When I was a community Midwife most weeks I advised at least one woman or her partner to go and buy a Savoy Cabbage. You might like to know why. It’s one of those hidden gems.
Before you roll your eyes let me share that I am not crazy it is backed by evidence! You might be surprised to hear that studies have shown that cabbage leaves help relieve the discomfort of breast engorgement post birth. 🙌
In case you don’t know what I’m talking about breast engorgement is when the breasts are over loaded with milk. It can be incredibly uncomfortable for women. Breast and bottle feeding women can both suffer from breast engorgement. It is handy to have tips like this to hand. You never know, it might be you (or your partner).
Using a cabbage leaf is natural and cheap.
Method
- Put cabbage in refrigerator to cool (however this will work with a room temperature leaf too it’s just nicer)
- Wash a leaf with cold water
- Gently pat dry
- Make nipple hole in leaf (like picture)
- Wrap around nipple, covering breast
- When warm take out and replace with fresh leaves (following 1-6 steps)
Amazing hey?!
Here’s a couple of links if you want to read more:
http://medind.nic.in/nad/t15/i1/nadt15i1p24.pdf
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006946.pub3/full
Join a Talking Babies Midwife Led course today and learn some more really helpful tips for birth. Click here.