Breastfeeding can be a very natural thing, where the baby comes out of the womb and takes to nursing wonderfully. However, sometimes things happen during delivery that can make this more difficult. One of these things can be breastfeeding after a C- section.
The type of cesarean you have may make things challenging. If you are put under general anesthesia, the baby can be sleepier than normal after delivery, and the mother is often very sleepy or woozy. A normal cesarean delivery, where the mother is awake during the surgery, may cause the mother to be nauseated afterward and sometimes sleepy as well. The baby may also spit up clear fluids several times after the delivery.
Despite this, a new mom can still be very successful with breastfeeding after a c-section. These kinds of quality tips and information is provided by expert women doctors. You should also read more about Tidewater Physicians For Women
7 tips for Breastfeeding after a C-Section
1. Be sure to take a breastfeeding class BEFORE you have your baby. In-person is preferred but there are several virtual options as well.
2. Do skin-to-skin as soon as possible after the delivery of the baby. Some hospitals will let you do skin-to-skin in the operating room; others will make you wait until after you are in the recovery room. Talk to your doctor beforehand to see what the policy is at the hospital where you will be delivering. Explain to them how important breastfeeding after a C-section is to you, and ask your lactation professional to help you make a plan.
3. Nurse as soon as possible after the delivery. Getting the baby to the breast early during the “wakeful” period will increase the chances of a first successful latch. You may have to continue to lay flat because of being post-surgery, but even if your movement is restricted, breastfeeding in the laid-back/ prone position can help the infant nurse well. A nurse can help you with breastfeeding after a C-section, if you need extra hands to position your baby.
4. Nurse frequently! Waking your infant every few hours to feed is important, and will encourage a sleepy baby to want to nurse more. This is important in all types of birth.
5. Work with a lactation consultant (IBCLC) in the hospital to help make sure you are off to a good start, and that the infant has a strong latch and is getting enough milk from the breast.
6. Once you are able to sit up, try using the football hold to help keep the infant off of the incision. An infant-support nursing pillow can also be very helpful while you’re healing from a C-section.
7. Try to avoid unnecessary supplementation. Because of the fluids given during labor and surgery, your baby may appear to loose weight or not cue as frequently to eat. Talk to your lactation professional about what to expect when breastfeeding after a C-section. Ask for help from the lactation consultant in the hospital, if supplementation is suggested or might be needed.
Milk Supply and Breastfeeding After a C-Section
Some professionals say that you may have a delayed onset of milk production, but this is very unlikely. Milk production is triggered by the separation of the placenta from the uterus, so the milk should come in at the usual 3-5 days postpartum period, as with a vaginal delivery. If the birth is stressful, or you are separated from your baby, there may be a delay, but nursing frequently and working with a lactation consultant at the hospital can help with this.
Before going home, make sure you have checked in with a lactation consultant to ensure that the baby is nursing well before you leave. It’s always a good idea to make a follow-up visit with a lactation consultant once you get home.
It may also be beneficial to arrange for some help with meals and housework so that you can heal from the surgery and continue to learn to take care of your baby. Take your medications as prescribed and to be sure to contact your obstetrician or pediatrician if you start to feel unwell or your baby does not seem to be thriving.
Overall, you can breastfeed no matter what kind of delivery you have. Remember, if you have questions, ask for help – and happy nursing!
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Dominique Gallo
Dominique is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) on the Kiinde Lactation Team. Dominique is a mom of 4: 3 human kids and 1 Furry kid :). Dominique spends her spare time cheering on her kids at their various sporting events
