How to Stop Lactation With Cabbage

Cabbage-leaf compresses have long been used to aid in stopping lactation.

Breastfeeding can be a time for mothers and babies to bond, but just as with all aspects of growing up, it can't go on forever. Usually by a baby's first birthday, mothers are ready to wean their children from breast milk and begin them on a regimen of whole milk. This means allowing lactation to come to a stop. This can be extremely painful if no intervention is used. Fortunately, cabbage provides an all-natural aid in reducing engorgement and drying up milk from within the breast.

Things You'll Need

• Head of cabbage
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. Remove a few cabbage leaves from a head of cabbage and rinse them off under a faucet of cold water. Set them on a few paper towel sheets.

2. Press down on the cabbage leaves with the palm of your hand to crush the veins. Set the cabbage leaves in the refrigerator so that they become cold.

3. Place one cabbage leaf over each breast so the areola is completely covered. A bra with good support will hold the cabbage leaves in place.

4. Replace every four to six hours with a new cabbage leaf from the refrigerator. It will take approximately 48 to 72 hours to see a significant reduction in breast milk.

Tips & Warnings

• Drinking sage tea can also help stop the production of breast milk. Drink 1 cup every six hours in conjunction with the usage of cabbage.

• Complete suppression of breast milk can take up to two to three weeks.

References

• Breastfeeding Basics: Lactation Suppression
• University of Cincinnati: Tips to Stop the Production of Breast Milk

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish