C-section and nursing

baileyrayvalentine

Hi ladies!  I'm just home from the hospital - 18 hours of labor, followed by a c-section which produced a gorgeous, perfect 10 lb, 12 oz baby boy.  We're in love!  Anyway - I was able to nurse in the recovery room only because my doula was basically in bed with me, squeezing the colostrum from my breast directly into my baby's mouth.  But after that, I just couldn't nurse...I had so much pain after the surgery because the catheter had been in wrong the whole time (of course I couldn't feel the urine backing up because of the epi) so I wasn't draining urine (I even heard the doctors talking about how full and distended my bladder was during the surgery, which made it harder to get the little guy out).  I just couldn't move, I was in agony, I was emotional, and I didn't want to have to deal with the pressure of having to nurse when hearing my hungry baby was breaking my heart and every time I cried, the incision hurt like nothing I have ever felt before or want to feel again...so I agreed to give him formula.  Since then, I have had him latch a few times successfully and my milk has come in full force, but I'm having a hard time in general - both because of the pain of the surgery and because he's having trouble latching.  

 

Are other c-section moms able to nurse successfully?  And if so, how did you do it?  I know people are adamant about the no formula/nipple confusion/etc etc mantra, and before I had the baby, I thought I'd feel adamant about it too - but as it turns out, *** happens and I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  I do however want to course correct now so any advice, words of encouragement, personal experiences, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

lyfojl726

I had a csection and have had no problems breast feeding. You just have to be pushy and determined, don't give up. The nurses in the hospital taught me to pretty much shove their heads/mouths into your nipple, and be consistent. They will eventually catch on.... mine did.

GnomeLuv

I'm so sorry, you are a tough mamma! I did the football hold for the first week after my c-section to keep the pressure off the incision. Are you able to pump and feed breast milk via bottle so your little guy is getting some BM that way?

Temp937723687505543

I had issues with my first where I had to give formula. I was adamant about nursing, though, so I pumped to try to get my milk to come in, but whenever DD needed comfort, I tried to nurse her, and then whenever she was hungry, before giving her the bottle I nursed her. Then one time she just never pulled off the breast and lo and behold I saw milk dribbling down her chin. I didn't feel a big let down so I didn't even know it had happened, but just keeping at it worked for us. GL!

jmcdionne

I had 2 c-sections and breastfed fine. I had trouble +++ with the first one, but it had nothing to do with the surgery.

I had slight difficulty with the second one, but it resolved. I used to say: "I've done this before, it should be easy!" and my supportive cousin replied: "Maybe you have, but your newborn daughter hasn't!" She was right.

There is no proven correlation between c-sections and difficulty breastfeeding. It is always hard in the beginning, no matter which way baby came out. It's a learning curve for both you and your baby. Hang in there!

 

And congrats!!

samm1983

I agree with PPs.  Be pushy and really force that latch to start with.  The football hold was also what I did for awhile and that helped so my LO wasn't laying across my belly.  Also, I wouldn't worry about the fact that you did formula and might have nipple confusion, etc.  When my LO was just a week old, I was in so much pain from my C-section and from nursing that my Pedi had me pump and do bottles for a few days to help my nipples heal and to give my body a couple more days to work on healing.  He went right back to nursing after those 2 days and it has been much easier. 

Vieve831

OP it sounds like you had a very traumatic birth experience, I'm so sorry. I also had an unplanned c-section but am recovering well. i did have difficulty nursing LO in the hospital and met w 3 different lactation consultants! LO was basically starving. They were also massaging my breasts to help him eat (DH thought that was pretty funny). I used a pump as well and they used a syringe to feed him once (made me cry to see him fed that way, well that and hormones!).

Ultimately this is what worked for me (under the guidance of LC's and not everyone would agree with the method):

- pumping to stimulate milk production (but since the initial syringe he has ate exclusively from my breasts)

- nipple shields to help him latch (also eases nipple pain but this is not so much of an issue for me). I plan on weaning him from these but for now it is working and better than switching to formula IMO

- in the hospital they used sugar water to help him latch to the nipple shield. They gave me some to use at home and I did for 1 day but have not since

Good luck with whatever you do - if you are dedicated but struggling I think the best thing is to call a lactation consultant

SuzJune04

Hang in there!  It sounds like you are doing the best you can.  I also gave a few bottles of formula to DD in the hospital before my milk came in (I would pump some when supplementing).  I just had my second c-section and have nursed with both babies.  I think the important thing to do is keep trying if you want to bf.  I also agree that the football hold is comfortable after a c-section.  I also like nursing while laying down (as long as I'm not too sleepy...since I'm nervous about that). 

With my DS, he wasn't gaining weight even though I had tons of milk.  We supplemented my bfing with formula from the start since they didn't want DS over-tiring himself nursing.  I stopped supplementing when he was 6wks old and had regained his birth weight.  I ended up nursing him until 10mo old.

Were you able to see a LC at the hospital?  Does your pediatrician have one in the office?  I've learned something new each time I meet with one.  There is also a section in my breastfeeding book on c-sections.

Also, don't be afraid to take the full dose of pain meds.  They will help you stay ahead of the pain and be more comfortable while sleeping and nursing.  Each person recovers from a surgery different so take it day by day.

Btw-I got a bladder infection after my c-section this time and needed prescription meds.  Supposedly it is pretty common.  Don't be afraid to be the squeeky wheel with your doctor about how you are feeling.

 

MrsCodeMonkey

I also had an unplanned c-section. It was tougher to get around so DH had to bring me DD to feed. It was also very painful in the beginning. I literally had to breathe through the pain like I did with contractions. I used lots of Lanolin cream and gel pads you can put in the fridge. They were life savers. I also took a class beforehand and worked with the lactation consultants at the hospital to get a good latch. I pumped in the beginning to get my supply up and make sure DD was eating enough (she lost over 10% of her body weight). I suggest you get a good support system and hang in there if you want to continue to BF. Try going to La Leche League meetings if you can. The ladies there gave me some good advice. Also, the pain goes away in a couple of weeks, so once you get past the initial phase it gets so much better. Good luck! 

zebrastripes

I have had both daughter born via csection and DD2was sent to Cooks hospital in Fort Worth. She was there was 2 weeks. We stayed in the Ronald McDonald house so I was not there for every feeding so the nurses had to give her a bottle with breastmilk. DD1 was in NICU for a week and I had trouble breastfeeding both of them. They say nipple confusion is a myth. I don't know if this is so but I do know once they are given a bottle, they have a harder time latching. Have you used a nipple shield? I tried BFing when she was in NICU but it didn't work very well. When we got her home, I started using a nipple shield. It took a few days to get the hang of it but she is Bfing now with the help of the nipple shield and some days, I can get her to latch on without it.

I had both my daughters via csection and using a pillow helps. Also, are you taking your pain medication? If you have ran out and still in pain, take ibuprofen. Ask your doc what the safe amount of ibuprofen that can be taken. 

osusloopy21

I'm in the same boat when it comes to my son not wanting to BF.  He is on a wallaby light because of jaundice here at home which also makes it difficult to try to bfeed him.  So for right now we are supplementing with formula and I pump and every two to three pumps, he gets a bm bottle.  We saw a LC on Monday and he nursed perfectly there.  However, duplicating it at home is much  harder.   My husband and I decided that for now, we continue supplementing and try to bfeed him a few times a day.  If after 10 minutes per breast he doesn't latch we go straight to the formula.  There is no reason to stress my son out or ourselves over not being able to latch.  I plan on seeing the LC again once we are off of the wallaby light.  The pps are right to just keep at it, but I know it's easier said than done.  Just try to relax and take deep breaths when you are feeding.  Best of luck!