I worked with a mom who had had extensive surgery and areas that could not
drain.  She used cabbage leaves just as you described (changing every feed)
and those areas did not develop mastitis.  They were uncomfortable for a
while until lactation shut down there.  She was able to supply her baby with
plenty of milk without effort as the rest of the breast just responded to
proper drainage.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
mailto:[log in to unmask]