Hi,
        Cabbage leaves can reduce a mother's milk supply when applied
directly to the breast for long periods of time... This is a "your mileage
may vary" situation as to the amount of the reduction and time required.
This is precisely why cabbage leaves are a home remedy of choice for
engorgement/plugged duct problems and have been used for generations to "dry
up" a milk supply (along with other herbs, like sage for instance). I always
warn mothers I tell about cabbage to watch for reduction in supply and pull
back on use if they notice any. Since most of the mom's I know have gotten
their relief in short order or only use a small piece of leaf directly over
the affected portion of the breast, this has not come up as a problem.
        Kathy Lee Gifford used cabbage (half heads, one on each breast) when
she abruptly weaned her daughter at age 6 weeks to fit into a gown for a
show... and weaned her first, at a few weeks because she "had to" for double
mastitis -- these are stories she's shared on her national TV show and she's
considered an "all american mommy" My point being she's done way more damage
with truly incorrect breastfeeding info being shared as "perfect mommy"
stories than Oprah's show with it's attempts to talk about the subject and
manage to share mostly factual though not fully explained info...
        I think it's time we all hit Oprah with request for a series on the
"truth about breastfeeding" as this topic cannot be covered appropriately in
sound bites.

Anne, who is beginning to think she really does watch far too much TV while
nursing!
Anne E. Robb, MAT, LLLL
Off on a Tanget, Oregon, USA
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