Breastfeeding After Cesarean Section

Breastfeeding is one of the most valuable relationships in life. It is an act that will take a long time and will have a lasting impact on the health of both the mother and her baby. Provides closeness, connection, food for the newborn and a hormonal cocktail, which is beneficial for both mother and child.

Cesarean births are becoming more common nowadays. Many of them are unexpected and it is good for expectant mothers to be informed about the procedure in advance.

An operative birth can have an impact on the desire and attempts to breastfeed. Mothers who are looking forward to a normal birth may feel frustrated because their expectations have not been met. They may even be afraid that they will "fail" to breastfeed because they did not give birth normally.

These concerns are unfounded because there is no reason why a child's natural nutrition should not be successful after a cesarean section.

Partners can play a very important role here. Fortunately, in the last few years, they have been encouraged to attend the birth of the baby. In this way, your partner will be a strong moral and physical support from birth.

First breastfeeding after cesarean section

Remind your doctor, pediatrician and midwife that you want to breast-feed your baby as soon as possible.

In some hospitals, the baby is placed in skin-to-skin contact with the mother while she is still on the operating table. As soon as the pediatrician has established that the baby is in good condition, it can be placed under the sterile curtains on the mother's breast until the doctor completes the operation. If this is not possible in the operating room it will happen at a later stage in the recovery room.

Breastfeeding is often delayed because mothers who have had an operative birth need extra time to recover before they feel physically stable to take and breastfeed their baby. As soon as they are fully conscious and alert enough, they can pick up the newborn and attempt first breastfeeding. This usually happens in women who have been given spinal anesthesia, not general anesthesia. They can hold the baby earlier and carry it for a longer period of time.

Positioning the newborn to the breast is very important to help establish breastfeeding and prevent nipple soreness. Make sure you hold the baby exactly as you should - with your body close to you, your chin close to your chest, and your nose free (not pressed against the breast) so that you can breathe easily.

However, how long after the section you can get the baby and start breastfeeding depends on how you feel (you and the baby). As it has already become clear, more and more hospitals allow skin contact immediately after birth, as long as it is safe for both you and the newborn, and also allow mothers to breastfeed immediately after a cesarean section (while they are still in the operating room). So, if you are about to give birth and have a planned caesarean section, talk to your doctor about your desire to take and breastfeed your baby immediately after the operation, if of course circumstances allow.

When should breastfeeding wait?

Although it is best for the mother and baby to be in skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and for the baby to be breastfed within an hour, this may not happen after every operative birth.

Babies born by cesarean section may be a little sleepy, especially if the mother has been under general anesthesia for an extended period of time. This does not mean that breastfeeding will not be successful. You should know, however, that it may take longer for breast milk to flow. Also, the baby may need extra encouragement and stimulation to stay awake during breastfeeding, but this period usually lasts only a few days.

In some mothers who give birth by caesarean section, there is a later descent of breast milk, probably due to the additional stress of the operation. You can stimulate lactation by:

• start breastfeeding as soon as possible;
• use a breast pump if you cannot be with the baby for the first 12 hours;
• you have more frequent skin-to-skin contact with your baby;
• breastfeed often - every two or three hours, day and night;

Suitable postures for breastfeeding after cesarean section

Mothers who have given birth surgically often find it difficult to find a comfortable position in which to breastfeed without putting pressure on the operation.

You will probably even decide that breastfeeding after a cesarean section is a rather uncomfortable process (mostly because of the pain you are experiencing). Therefore, it is important to find a position that puts the least pressure on the site of the operative incision.

The most recommended positions for breastfeeding after cesarean section are:

• lateral position - it is most comfortable for many mothers, especially in the first few days after surgery;
• soccer ball pose - with a baby supported by a breastfeeding pillow;
• posture leaning on the back during a cesarean section.

Some positions will be more comfortable than others, so you need to try different ones and find out which one is most comfortable for you.

More information about positioning can be found in the topic: "Preparation and postures for breastfeeding".

Postpartum Painkillers - Should You Take Them?

You will probably be prescribed painkillers after the birth. As long as you use them briefly and in a safe dose (at most one tablet every six to eight hours), they are not a problem for the baby and are compatible with breastfeeding.

Many mothers worry that their prescribed medications after birth will have an adverse effect on the baby. Do not hesitate to take them if you need them, as severe pain can adversely affect breastfeeding. Both painkillers and antibiotics pass into breast milk in very small amounts. In addition, the amount of colostrum received during the first few days of breastfeeding is also very small, so the amount of medication taken by the baby is minimal.

You can find more about medications during breastfeeding in the topic: "Medications during breastfeeding".

Fungal infections due to antibiotics after cesarean section

You should be aware that antibiotics are routinely administered after a caesarean section and can cause fungal overgrowth, leading to a vaginal fungal infection (vaginal candidiasis), a fungal infection in the oral cavity (oral candidiasis), the area under the baby's diaper, and and on the nipples.

If you have taken antibiotics after a birth, this may increase the chance that the newborn will develop thrush (ie a fungal infection) in the mouth and / or possibly in the diaper area. You can prevent infections by:

• probiotic;
• precise cleaning and sterilization of bottles, pump parts and pacifiers after each use;
• good cleaning and drying of the nipples after breastfeeding and frequent change of pads (if you use them);
• avoid antibiotics when they are not needed.

If you do develop thrush, the infection can be passed between you and your baby. Therefore, consult a doctor to prescribe an antifungal product to use on the nipples and mouth of the baby.

Additional information on the topic in "Breastfeeding and thrush".

When we get home

Rest is important for every mother, but even more so for a mother who gave birth by cesarean section. Breastfeeding gives you a wonderful excuse to sit or lie down!

Some mothers need more time to recover than they do in a normal birth. Because a cesarean section is considered an abdominal operation, be careful not to lift anything heavier than the baby for at least 6 weeks or until the postpartum examination. Your body needs enough time to recover.

Finally

Do not allow anyone to convince you that breastfeeding after a cesarean section is an impossible process. If you need additional encouragement, contact a consultant who will be happy to help you and answer all your questions related to breastfeeding after a cesarean section. You could also contact another mother who has breastfed after a caesarean section to get advice from personal experience!