C-section and Breastfeeding

berger8 · March 2012

I have to have a c section due to the fact that my LO has not flipped. So...I keep hearing from coworkers that it makes breast feeding harder. Is this true? Has anyone had success breastfeeding after a c section?

greengirl0909 · March 2012

Like any situation you might encounter, c-section can make breastfeeding more difficult, but it doesn't mean that you won't be able to breastfeed. Start gaining information now so that you are prepared. One of my most dedicated breastfeeding friends has had 3 c-sections and she has breastfed them all over a year. Be sure that your birth team knows your desire to breastfeed and ask them how they can help you achieve this goal. GL

stacieann15 · March 2012

While I don't have direct experience bf-ing after a Csection, my mother had FOUR csections and breastfed all of us. It CAN be done!

carabear80 · March 2012

My understanding is that it's losing the placenta that causes the change in hormones which triggers your milk to start being made. So that happens with either c-section or vaginal delivery. I'm a FTM so I can't speak from experience but that's what I've read

Jcrab · March 2012

I had a CS for the same reason but mine was early at 37 weeks because baby was in distress even though I never started laboring. Anyhow, no issues BF and unweaned him shortly after he turned two. The CS may make it take longer for your milk to come in if your body wasn't already close to going into labor on its own. You can definitely still BF, especially of you are committed to making it work. GL!

BarefootRI · March 2012

I don't have personal experience with this, but I have two close friends who ended up with c-sections and were able to successfully breastfeed their babies for over a year. It can be done! Good luck.

mom2david · March 2012

I had a c section and had no problems breastfeeding. My milk came in before I even left the hospital (probably around 2-3 day postpartum). I could have fed a small village at the rate I was producing. lol My son self weaned at around 13 months but that probably had more to do with the new pregnancy than any thing else.

LuckyBride06 · March 2012

I had a C and breastfed DS for a year. Your body will produce milk no matter how the baby is born, as long as the placenta comes out (which obv it does come out no matter what!)! It *may* take a little longer for your milk to come in, mine came in after 5 days. But your body still makes colostrum which is good enough for the baby. The only thing when you have a C is you can't BF right away. But you can request to have your baby in recovery to nurse. As soon as you're with the baby after surgery, make sure you try to nurse. I know many people who had Cs who successfully breastfed. If you have the energy and motivation, it can be done!

versam · March 2012

I was a CS and succesfully BF DD. Yes, it will take longer for your BM to come in. Have a good pump handy to assist in stimulating breasts which in turn will help milk to come in! GL! YOu can do it!

shouldbworkin · March 2012

With my first, my milk came in really late. No idea if that was from a c/s or not. I went into labor, so I tend to think no. I think it was just a FTM complication. I was a little sore BFing, but it wasn't something I couldn't overcome. Issues I had with BFing had nothing to do with the c/s and everything to do with having a dairy free colicky baby.

With #2 (RCS) my milk came in on day 2 and we had no issues. I BF for 13 mos.

lnh2008 · March 2012

I have had 2 c-sections and BF both kids with no problems. I didn't BF right away and still had no issues. GL!!!

MDmama519 · March 2012

I had a c-section with DS and didn't have any problems BF'ing due to c-section. My milk came in on day 3.

My biggest complaint was that it was painful to have him in the cradle position but, the football position and using a boppy worked fine.

sheremy · March 2012

I had no problems breastfeeding DD after my c-section. It took about 5 days for my milk to come in and she was a great eater from the start. While you are in the hospital I would definitely recommend asking for a consult with their lactation specialist. They are very knowledgeable and can help to make sure that you understand how to get your baby to latch properly. Good luck!

pregmama · March 2012

In my birth class, we reviewed c-sections last night. We watched a movie and the mom who had the c.s. got to hold the baby while they finished up the surgery and so she was able to have the baby latch on right away and there were absolutely no issues. I am sure that is not always standard procedure, but I would ask for this! I also wonder if the problems you have heard of are rare cases where the baby has to go to the nursery to be monitored for an extended period of time? Maybe then the inital latching on might be more of a challenge because of seperation issues? This is just my guess. One thing I have really learned in my birth class is that another womans story does not have to be your story. So, don't believe or absorb everything you hear, filter out the negative. GL!

stephsteph77 · March 2012

I had a c-section with DD and had no problems BFing. The milk came in on day 3.

kimmyg000 · March 2012

I had a c/s and no problems bf'ing. The only issue is I used the football hold which you hold the baby by your side because I didn't want her resting on my stomach for about the first week.

BabiesAllAround · March 2012

I have had 2 C-sections and successfully breastfed both babies. The only thing I could see as being a problem is that your incision may be tender and thus make it slightly uncomfortable. My boys, however, were 10 lb, 3 oz and 9 lb, 12 oz, and I had no trouble whatsoever! I plan to BF Baby #3 as well, and he will be another C-section.

Smootchy · March 2012

I guess I don't know how "easy" it could've been if I didn't have a c-sec (like maybe my newborn would've walked up to me and squirted milk in his own mouth) But my c-sec had very little to absolutely zero effect on me BF'ing my son.

cs1007 · March 2012

I had a c-section and had no problem breastfeeding DS....I don't mean to sound naive, but I am not quite sure why it would pose a problem? You don't sit them in your lap/incision area to feed-you cradle them in your arms or prop up on a pillow just as I imagine you would if you bottle feed. I recommend the Boppy pillow to help prop them up. Also, often times DS would nurse while I laid on my side...

Don't feel discouraged-I had no problems at all!

treble_clef · March 2012

Hi, I'm a lurker now:)

I had 2 breech baby c-sections, and if there was a breastfeeding contest, I would like to enter! No issue whatsoever breastfeeding after c-sections.

By the way, people tend to come up with negative comments about breech babies and c-sections, but don't let them make you feel bad. I am SUPER happy about both of my c-section experiences, and there is nothing anyone can do to change that:D

Good luck!!

cloud9climber · March 2012

It can complicate it at first. I had a cs with my ds and my milk didn't come in for almost 5 days so we supplemented with formula until my boobs got going but we had latching issues, colic issues, thrush issues and I had a constant yeast infection on my nipples. It was very, very difficult for me. I only BF for 2 months.

My experience is not the norm and I recommend you taking a BF class to help you understand how to do everything. I hope you have a great experience. GL!

metucker · March 2012

cs1007:
I had a c-section and had no problem breastfeeding DS....I don't mean to sound naive, but I am not quite sure why it would pose a problem? You don't sit them in your lap/incision area to feed-you cradle them in your arms or prop up on a pillow just as I imagine you would if you bottle feed. I recommend the Boppy pillow to help prop them up. Also, often times DS would nurse while I laid on my side...
Don't feel discouraged-I had no problems at all!

I can't answer for the OP but I have read that it is very beneficial to BF within the first hour of birth. With a c/s you cannot do that. This is one reason for me why I really don't want a c/s. I appreciate all of you sharing your stories because they made me feel better!

beachbum28 · March 2012

I had a c-section with my first...I BF him for 6 months...the only thing for me was laying him on me at the hospital hurt a little at first. My milk came in right away and it hurt but we got the hang of it! GL

MeghanF13 · March 2012

My milk came in before leaving the hospital and I bf'd until 22 months!

mieuxmieux · March 2012

I initially had no problem with breastfeeding and I had a c-section. My problem came when she had jaundice and her pedi wanted to use formula. She liked the bottle more, and it was very difficult to get her to latch for a while after that.

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