Breastfeeding after a Caesarian Section
"sorry if this question sounds stupid but.....
"my friend told me that she couldn't BF because she had a section and now im worried: yesterday my mw told me my baby is breech and it would be likely that I will need a section. I really want to bf, will I be able to???
susan
Hi Susan!
Both cl-Fiona and I had sections with our first babies - she fed her daughter till she self weaned eventually at about 3.5 years, and my son self-weaned at about 19 months.
So it can definitely be done!
Incidentally, my son was breech until 37 weeks then turned, so if this is the same as your situation there's no need to worry, and also it's perfectly possible to give birth naturally to a breech baby.
I will give you the same advice re: breastfeeding as I give to to any expectant mum - get support, and advice, from BEFORE you have your baby - see the BF Support website for details of support networks who may have local support groups in your area, and then go and see some of them. Knowing where to go for advice, support and practical help is 50% of the battle - the other 50% is made up of determination to breastfeed, and also some luck!
Women have all kinds of reasons for not breastfeeding - but I'm afraid that for many of them, it's simply that they aren't properly supported by the medical professionals dealing with them, and aren't shown how to breastfeed successfully with whatever situation they have - whether it's a sore tum, sore 'bits', sore nipples or a low supply - all of these are perfectly overcome-able.
Hope that puts your mind at ease some.
Shel
Mum of Riley
Hi Susan, it's not true that you can't bf if you have a c-section although it can be more difficult. I had an emergency c-section after a long labour, we did have a difficult start to bfing (although I think it would have been difficult even without the birth issues as I have flat nipples and my DD had trouble learning to latch on) but we overcame it and I'm still bfing her at 10 months. So if you want to bf then having a c-section shouldn't stop you. It can be harder to find a comfy position to feed - try to get someone to help you learn to feed lying down, that way there is no pressure on the wound (although I still needed to put something over my tummy as my DD was very wriggly and kicked me!), or get plenty of pillows to take the weight of the baby and get comfy.
I agree with Shel that finding out now about bf counsellors and the like in your area is a great idea. I took the phone numbers for bf counsellors and the NCT helpline into hospital with me - and I was glad I did because bf support at my hospital is not very good and I phoned the NCT bfing line while I was still in hospital.
Hopefully you won't need a c-section, but if you do rest assured it IS possible to bf!
Good luck,
Hannah and Miriam (10 months old)
Hi Susan
My twins were delivered by c-section at 35 weeks because of pre-eclampsia ... and we're still breastfeeding almost 7 months later. It can be done - I have heard that it can often take a day or 2 longer for your milk to come in because the triggers released in a vaginal delivery don't happen. My milk came in on day 4 so I personally had no problem with it. The twins were supplemented until my milk came in but that was because they were prem and the hospital made sure that they didn't supplement with bottles because they knew how much I wanted to breastfeed. I'm sure it won't be a problem.
Ellie
Dear Susan,
Both my DD's were born by emergency section after long labours and I have breastfed them both. My best advice would be to get a nursing pillow (v shaped bean bag pillow). This helped me immenseley with both my dd's. The pillow protects the wound left by the caesarean and also is excellent for helping to position your baby correctly for feeding.
HTH
Love Chrissie Molly(2) and Caitlin (12 weeks)