How to Breastfeed After a C Section

Between latching on and nipple soreness, nursing can be a challenge for any new mother, but if your baby was born via c-section, surgery recovery can add an extra layer of difficulty. Fortunately with the right positioning, support from your partner and a lactation consultant near by, you can develop a wonderful nursing relationship with your infant after a Caesarean. Here's how to breastfeed after a c-section.

Instructions

1

Prepare to nurse while you're still pregnant. Read books like "So That's What They're For" and "The Nursing Mother's Companion." See if your hospital offers a breastfeeding seminar for pregnant women. Also get the contact information for a well-regarded lactation consultant if your hospital isn't fully staffed with nurses trained in lactation--you might want to call her for help after you give birth.

2

Ask to nurse your baby as soon after your surgery as possible. Unless your baby is taken to the NICU or there are complications, you should be able to nurse as soon as you're taken into recovery. At this point, your baby will be getting colostrum, a pre-milk that's gold in color, not breastmilk--that will come in within 2 to 6 days of birth.

3

Breastfeed every 2 hours after your baby is born to encourage a strong milk supply. Even if your baby just nurses for a few minutes, you'll be encouraging your milk to come in.

4

Use either the side-lying position or the football hold, which should be comfortable to you as you recover from major abdominal surgery. Other positions might be more difficult until you've fully healed.

5

Ask nurses, lactation consultants and/or your doula for help with position and latch. Make sure you feel confident about whether your baby is in the right position before you leave the hospital. One of the few benefits of a c-section is you'll have more time in the hospital to get help from experts about positioning.

6

Get contact information for lactation consultants and any public breastfeeding "warmlines" you can call if you're having trouble with nursing. You might need some guidance in the next few weeks as you get a better handle on nursing and recover from your c-section--but in the end, it will be well worth the effort.