in the early weeks of breastfeeding; the breast may feel hard, tender, and warm. Your skin may also be tight and/or shiny.
Usually, engorgement will go away on its own as you continue to breastfeed – if you’re nursing, you may want to see a lactation consultant to make sure everything is good with your baby’s latch; if you’re pumping, make sure to stick to your pumping schedule.
By improving the blood flow in your breasts, cabbage leaves can help you manage the discomfort while you wait for the engorgement to resolve.
Cabbage Leaves for Mastitis
Mastitis often starts with a clogged duct and then progresses into an infection that basically feels like the flu without the sinus congestion.
Cold compresses may help with the breast pain associated with mastitis infections.
Cabbage Leaves for Weaning
Some women end up needing to wean quickly or unexpectedly (i.e., their baby stops nursing, or a health issue arises), and cabbage leaves may help you avoid a clogged duct by keeping milk from getting “stuck.”
In addition, when used frequently, cabbage leaves may also reduce milk supply – which is obviously the goal when you are weaning.
Because cabbage leaves can reduce milk supply, it’s recommended to use them sparing unless you’re weaning. If you have oversupply and want to use cabbage to reduce your milk supply (but aren’t weaning), be careful not to overdo it.
How to Use Cabbage Leaves When Breastfeeding
All that you need is a head of cabbage, a sink, and a towel. Some women find chilled cabbage soothing on their breasts, but either room temperature or refrigerated cabbage will be fine.
- Remove the outer leaves from the head of cabbage and discard.
- Remove two inner leaves from the head, and rinse off the leaves. Pat the cabbage leaves dry with a clean towel.
- Right before you’re ready to use them, roll a rolling pin over the cabbage to crush the vein. You can also cut the stem out with a pair of scissors. The goal is just to make the cabbage fit the shape of your breast.
- Place one leaf in each of your bra cups.
- If you’re not weaning, leave the cabbage on your breasts for about 20 minutes. If you are weaning, you can leave them on until they wilt.
You should use new cabbage leaves each time. If you’re using cabbage leaves for engorgement or mastitis, you can do this 2-3 times per day. If you are weaning, use as often as desired.
What about sleeping with cabbage leaves in your bra? If you aren’t weaning, I would definitely avoid this, due to the potential detrimental affects on your milk supply. If you are weaning, I would not plan on going the entire night, but dozing off for an hour is probably fine.
What to Watch out for When Using Cabbage
While cabbage is a great natural remedy, there are a few things to be aware of:
- Cabbage shouldn’t be used on broken skin, including cases of cracked or bleeding nipples. You can cut the cabbage as described above and use the cabbage just on areas of the breast that aren’t injured.
- Frequent use of cabbage leaves can affect your milk supply. As noted above, if you are not weaning, you should limit use to no more than 20 minutes 3 times per day.
- Women who are allergic to cabbage or sulfa should not use cabbage treatment on their breasts.
Note: I also wanted to mention Cabocreme (a cream with concentrated cabbage extract). It’s is more expensive than cabbage, but lots of moms in our Facebook group find it easier to use and see the same results.
Have you used cabbage to reduce your milk supply or treat engorgement? Share all of your tips in the comments below!
References- Bonyata, Kelly. “Engorgement.” https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/engorgement/#cabbage
- Mommypotamus. “Natural Remedies For Mastitis.” https://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-prevent-and-treat-mastitis-naturally/
- Newman, Jack, MD. “Engorgement.” https://ibconline.ca/information-sheets/engorgement/
- Smith, Sandra. “Cabbage Leaves for Treatment and Prevention of Breast Engorgement.” https://www.breastfeedingonline.com/cabbage.shtml#sthash.I9qKNMdh.ZziI8Pk1.dpbs
- Yount, Paula. “Cabbage? Why Use It and How Does it Work?” http://www.mother-2-mother.com/motherconcerns.htm#engorgement
Hi Amanda,
I recently had to start weaning from the pump because my son has a CMPA and is not responding to me eliminating dairy, so we are switching to formula. I had been at 5 sessions a day, every 3 hours except for overnight when I would go from 10 pm to 6 am without pumping. I had been an oversupplier historically. I just started to drop down to 4 sessions a day about a week ago, but all of a sudden in the last day or two I have had basically zero supply in my right side and very little on the left. At first I thought it was an issue with my pumps (I use the elvie) but it really seems like I am just empty! Last week I was very uncomfortable and engorged but now I am comfortable and do not feel engorged. Can it be possible that my supply just dried up that quickly?
Hi Evin! Yes it can! Supply is really weird. That’s why I usually recommend not starting it until you’re really ready. Glad it worked out for you and congrats on your sweet boy!
Hi there,
If I’m trying to stop my supply completely, should I keep replacing the leaves every 2 hours? Should I be pumping also?
Had a horrible experience at the airport where there was no private area to pump. I had to pump in front of everyone in the bathroom. It was really embarrassing and am traveling at the end of the month… can’t go through this again.
Hi! I’m sorry you had that experience! Here’s what I would suggest to stop pumping completely:
https://exclusivepumping.com/weaning-from-the-pump/
Can cabbage leaf completely stop milk from flowing from the breast of a lady who hasn’t given birth nor pregnant but producing milk from the breast ?
Hi Star! I would talk to a doctor to confirm there aren’t any hormonal issues. Hope that helps!
I’m trying to dry up my milk. Do I continue with the leaves till
Milk dries without pumping?
Hi Lynne! There’s no one way to do it – you can definitely do that if you think the cabbage is helping decrease your milk supply!
I am trying to drop my middle of the night pump. Right now I can go 7 hours (930-430) but I got clogged ducts when going to 445. I am taking sunflower lecthin and have been doing 15min increments to extend the stretch. If I used cabbage leaves when should I use them? Middle of the day? Before bed? In the morning? I know I should do 20min 2x a day.
Hi Erica! If you can do it in the 3am-4:30am timeframe, that would be ideal. I know that that’s not the easiest time to do it though! Basically you want to keep the milk flowing as you stretch the time out.
Do the cabbage leaves help with clogged milk ducts?
Hi Nance, I’ve never seen them recommended for clogged ducts. I’ll link to a post that has some suggestions that might help!
https://exclusivepumping.com/clogged-ducts/
I am in the middle of weaning (down to 1-2 times a day) and got mastitis. My provider said to pump every 2 hours, but I just need to be done with pumping. Can I stop with mastitis? I’m trying cabbage leaves to help.
Hi there! I wouldn’t stop with mastitis, as you might get an abscess and require surgery. You only need to pump frequently on the affected side, though, and can continue weaning on the not affected side. Good luck!
Im not breast feeding but i need to know what if the cabbage us real wet will it still help the swolen go away and milk just had my first baby and mind are so swolen they hurts
Hi Erica! I definitely think it might help and is worth a try. Congrats!
Hi there! Does it matter what cabbage you use? I am in the weaning process and will be use it very often.
I don’t think so but am not 100% sure – I think any green cabbage is fine. (I think any cabbage is probably fine, but most articles seem to focus on green so might as well go with that.)
Thanks for the thorough directions! I have a milk blister on one of my nipples. Unfortunately, it has become a permanent situation, so the skin is somewhat open. It doesn’t hurt, but should I crop that portion of leaves out before I wear the cabbage leaves? I’m trying to fight engorgement. ☹️ This problem has literally consumed me since I started breastfeeding and pumping. I’m always leaking everywhere, have clogged ducts everyday, and already had mastitis… My daughter has been the only thing that really relieves my engorgement since she is very good at emptying out my breast.
Hi Soo! Yes, I would crop the cabbage around it. Good luck, I’m so sorry you are dealing with this!
Hi, I’m trying to wean off a night pumping session, how do you suggest I plan that with this method? should this be used after a pump/bf session or when I feel engorged? Thanks!
Hi! This might help but I would maybe use cabbage before going to bed and when you wake up if you feel engorged and it’s not time to pump.
https://exclusivepumping.com/drop-middle-of-the-night-pumping-sessions/
Hi Mama. May I clarify that the head of cabbage is the white part of the cabbage ? And leave of the cabbage is the green part of the cabbage?
Hi! The head is the whole thing. Like when you pick up a cabbage, that’s a head of cabbage. 🙂 The leaf is the green part and the white is the core. Hope that helps, sorry for any confusion!
I slept with cabbage leaves in my bra the entire night last night. Is that okay?
Hi Kirsty – I maybe wouldn’t if you are concerned about supply, but if you’re weaning I think it’s probably fine.