A lactation Consultant, Dr Florence Folami, on Friday in Lagos advised mothers with overflowing breast milk to make use of cabbage leaves to reduce it.
Folami, who is the Head of Department, Nursing Science, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said that, “Cabbage leaves, when placed on breast, secretes enzymes that dry up production of milk’’.
The consultant spokewith the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the World Breastfeeding Week, held at the Massey Children Hospital, Lagos.
The overflowing breast milk is highlighted as one of the challenges facing breast feeding mothers at the event, organised in collaboration with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.
“Cabbage leaves compress are remedies which has been used for many years to dry the milk.
“The leaves can also be used to reduce overflowing breast milk,’’ she said.
Folami, however, gave tips on how to use cabbage leaves to reduce overflow of breast milk.
“Buy cabbage leaves, rinse and dry the leaves; put them in refrigerator, remove the hard core base, and pound the leaves. Wrap around breast, leaving nipple exposed.
“Change every 30 minutes, if the leaves become wilted.
“Do not be afraid to relieve your discomfort by also expressing some milk, but not to empty them completely.
“By gradually expressing and using cabbage leaves, your milk supply will decrease without causing physical pains and embarrassment for you,’’ Folami said.
The physician said that some mothers might allow the leaves to stay for more than 30 minutes, if they were trying to wean their baby completely.
She advised any mother, who had overflowing breast milk to always have enough breast pads while going for an outing.
