Breastfeeding after C section

[tigerT]

I am booked in for an electice C section with my second baby due to the damage done last time.
My DD had real problems breastfeeding due to the trauma of her birth and it took 2 weeks before we got to grips with it (she had to be fed through a tube in her nose in the end as she was so dehydrated). I am determined to prevent similar problems this time, but have heard that it is hard to hold your baby to feed them immediately after C section. I was wondering if anyone has experience of this and can tell me what to expect and offer any tips?
Thanks

Hi Tiger
I had an emergency C section and while it was uncomfortable in the wound (sorry, actually downright painful and that was with strong painkillers, but it was bearable and I didn't know any different I suppose), I didn't have any major problems other than the sorts of thing that other people go though, latching probs, blocked ducts etc. The worst thing was being stuck in the hospital unable to reach over to DD and being reliant on the midwives (for the first night at least). I found a good nursing pillow helped take the pressure off the stitches a bit (spread the weight). I probably should have tried more feeds lying down on my side, so you might want to try that, using standard pillows to prop the baby up if needed. Erm that's all I can think of for now. Except I think I was lucky that DD cottoned on to what to do an hour after she was born (she latched on for about an hour). We didn't get the skin to skin contact we should have had, and she was taken away (with DH) whilst I was stitched up, which should not have happened. I would make sure your baby stays with you the whole time if possible. I'm sure you will find a planned cs less traumatic than your previous experience - you'll probably have quite a clear head about what you want and what you know you need. Wish you all the best of luck.

I found it pretty easy, actually -- had pillow under DS so between him and scar and I didn't find it particularly uncomfortable. Side lying is a good position if you do find the standard position uncomfortable.

Tiger - I had an emergency c-section with dd2. I didn't bf dd1 for as long as I wanted so was determined to bf dd2 for longer - so before I had her I got in contact with my local La Leche contact for help.

I wasn't expecting to have a c-section but this is what I did. For the first day, every time I needed to feed dd2 or change her I buzzed for a midwife - I was told to do this - as I shouldn't be trying to lift her myself.

I took in a nursing pillow, which I took in to lean on but ended up putting around my middle to support dd2.

I went home after 2 days and got my La Leche contact around to help me with latching etc - the best thing I learned was to feed lying down. I am still bf dd2 and she is 10 months next week. HTH

Tiger,
I had a planned section and like Racers, found the reaching/lifting of DD the hardest thing whilst in hospital. Actually holding her to feed was okay, but did involve a lot of pillow positioning! Once I got home I got a breastfeeding cushion (the sort of U shaped ones) and it made the whole thing a lot easier. I was worried that my milk wasn't going to come in because I wasn't going into labour naturally IFSWIM, but this didn't seem to be a problem, your body just knows when to make milk it seems. Good luck!

I had no trouble bfing any of mine( I've had 3 sections). The first time was the most uncomfortable with regard to the scar itself. I didn't have a bf cushion but one MW in the hospital suggested an ordinary cushion to prop ds1 on while feeding. I am lucky though, I've never had issues with sore nipples/incorrect latch.

Hi Tiger,
I had 2 elective c-sections as both DD and DS were breach. With DD the b/f didn't go that smoothly as it took a few days until I had milk and due to me not being able to move and bad counselling I had terrible nipple problems, but in a few weeks everything was fine and DD b/f till she was 14 months - she stopped when I got pregnant with DS. The c-section with DS was much much easier! I had so much less pain! It was completely differnt. I think you'll find it much easier now too. A few hours after DS was born, I already manged to get out of bed a walk around in the corridors (didn't attend the marathon yet, though...) and the b/f went quicker and had no problems. I was surprised what a big difference there was. I think it was also due to my determination to heal quickly so that I could be with DD and not neglect her. I think that that too will make a positive difference for you too - having already a child at home.
Good luck!!! I'm sure you'll find it much easier this time around

Hi Tiger, I thnk breastfeeding after a cs can be more difficult but there are lots of things you can do to help:

Pillows like everyone has suggested are a godsend, as many as you need to protect your scar and bring baby up to the right level for you, you won't be as flexible as women who have had a vaginal birth for a few days so having pillows support baby and bring them to the correct level can really help the latch, many hospitals are very short of pillows so you may wish to consider asking family to bring some of yours in for you if you find this the case.

Make sure you get skin to skin contact asap sfter the cs, some hospitals encourage it on the theatre table, others don't, make sure your gown is loose enough to get baby right next to your breast and if you have to wait 'till recovery to have skin to skin ask the midwives not to dress baby, just to wrap them in towels and bankets so it is easier for you to have skin to skin without all the hassel of undressing them!

Don't forget to drink, if you are dehydrated it will do nothing for your milk production, especially as you tend to have a greater blood loss at cs than after a vaginal birth.

Ask the hospital if they have a bedside crib, these cribs have threes sides and clip onto the side of your bed making it easier for you to get your baby in and out without having to get out of bed.

Good luck, you sound like you have the determination to make it work well for you!

I had em C-section and was v. poorly but had no problems breast feeding. Feeding whilst lying on your side is easiest, cushions are good too. I have a glider chair and found this really useful for finding a comfortable position. I couldn't really move after my section (long story and soon recovered) but the midwives were great at bringing DS to me for feeding. You have the advantage of a planned section so make sure you get lots of help organised to ensure you don't do too much! Try not to worry, I'm sure you'll manage just fine .

after my c-section the easiest and least painful way to feed was using a boomerang shaped pillow or feeding pillow - took the weight of baby and gave support. Also lying on my side was a good position too.

having a c/s didn't affect breastfeeding for me both times. just make sure you get as much support as possible in hospital

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and tips. lots of helpful ideas and encouragement! It seems like lots of pillows are the way forward.

Thanks!

I had a nightmare trying to prop DS up on pillows - they were too high, too low. I felt like Goldilocks. And then I used a proper u-shaped feeding cushion, and that was just right! Invest now! It's useful for back support when you're pregnant, so you'll really get your money's worth.