The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour after the birth of a child [1, 2], including after a C-section.
Will the pain medicine and anesthesia be in my breastmilk?
It doesn't matter whether drugs were used to relieve pain or to perform a C-section, experts believe that it’s important to place the baby on mama’s chest in the first hour after delivery [1]. A mother after a C-section is more likely to need the help of a birth partner to hold the newborn at her breast.
Is it true that mama’s who have a C-sections are more likely to have problems with milk production?
It’s a common misconception that mama’s who have C-sections have trouble with milk production; but it’s not caused by the C-section. Mamas have trouble with milk production if they are not able to start nursing immediately after birth, which can sometimes happen after a C-section [1].
How to put baby on mama’s chest after a C-section?
Statistics show that 40 percent of women after a C-section could not breastfeed the baby on the first attempt. Among those who gave birth vaginally, there were half as many of them [3].
The child should be set to the breast within an hour after birth. A birth partner and midwife can help mama choose a comfortable position for breastfeeding. They can also help hold and support the baby at the breast. Most hospitals will have a lactation consultant who can come help you with your latch and find comfortable positions for nursing [4].
By the time of discharge from the hospital, only 17 percent of mothers who had a C-section could not breastfeed their baby [3].
If mama’s condition after surgery does not allow for her to put the baby to the breast in the first hour or even in the first days, will it be possible to establish breastfeeding later?
Yes. It’s best to contact a lactation specialist who will provide support and help you choose the appropriate poses and strategy to start breastfeeding. It is possible that first you will need to start with pumping to get your milk production up [1]. It will be important to do skin-to-skin contact as much as possible. This will help you and baby start to breastfeed [1, 2].
