Cabbage Leaves & Breastfeeding

I often wonder about the first woman to apply chilled cabbage leaves to her swollen, engorged breasts just days after giving birth. What made her think of it? Was it the similaritiy of the thickly-veined leaves? Was it simply in season and available, chilled from the night air in the garden? Or did she see the cup-shaped leaves and have a lightbulb moment?

Whatever it was, by the time my first baby was born in 1984, cabbage leaves were part of the kit in postnatal wards and there was a faint waft of cooked cabbage which had nothing to do with the kitchens!

However, by the 1990s, the use of chilled cabbage leaves to relieve swollen breasts had fallen out of favour. Awareness of forever chemicals in our soil and pesticides used in farming raised safety concerns. There were also potential infection risks in soil and bacteria which might remain after washing. Mothers were encouraged to use a bag of frozen peas (or other vegetables) wrapped in a clean tea towel instead. And it wasn't long before industry jumped in to fill the gap, with special gel-filled chilled packs becoming widely available.

So, the question we are often asked: "My mum says she just used cold cabbage leaves, is that okay?"

The original concerns about potential chemical contamination of soil are sadly still valid. While there is no evidence of actual harm, it is something which can be avoided. The use of a food-grade cool pack is probably the safest option. It doesn't need to be breastfeeding specific. As long as you protect the tender nipple from direct chilling (a nursing pad is perfect for this), you can use something you already have. And bags of frozen vegies still make an effective substitute.