From the article: 5 Breastfeeding Tips After a C-Section
Breastfeeding after a cesarean is possible. Though sometimes you have more challenges. What advice would you give a mom who has had a c-section and wants to breastfeed? Do you have a position that you found worked really well? Did you use a breast pump? What about rooming in? Share Your Advice
breastfeeding after c-section
- I had an emergency c-section and then my daughter had a fever when she arrived. I didn't even see her for 45 minutes and didn't get to hold her until the recovery room. She was my first so I really didn't understand anything about breastfeeding. I did not even try to nurse her until I was in my hospital room, 2 hours or more after delivery! I did have a lactation consultant come and help me and everything worked out. I nursed until she was 10 months, and could have gone longer. Breastfeeding after c-section is definitely possible!
- —Guest April
Prepare ahead
- Get a lactation consultant's contact information before you have the baby and make sure she will be available to you as soon as your baby arrives. Many scheduled C-sections and inductions (that often lead to C-sections) are scheduled for Fridays or weekends when the hospital lactation consultants are not making frequent rounds. I was a mom who had to be induced due to high blood pressure but planned on having the baby without drugs, vaginally, etc. It did not turn out that way. I was not reunited with my baby for almost six hours after my C-section and no one was available to help me with BFing. All I had was my book from class. It took three days before I saw a lactation consultant!! Thankfully my doula was able to help me out until I could make it to a lactation consultant at another location. With their help, we were able to get back on breastfeeding track. Also, don't give up. It does get easier!
- —Guest Recent Csectioner and BFing mom
Getting Rest
- Nursing while lying on my side definitely helped. But I found that at night I was do worried about hearing the baby cry, I didn't sleep well when he was in the room with me. I had him go to the nursery at night, and the nurse brought him to me when he was hungry. I did the same thing when my daughter was born. I had a very pro-Breastfeeding hospital, and they were supportive of my no-formula decision. They made sure I woke up!
- —Guest Malinda
Breastfeed lying down.
- I successfully breastfed after 2 c-sections, and I totally agree with Maura: the best post-c-section BF position is lying down on your side. With baby #1, I tried football hold, but it was awkward, and I did cradle hold very gingerly. When she was older, I figured out the lying-down position and baby #2 was BF that way from the very beginning. So much more comfortable.
- —Guest Deborah
PILLOWS!
- So many pillows! ALL THE PILLOWS! Get ahold of every pillow in the county! Stack them up around yourself until you and babe are comfortable.
- —MeganRomerWorldMusic
Lying on your side
- I didn't master this until my second child (who was a VBAC anyway) but I wish I had tried it and done it after the c-section. Lying on your side and the baby lying next to you would be much easier in the first week or two after surgery.
- —Guest Maura
Feed First!
- I have had two c-sections. The first time I didn't get to nurse for several hours. My milk was really delayed. But the second time I breastfed in the recovery room and kept the baby with me (which the hospital didn't like, but I didn't care). My milk was in on day 3!
- —C-section Mom
