Thanks for missing me.  I missed all of the regulars.

There's two theories on the washing...one is hot soapy water will do, while
the other says you need bleach.  Having never cultured for listerosis with
both situations, I can't say for sure.  When you use the leaves, they are
more effective if you break up the fibers with a rolling pin if you're not
going to heat them.  Heating them releases the active ingredients--that's
why I do it.  Although some moms prefer the cold feeling over the heat, so
I let them cool first.  One IBCLC I know freezes the "precooked" leaves and
uses them frozen.
Chris

 Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC   email: [log in to unmask]
                HSR & Health Educational Consultant