Experiences of breastfeeding after a c section- be honest, is it horrific?

[dottytablecloth]

I'm pregnant with dc2 and would like to bf this baby. Dc1 was ff so I've no idea what I'm letting myself in for really.

Ds1 will be 22 months when dc2 arrives so I'm worried this might be hard as he is still v demanding.

Anyway I remember the discomfort after the first section so do you think it's likely I'll be able to bf no.2?

I do worry about all the problems people have with bfing bit I would like to give it a go as this is definitely going to be my last baby.

Any positive experiences of breast feeding after a section?

[PedantMarina]

I read the title of this fred and didn't get what the problem is. Reading some replies, though, yes, perhaps a case of being concerned about the stitches and lack of core strength. But we didn't have much of a problem: DS co-slept with us in a little bedside alcove, and even reading the replies, I'm, like, "doesn't everybody feed lying down?".

Best of luck. On top of every other plus I'm sure you've already heard, BFing is the loveliest feeling.

[Writerwannabe83]

I had an elective section and establishing the feeding was difficult but that was because of my poor technique and not as a direct result of the section. What I found to be a negative was that because of the wound I couldn't just get out of bed and pick DS up whenever I fancied, it also took 9 hours for the numbness to wear off. Just make sure someone is there to help facilitate lots of skin-to-skin and enable you to feed as often as you can.

DS is 11 weeks old now and I'm still breastfeeding.

The best of luck with the section and birth

[FloJo151]

aswell as feeding lying down try the 'rugby ball' hold. it means tht baby is not lying over cs scar.

[Imeg]

I am still bfing - it took a good 6 weeks to get the hang of it but I don't think this was to do with the Caesarean, it was poor latch. I found the ward stay very stressful and I think focusing on establishing breastfeeding helped keep me calm. The worst problem I had was backache so as the others have said, make sure you are properly propped up. Also agree that it was hard at the beginning - esp when grandparents etc visited and wanted to cuddle the baby which was spending most of his time feeding - but it's much more efficient and convenient now.

[LittleLight82]

Success here. I was in recovery for about an hour and didn't get skin to skin (not the done thing with C sections here) but as soon as I was back in my room midwife handed DD to me and she latched right on. The first few days were a bit of a blur but I just made sure I was well propped up in bed with pillows and DD's hospital crib was as close to my head as possible and we managed fine. First night we more or less co-slept (as in she slept and I stayed awake all night staring at her) but since then she's been Moses basket adjacent and it's been fine. One tip I got was to tie a sheet to the foot of the bed to help pull yourself up at night for feeds until core strength improves!

[LittleLight82]

Addendum: by "managed fine" I of course mean I spent the first three days in hospital regularly bursting into tears and thinking I'd never get it right- and, come to think of it, that pattern continued for about the first three weeks. But physically we managed!

[middlings]

Sandboy that is a brilliant post. I'm copying and pasting that to give to new Mums I know trying to feed.

Two children in, both of whom were EBF for the first six months and then mixed fed and I did not know that about bottles! So thanks for that!

[janesxx]

was totally fine for me wasn't in any discomfort as I was on so much pain medication, was abit awkward changing position but that's it

[NocturnalBaby]

I'd agree with all the advice here - I had an emergency c-section and I'm happily still breastfeeding almost 4 months later. I would definitely invest in a My Breast Friend pillow, it takes the strain off your scar for upright feeding. In the first few days concentrate on learning to feed lying on your side, I found that by far the easiest. Plus I would really consider investing in some sort of bednest so you have to pick the baby up less - but if you can, put it on your OH's side for the first week or so and get him to hand you the baby. Good luck - it really is worth persevering for that first difficult week or so, it's so rewarding for both you and your baby in the longer term.