Background: Breast engorgement is a common and distressing condition among postnatal mothers, often causing pain, discomfort, and difficulty in breastfeeding. If left unmanaged, it may lead to complications such as mastitis and poor lactation. Non-pharmacological interventions like cold cabbage leaves and hot applications are safe, simple, and cost-effective options. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of cold cabbage leaves versus hot application in reducing breast engorgement among postnatal mothers in a selected hospital at Malur.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design, guided by Imogene King’s Goal Attainment Model (1981), was adopted. Sixty postnatal mothers with breast engorgement were selected through purposive sampling, with 30 allocated to the cold cabbage leaves group and 30 to the hot application group. The interventions were administered for two consecutive days. Data were collected using a demographic proforma and a breast engorgement checklist, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: No significant difference was observed in pre-test breast engorgement levels between the groups (t = 0.86, p>0.05). Post-test findings revealed a significant difference, with the cold cabbage leaves group showing greater reduction in breast engorgement compared to the hot application group (t = 4.88, p<0.05). Within-group analysis demonstrated significant improvements after both interventions (p<0.05). Gravida status was significantly associated with post-test engorgement levels in both groups (p<0.05), while other demographic variables showed no association.

Conclusion: Both cold cabbage leaves and hot applications were effective in reducing breast engorgement, with cold cabbage leaves proving more beneficial. As safe, non-invasive, and cost-effective strategies, these interventions can be incorporated into routine nursing practice to enhance maternal comfort, promote breastfeeding, and prevent complications.