Breast feeding/ cesarean mothers?

[momz3]

Is it harder? I'm tired of all of the negativity I'm getting about "Oh it will be so hard" "You THINK you will breastfeed"

I will be having a cesarean in March and want to immediately start bf'ing. How was it for you? Also, do you use the same pain meds?

This will be my first breastfed child so I am new to all of this. Thanks!

[Fujiko]

I had a c-section with my first. And it didn't affect our bfing relationship whatsoever. I didn't feel pain (other than the usual afterpains) at the incision site while bfing. My baby didn't lie that low, and I even have a short torso (I'm 4'11"). I do have quite small breasts, though, so I had to hold her high.

I think a lot of it also depends on the hospital. I've found that my experience is unusual, in that after the (non emergency) c-section, they wheeled my right back to my room, and they snuggled my swaddled daughter into the crook of my arm for the ride. No recovery room, no separation of us. After they took us back to my room (it was the same room throughout my whole stay), they weighed and measured her there as I tried to fight off the effects of the narcotics or whatever they gave me, then they gave her to me and they helped me to get her to latch on. After she was done nursing, they swaddled her up again and put her in her bassinet, put her bassinet next to my bed, and let us go to sleep!

Next time the only thing I would do differently if I had to have a c-section is that I'd request that as long as the spinal was effective, I would ask not to have narcotics until after our first feeding. I was super itchy and it was SOO hard not to fall asleep.

[Pod4One]

I had 2 c-sections and breastfed both babies! Breastfeeding is natural but not necessarily "easy" - whether you have a c/s or vaginal birth! Your milk might take a day or two longer to come in - but don't fret, your baby will have a reserve and will be fine. Your belly is going to be sore - duh - and that might interfere with some peoples ability to breastfeed because the baby is on your lap but I didn't have a problem, besides you can just find a different position (like the football hold). I was on ibuprofen and percocet - both safe for breastfeeding.

You can do it!

[JessicaS]

I had two cesareans and breastfed.

With ds it was about 20 or 30 minutes before I was ready to because I was vomiting.

I did refuse morphine with ds. It makes me lose my perception of reality.

I thought I was sitting up and chatting. I have *clear* memories of sitting in my hospital bed chatting with people. The problem is there was video, I was passed out!! But I remember chatting!! That is a little too scary for me.

[~PurityLake~]

Originally Posted by momz3

Is it harder? I'm tired of all of the negativity I'm getting about "Oh it will be so hard" "You THINK you will breastfeed"

I will be having a cesarean in March and want to immediately start bf'ing. How was it for you? Also, do you use the same pain meds?

This will be my first breastfed child so I am new to all of this. Thanks!

I don't know if it was harder breastfeeding following a c-section, because I have nothing to compare it to. My first daughter had difficulty developing a proper latch, I got blisters, clogged duct, then pregnancy with my second child slowed then stopped my milk supply just when things were smoothing out. I was only able to breastfeed her until 8 months and luckily was able to feed her my pumped breastmilk for another month past that. Supply was not a problem until I was pregnant. My second daughter had no trouble latching on, I didn't develop any blisters or clogged ducts and my only problem was the constant leaking and soaking the bed at night, despite wrapping my breasts in cloth diapers to soak up the overflow. I was in labor with Abigail for 3 days before they decided I needed a c-section for failure to progress and after tons of medical intervention and drugging which started with my midwife breaking my water at the birthing center I started at. I do blame those drugs for her discomfort after birth. Both my pregnancies I had planned on a natural water birth. I never even experienced labor with Sophia. I went in for a non stress test because the military hospital I was being seen routinely did non stress tests twice per week past 40 weeks. She was about 43 weeks when she was born. At a nst her heart rate plummeted and there was little to no amniotic fluid, according to US and heart rate monitor. I still wonder if the readings were wrong. So, there was way less intervention and way fewer drugs with my second baby, although I was unconscious for her birth as well.

[CarricksMom]

I had an emergency c-sec and my ds had low blood sugar because I had gestational diabetes, and they gave him formula, so yes, it was harder, I think. They told me he was breech when I was 7 cm and my entire birth plan was shot.

I could not lie flat afterwards, it pulled the incision. I used the football hold with lots of pillows.

Since yours is planned, maybe you can have things better understood by your healthcare provider and make sure someone is with you the first couple of weeks to help latch your lo on. My DH was so helpful.

It took my milk about 4 days to come in. I pumped a lot to help it. I think the pain med I was on made DS very sleepy - he could not stay awake to nurse.

You can do it - just don't give up. It may take a little more practice. Sounds like you may have had a c-sec before? If so, at least you know what to expect - that will help tremendously! BTW we are still nursing at 3 years old!

[readytobedone]

i think there's a correlation between c-sections and breastfeeding not working out. of course, who knows how much of that is because of the "kinds" of mothers most likely to have vaginal births...like, if you're crunchy and going natural birth route and all that, you're probably more likely to be committed to breastfeeding, on average, than someone who is easily convinced toward a c-section. (not saying you are the latter type, just saying...i'm not convinced these correlations between cesarean births and breastfeeding failure are all that meaningful.)

FWIW i had a terrible, horrible, wretched in every way c-section birth, and breastfeeding was a relative breeze. sure, it was hard for the normal reasons (sore nipples, constant nursing, exhaustion), but breastfeeding worked just fine, and DD is still nursing at almost 2.5. if you want to do it, a c-section alone is not going to stop you from being able to, IME. my best tip is to make sure everyone on your medical team knows you want to breastfeed, and make your partner or birth partner in charge of remembering that you are to BF ASAP!!!! my DH is the one who reminded me to nurse--i was soooo out of it after the section. but you may not be. everyone is different.

[New_Natural_Mom]

Emergency C-sec here and developed bf relationship just fine (17 months and still going . I got lots of conflicting/bad advice at the hospital and ended up having one of the nipples bleed, but through perseverance we got it. Make sure you have lactation advice you trust (ours was our midwife.) I have no comparison (as DS is an only) but it didn't impede us one bit.

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 12/13/10 at 10:00am

[catters]

I have had both my children by cesarean (1st breech and 2nd failed VBAC ) and happily I never had any issue with breastfeeding either of them. Think positively and you'll have no problem. FWIW, I only had extremely supportive hospital staff. All babies roomed in and it was assumed that I would be breastfeeding so I had no issue with them. If your hospital is not as progressive as mine appears to have been, just make sure, like a PP already mentioned that you are clear from the beginning that you will be BF. Congrats!

[KweenKrunch]

Are you 100% you NEED a c/s? Most c/s are unnecessary, and yes, they can absolutely complicate breastfeeding.

[momz3]

Originally Posted by New_Natural_Mom

Emergency C-sec here and developed bf relationship just fine (17 months and still going . I got lots of conflicting/bad advice at the hospital and ended up having one of the nipples bleed, but through perseverance we got it. Make sure you have lactation advice you trust (ours was our midwife.) I have no comparison (as DS is an only) but it didn't impede us one bit.

You see, my cousin has had bad experiences with hospital staff and them helping her breastfeed. She recommended a lactation consultant to meet me up there instead just because some nurses may be as clueless as me...

[momz3]

Originally Posted by KweenKrunch

Are you 100% you NEED a c/s? Most c/s are unnecessary, and yes, they can absolutely complicate breastfeeding.

I am not trying to snarky. But, I have given up (from feeling like I have to explain myself to others) telling my life story when I mention cesarean and why. But, feel free to look at my older posts, the answers you are searching for in there. Thanks and again, I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just really tired of having to explain myself when all I need is advice on breastfeeding after a cesarean.

[~PurityLake~]

Originally Posted by catters

All babies roomed in and it was assumed that I would be breastfeeding so I had no issue with them.

Yeah, I forgot about that, because I can't imagine a healthy baby anywhere other than right with mom. Abigail was permanently attached to me in some form or another for her first 6 months.

[momz3]

Originally Posted by catters

I have had both my children by cesarean (1st breech and 2nd failed VBAC ) and happily I never had any issue with breastfeeding either of them. Think positively and you'll have no problem. FWIW, I only had extremely supportive hospital staff. All babies roomed in and it was assumed that I would be breastfeeding so I had no issue with them. If your hospital is not as progressive as mine appears to have been, just make sure, like a PP already mentioned that you are clear from the beginning that you will be BF. Congrats!

I do not know about my hospital and breastfeeding. My first two were born in another state and our third, who was born at the hospital I will be delivering at this time around, was stillborn so, obviously, I had no use for breastfeeding services. I will definitely check into it, though...

I do remember after she was born, I was in a recovery area...with other patients...I wonder if thats mandatory?

[EvolvingMama]

I have had both of my children by c-section - the first was unplanned, after 16 hours of pushing at home, in 1996, and the second was in 2007 and was planned. I never assumed I would do anything BUT breastfeed, and both times, the hospital staff were extremely helpful and supportive. No formula, ever. You can totally do it, and there are lactation specialists there ready to help!

I am expecting my 3rd baby in a couple of months, and am actually still nursing my 2 year old (he's just getting colostrum now, and it's only once a day, but still it's important to us). I am looking forward to nursing my new baby girl and having some real milk again, and will have another c-section.

Good luck!

[momz3]

Originally Posted by GoestoShow

My c-section made breastfeeding impossible. My milk never came in (no, really, it didn't) and had to play catch up. But I never could catch up, and the baby wasn't gaining weight. Andnow I'm in formula feeding hell.

I'm sorry it didn't work out.

[~PurityLake~]

Originally Posted by momz3

I do remember after she was born, I was in a recovery area...with other patients...I wonder if thats mandatory?

I was in a recovery room following my c-section with Abigail, surrounded by privacy hanging sheets, attached to a monitor with a nurse/tech? checking my vitals every 15 minutes until I was fully conscious. After Abigail was born, I remember waking in that space, and asking, 'Where's my baby? I want my baby NOW!' I couldn't wait to get out of there. I was in there a total of 1 and a half hours, but was only aware of the last 15-20 minutes when the nurse told me what was happening and why I was there, and that I could leave as soon as my vitals were stable. Once I was moved to my own room, I demanded they bring Abigail to me immediately.

I honestly cannot recollect if I was in a recovery room following Sophia's birth. I am thinking that I wasn't, that they just monitored me in my own room. My recovery overall from my second cesarean was amazingly quick compared to my first one. I could hardly move, or even get out of bed, or sit up even when I tried rolling to my side, for at least 7 weeks following Abigail's birth. I was in such pain. After Sophia's birth, I wasn't nearly as sore, recovered much quicker, about 2-3 weeks and I was walking around like normal. It probably has a lot to do with the long labor and stress the 3 days before Abigail was born. I think I've blocked a lot out for both births due to all the emotional and physical trauma involved.

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 12/13/10 at 9:58am

[Drummer's Wife]

Just wanted to say I've had 4 c-sections and breastfed all of my babies. It wasn't always easy (especially with my first) but it was well worth the effort.