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If you give birth to a baby by a C-section, this does not mean that you won’t be able to breastfeed. The surgical delivery does give a negative effect upon the process of establishing lactation but it is possible to overcome all difficulties. Here are some recommendations on breastfeeding for new moms after a C-section. If you follow these tips, you’ll easily succeed.
If you are waiting for the planned surgical delivery, get ready for it in advance. Let your doctor know about your desire to breastfeed after the surgery.
Here’s my very first and most important tip to c-section moms (actually, all pregnant women):
Educate yourself about breastfeeding while you are still pregnant!
The Milkology Breastfeeding Class will save you tons of time (because you can watch it online any time) and nerves. This is by far the best course I’ve taken about breastfeeding (and, believe me, I have some experience here, both online and offline in my local area). The videos are short, yet full of helpful knowledge and examples. The best part about it is that the course costs just $19. And that is, my friend, a real bargain! Totally worth it!
1. Ask For Doctor’s Help To Arrange Breastfeeding
One of the greatest challenges in C-section moms has to do with the time when they start breastfeeding. Vaginal delivery seems to raise no problem in terms of getting skin-to-skin ASAP. However, everything is different when it comes to C-section patients. The connection with the baby might be a little delayed due to surgery. The mother and her baby are separated from each other for obvious reasons. And in some cases it takes a while for a mom to breastfeed her newborn baby for the first time.
If you consider this important, you can tell your doctor about it. Ask to arrange a breastfeeding session to you sooner. One of the things you should discuss with a medical team is the issue of anesthesia. Not all women want to receive anesthesia during a Cesarean birth as they hope to nurse the baby soon after the delivery. Find out what options are available in your particular case and decide on the best solution.
C-section babies tend to be sleepy due to the effect of pain medicine. This could stand on the way of breastfeeding right after birth. However, don’t get discouraged because there are special techniques stimulating a sleepy baby to stay awake for the first breastfeeding session.
2. Learn The Best Breastfeeding Positions
A vaginal delivery entails many body changes and it takes much time to recover after it. However, this is not so challenging in comparison with a Cesarean birth. A C-section is a surgery that brings much pain. It can have a negative effect on your milk supply.
The main task of a new mother is to heal the wounds at this period. However, some moms give priority to the baby. Mothers need to make and follow a pain management plan that will help to stay relaxed despite the possible problems that may occur postpartum.
It is hard even to sit comfortably when you breastfeed after the surgery. You have to move slowly to take a breastfeeding position that suits you best in order to avoid pain.
3. Have Enough Rest To Heal Faster
A new mother needs to have much rest after a C-section to recover faster but it is quite challenging. The baby is often hungry and asks for the breast every two hours or so. You can manage it easily with the support of close people who can shoulder all household duties and help you with the baby.
There are two possible solutions after the delivery:
- Some moms prefer to rest while the nurses care about your baby in the nursery. It gives the opportunity for your body to restore its resources.
- Others give priority to breastfeeding, asking to keep the baby in the same room. In this way, the baby can have access to breast milk whenever they want. The body of a new mom reacts each time she hears a baby’s cry.
The woman may need the assistance of a family member in the room to help her with a newborn baby, especially after a C-section, when the patient needs much rest but still wants to make breastfeeding a part of the usual routine.
4. Consult A Lactation Specialist
The surgery is a big stress for the body so when the baby asks for food after birth, the body may not react to it. It takes time for the body to understand the signals sent by the baby’s suckling.
There is no need to worry if you do not know anything about lactation. There is a special professional expert in the hospital who is responsible for
It is a good opportunity to clarify the questions which are unclear to you. A woman after a Cesarean birth can be interested in such a question as the best breastfeeding positions after surgery, for example. It is recommended to choose side-laying position, as a rule. The main thing is to feel relaxed when feeding the baby.
5. Let Your Partner Help You
If you think that you can cope with all problems on your own, this is a totally wrong approach. Your partner should also participate in breastfeeding. It is better for a mom to sleep well at night letting her partner care for the crying baby during this time.
A father can change the diapers, for instance. When the baby is hungry, he can bring the little one to the mom for a breastfeeding session.
A C-section creates many obstacles for mothers, but it is natural to breastfeed after childbirth and you shouldn’t give up on it just because a cesarean birth makes it too difficult to establish good lactation (this is not true, by the way, but you may think like that).
Keep in mind that there are numerous benefits of breastfeeding and establishing a healthy lactation after a C-section is one hundred percent possible! You will recover soon, so you will be able to enjoy the wonderful moments of connection with your baby.
Not everything may go smoothly but you can overcome the challenges using the techniques offered in this article.
Dear mama reading this article…
Have you had a C-section and managed to successfully breastfeed your baby? – Please, share your tips in comments below, they worth the gold!
Are you pregnant and afraid you will have some difficulties at breastfeeding after birth? Share your fears and doubts. We are here to help, support and connect!
I had emergency c-section. It was difficult at first breastfeeding my second son but with help with nurses and husband has been great and still breastfeeding today.
Great news! Thanks for sharing, Sarah.
Were almost 4 weeks post emergency c-section due to my little girl being breech and decided she was going to come 10 days early prior to our arranged section date. We got to have skin to skin as soon as we were out of theatre and in recovery, however this didn’t make it easy. We have only been exclusively breastfeeding this week, we had to use formula top ups as I was left with anemia after a bleed during surgery. It took a good 7-10 days for my milk to fully establish with the help of expressing, my little girl lost 12% of her birth weight in the first 3 days hence the formula top ups but now we’re over the birth weight and breastfeeding exclusively. If I was knowingly going to have to have a c-section again I’d start hand expressing prior to the surgery and store the milk in the freezer.
Hey Shelley,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice!
Hello my name is Rosa I have 2 beautiful little girls 8 and 4 yrs. I am expecting my 3 girl in about 4 weeks, its a schedule C-section. (it’ll be my second c-section) I remember my 1st c-section it was painful and hard to start producing milk supply but i ended up strictly nursing for 2 years. It was not easy to get there though, @Shelley Pickering how did you start producing milk before the baby was born? I have heard a couple moms doing that but this is my 3rd baby and i never produce milk before. Any suggestions or tips for me, i’ve been stressing and having nightmares of not being able to nurse my child!
I am against pumping and storing the milk in the freezer. However, anyway, thank you for the given recommendations.
I really struggled at first, but laying on my side really helped. I just relaxed and snuggled my son, and everything came together after that. I think I was just too rigid and uncomfortable trying any other position
Hey Dana,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Side-lying positions is indeed extremely helpful and comfy in case of breastfeeding after a C-section.