Unable to BF due to csection

[Mummytobabygirl]

Hi everyone, not sure if anyone else has gone through the same as me!

I had a csection at 39 weeks due to baby being breech since 30 weeks and her head stuck under my ribs (she is beautiful and perfect in every way)

I wanted to BF her but the day she was born was a struggle she was latching on but was unable to feed she was getting so stressed but the midwifes insisted that I continue to try and feed her myself one was even trying to help massage my breast but nothing happened at all. Finally hours after she was born I was able to formula feed her, I just feel guilty as I wanted to feed her myself, only 2 weeks after she was born did the colostrum kick in, As midwives have said since she was born due to a csection the body has to start to heal first and that they give you an injection to tell your body you’ve given
Birth but other midwives are not so friendly that she’s bottle fed

Sorry for rambling x

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

I’m a bit confused. I had a c-section and had no trouble breastfeeding my twins. They shouldn’t be telling you it’s because of the c-section. I have never heard of that.

If you need to formula feed then you do! Not your fault!! But, if you have colostrum now she is still young enough to learn to breastfeed if that’s what you want. Is there a lactation consultant in your area?

[overthemoonbymidnight]

I had an emergency c section. Little one struggled with breastfeeding and I was in so much pain and was finding it hard to get comfortable so we couldn't really make it work. He was stressed, I was stressed, there was so much crying on all sides. It was awful. We switched to formula and it was the best decision I've ever made. He was happy, I was happy, he was fed, I wasn't in pain. The midwives were horrible about it, no support, some nasty comments were made!!

Do what's best for you and your baby and try to ignore the "professionals". xx

[december212]

My little girl was bottle fed. Her friend was breast fed first 6 months. Both are developing well for their age and meeting milestones earlier than expected and easily. You would never know how they were fed when initially by looking at them. Fed is fed, don't have guilt about bottle feeding.

[user1483387154]

Sorry but that makes no sense. It is not to do with having a c section.
I am sorry you have problems breastfeeding . Giving formula when feeding is nothing to feel bad about

[Mummytobabygirl]

Thank you for your comments.
Our DD is doing so well being bottle fed it just comments from midwives etc which is hard not to take to heart when emotions are running so high!
@overthemoonbymidnight I know what you mean about the pain and being uncomfortable.

Thank you all x

[Bowlofbabelfish]

It may not be anything to do with the CS. I had a section and the baby was feeding as I was sewn up.

The question is what do YOU want to happen? If you’re happy with formula then that’s your choice and you should carry on. If you really want to BF it is still possible most likely - it’s called relactation. It’s hard work but if you contact your local breastfeeding support then they can assist you.

Feed whichever way is best for you.

[overthemoonbymidnight]

I feel for you!! Those first few weeks of pain, guilt and nasty comments were heartbreaking. I had a big baby and one midwife told us that by formula feeding he would become obese! At the time I was terrified and felt awful and like I was failing him. He's 1 now and no where near obese!! xx

[AndhowcouldIeverrefuse]

What user said.

I am so sorry you have had problems breastfeeding your baby - but the reason must be something else, not your section.

I had a vaginal birth - colostrum straightaway, milk took 3 days, baby struggled to latch and feed so she was mixed fed. Then a c section - baby fed like a dream from the minute he was placed on top of me and my milk came within less than 24 hours.

Don't beat yourself up about it, there is nothing wrong with formula and I wished there were less myths about BF peddled by midwives (that a section stops you from BF, that milk comes within a few days in all cases etc).

Congratulations on your baby BTW

[Happygolucky009]

Congratulations on your baby girl, it's good to hear she is doing well. Sadly, I feel you were both misled and let down by the midwifery service. By telling you bf after a c-section is impossible implies it's something beyond your reach and can perpetuate feelings of guilt and failure. When the reality was that had the midwife spent time to support you, a different outcome could have been achieved. But it seems offering you a bottle and poor advice was much easier and quicker 😟.

[BarbieBrightSide]

I agree with previous posters that fed is fed, mothers put way too much pressure on themselves to have the perfect birth and to breastfeed.

But struggling to breastfeed has nothing to do with having a c-section (I've had two).

Please don't beat yourself up about formula feeding.

[Phillipa12]

All 4 of my dc have been born by section, dc1 was bottlefed after milk didnt come in and we were both getting stressed, dc2 was bottlefed as struggled with latch, dc 3 and 4 were breast fed, both took to breast feeding very easily. Only ever recieved grief from midwives over bottle feeding with dc1. As long as your dc is gaining weight and is happy dont worry, and just because dc1 is bottle fed dosent mean all of your dc will be.

[INeedNewShoes]

My milk was slow to come in after my c section. I had to do a lot of hand expressing to get the colostrum and then expressed using a breast pump to encourage my milk to come in. In the meantime the hospital made me formula feed DD which compounded the problem. It took me 4 weeks to have the confidence to lose the formula top ups but feeding went really well once we did. DD was then exclusively breast fed (and still feeding now at 12 months).

If you want to breast feed you still can but if you would rather formula feed don't let others' opinions upset you.

[Pannacott]

If you want to breastfeed you still can, it's perfectly possible. C sections don't stop you breastfeeding (personal experience).

Do you want to breastfeed? That would be great! It's true that there are many benefits to mother and baby. That is why midwives promote it. If you don't want to breastfeed, that's your choice.