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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Breastfeeding after a C Section

32 replies

Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 18:45

I will be having an ELCS. I wonder is it worth taking my own pillow into hospital to maximise my chances with comfort and therefore success. If so, what would anyone recommend?

With my first baby, I had an awful labour and birth and an absolutely awful time of it all really. I had to have surgery afterwards and DC was hungry so the midwife choices them while I was on the table. I recall trying and trying in hospital and it seemed sort of successful eventually but in hindsight there was possibly not a good enough latch. Having said that, I was very traumatised and still have not got over the birth!

I ebf for 7 or 8 days but DC did not gain enough weight and I could not get an adequate supply. I was exhausted and it just wasn't working.When the midwife suggested I express inbetween feeds, I could only express a teaspoon or so. I did not know about a breastfeeding support group that was actually very close to home; the one they told me about was in the hospital I had just had a traumatic time in and who wants to bother with a hospital with no parking etc. Not that I felt up to leaving the house anyway.

I'm just looking for a decent pillow/cushion that may help, as, I'm hoping for a bit more success this time, although I will not beat myself up about it if it doesn't work out this time. I'm also conscious that they generally kick you out of hiatal after 48 hours after a C section, so my milk supply might not actually have got going yet.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 17/12/2016 18:47

I was able to feed after both cs. You could take an extra pillow in. I used a my breast friend one but I didn't need to for a while after birth.

Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 18:51

Thanks for the quick reply. I did see the my brest friend but it is so expensive I thought I'd ask for some opinions first! How long did you use the my brest friend?

OP posts:
AllTheRAGE · 17/12/2016 19:01

Blahblah if you can get to a local breastfeeding drop-in or call them up or even try organisations like La Leche League or the BfN (whoever is active in your area) then a lot of them will lend you a pillow. You shouldn't need it after 6-8 weeks usually. Great that you're so organised and thinking ahead Wink Best of luck!

SaltySeaBird · 17/12/2016 19:02

I found a boomerang shaped pillow useful, it was a cheap one from Argos and less structured that some specific breatfeeding pillows.

My CS was an emergency under GA and I EBF my DS for 6 months and then continued to breastfeed to 8 months. Would have liked to continue but we ran into difficulty but by then I don't think it was the fault of the CS.

Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 19:06

I have that one fromArgos from my last pregnancy! I found it has lost its support a bit but I could use that for taking into hospital. I currently use a Theraline to improve my comfort when sleeping as the Argos one wasn't supportive enough, but perhaps I shouldn't write it off just yet?

6 months is great! Frankly, I don't mind if I do combined breast and formula feeding; all I want is a less bad experience overall.

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 17/12/2016 19:50

I bfed both of mine after the ELCSs. DD was waiting for me in the room after recovery, DS was brought to me to bf in recovery (better policy imo). My milk came in on day 2 and it always feels stressful until the milk comes in but other than that I didn't have any problems. When I got home (day 3) i was able to be lying down which was a savior for me for night times.

My best advice would be to get help asap if things are not working out.

Wolverbamptonwanderer · 17/12/2016 19:54

The good thing about a c section IMO is that can you ask every passing midwife to check your latch! My DS was emergency under GA and he was alone for about an hour trying to BF off every passing nipple from what I can gather. I came out and he went straight on, latched like a dream. The latch slipped but we were in post natal for 2 nights and able to get help (ask for it ask ask ask)

Then when you're out breastfeeding clinics are your friend. Don't worry about a Cushion it won't make much difference

Sparrowlegs248 · 17/12/2016 20:02

I bf ds after having him.by elcs. Didn't take a pillow, but spent most of the time in hospital with the head of the bed raised up.

Re not gaining weight etc - it's not unusual for ebf babies to be slower to regain their birth weight. It took ds three weeks.

And milk coming in, had him lunchtime Friday, boobs of steel by Monday morning.

SharkBastard · 17/12/2016 20:05

I had an EMCS and didn't take a pillow in, just used a hospital pillow. I had no problems breastfeeding, and managed to 14 months as that was when DD wanted off the boob.

Good luck and remember to ask for help when needed!!

Haggisfish · 17/12/2016 20:12

Both dc were skin to skin after cs and I fed both of them in the recovery room.

Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 20:28

It seems like early skin to skin contact is key- is this the so called golden hour?
As I tore so badly with the delivery, I only had brief contact with DC then had to hobble to a side room and get myself on a bed for a registrar to examine me and then got taken to theatre etc.
My local LLL is too far (for me to drive myself there and find parking etc) when I know the first few days and weeks will be awful. There is a local children's centre that does breastfeeding support if I can bring myself to venture out of the house after DC2 arrives.
To be honest, I'm dreading the postpartum period. Im physically and mentally worn out from my first and this pregnancy is not being kind to me so far!

OP posts:
Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 20:30

Thanks notalotta. Perhaps I just had a bad time of it all. DC was a bit jaundiced, hungry all the time, not gaining weight and I'd had enough. Maybe it'll be a tree experience this time.

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 17/12/2016 20:34

My hospital had bf helpers and trained volunteers who would visit you at home.

Sparrowlegs248 · 17/12/2016 20:37

Yes I think skin to skin helps a lot. Ds had a quick rub down then straight on my chest where he stayed for ages.

Bf can be hard going, everyone told me how well I was doing, then all of a sudden it was like I was doing it wrong. The best advice I got (after four different versions from mw, HV and bf support) was on the infant feeding board here.

Goid luck.

Bertieboo1 · 17/12/2016 20:37

After my c sections the midwife in the recovery room put him onto the nipple and this seemed to really help, especially with my second. With both I had to mix feed for the first few days then cut out the formula gradually as my supply built up. Good luck!

Wolverbamptonwanderer · 17/12/2016 20:47

I wouldn't worry to much about LLL, their reach is quite narrow in terms of locations. NCT BF helpline is good, and I found HV/ NHS BF clinics based in children's centres very good. When you get back from hospital you'll have midwife visits and the HV- make them all watch you BF even if they seem busy and rushed. Go to BF clinic everyday if you need too.

Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 20:51

Is it true that you don't want to make them cry too long as then they're not able to latch on so well? Plus it tires them and makes them burn more off when you're actually trying to get them to gain weight?

I only say this because a well meaning family member kept reiterating it is important to let them cry because " it opens up their lungs", which sounded a bit like an old wive's tale to me, an in any case, DC was hungry!

OP posts:
Wolverbamptonwanderer · 17/12/2016 21:47

Of course crying doesn't open their lungs! Everytime they cry you need to offer the breast. That's 99% of the time what they want

Original poster
Blahblahblahyadayadayada · 17/12/2016 22:22

Yeah that's what I thought! If they had problems with their lungs they would not send you home (I hope).

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 18/12/2016 06:28

Everyone is different but CS recovery need not be awful. A week after having DS he spent all day in a sling going from office to office to apply for a passport and two weeks later we flew back home. You never know, you may have a very good recovery.

Eminado · 18/12/2016 06:36

Just wanted to encourage you as ive had 2 sections one em and one el 4 months ago.
I asked for immediate skin to skin (discussed at pre op apptment), and i had her on me within minutes. Loads of people helped me with latch, positioning and syringing colostrum.

I got sent home the next day.

I had LOADS of issues afterwards but bfeeding was not one of them. So stay positive.

Very best of luck to you.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 18/12/2016 07:23

I breastfed successfully after c sections

Most important thing is knowledge - what is normal, how to do it, what to do if you have problems
Kellymom website is great
kellymom.com/category/pregnancy/bf-prep/

Does your hospital run a breastfeeding class in pregnancy?

My area have a breastfeeding advisor who visits new mums at home, check if yours does

There are Facebook groups where you can ask for advice / support from other breastfeeding mums, eg breastfeeding yummy mummies

The day before your milk to come in can feel a bit mad, so some support from mums who have done it before is invaluable

Somersetlady · 18/12/2016 07:36

Go for it! Two sections here and two ebf boys!
First son no problem milk came in and colosrum was day 1.
Second had to have some prem formula due to complications with me and having low blood sugar but i insisted on a dropper to feed him it not a bottle with teet.

Your milk will come just keep trying if you can and best of luck.

PosiePaRumPaPaPumParker · 18/12/2016 07:39

I breast fed after all four of mine.
Emcs with a spinal after long labour
Emcs with GA resuscitated baby too.
Two planned sections. One took 45 minutes to cut through...

Bf all. Had bad advice first two times and gave up before six months.

perfectlybroken · 18/12/2016 07:49

FlowersSorry to hear about your first experience. I had 2 unplanned c-sections, with both of them they gave the baby to me immediately and I cuddled him while they sewed me up and breastfed in the recovery room. Remember that even with a c section you can still have a birth plan so write it down and tell anyone of everyone what you want. I really struggled with bf the first time but there was a lot of support available and eventually it settled down. Best of luck