Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Breastfeeding after c-section

50 replies

LunaDreams · 12/09/2021 08:58

Hi all.

I have a c-section booked for 39 weeks due to large baby/GD.

I saw my sister in law yesterday who told me about her c-section at 38 weeks for same reason...she told me having a section made it really hard for her to breastfeed as her body wasn't ready for baby to born, that her milk didn't come in for ages and that she felt really flat and detached with baby due to this and having a section versus vaginal birth. She basically implied that I shouldn't even bother trying to BF and should go straight to formula.

Whilst I appreciate her honesty and experience it has made me feel deflated as I would like to try BF but now don't know if I should even bother.

Is it worth taking formula/bottles/a breast pump in with me just in case?

Any other experiences greatly appreciated-
I'm a FTM as you can probably tell!

OP posts:

NothingEverChangesButTheShoes · 12/09/2021 09:05

I don't think it makes much difference. I know ladies who have had multiple sections and have sucessfully breast fed. I think it is partly mindset, how you managed during birth, whether you had an elective or emergency section.
Me? I managed three days after an emcs. I was in a complete state after a 40 hour labour so I was tired and hadn't eaten in all that time.
I'd not buy formula yet. Try it. You can always send someone to get some if breast feeding isn't for you.
Good luck, keep hydrated, and remember fed is best.

SW1amp · 12/09/2021 09:10

My DS was born my section at 39 weeks, and I was feeding him in the theatre while they stitched me up!
I then successfully breastfed for months

The milk production reflex is triggered by the placenta detaching, so what your SIL told you is absolute nonsense

I’ve had friends who had very premature babies who had plenty of milk. Once the baby is out, your body knows to start making milk and the more your baby tries to feed, the more milk you’ll produce

The wound might make it a bit uncomfortable to feed in certain positions for a few days, but nothing a pillow or cushion can’t solve, or feeding in bed on your side

Good luck

MaidenoftheSpear · 12/09/2021 09:17

I've had 2 CS, one emergency at 42wks and one planned at 39 - first baby struggled to feed but got there eventually (bloody hard work for a few days though!) 2nd got it straight away- milk was fine both times.
You'll get support in hospital and trust your baby to know what to do. You're going to be brilliant- enjoy meeting your little one.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 12/09/2021 09:19

I had my baby at 37 weeks and had no real issues BFing. Your body responds to demand so it should make no difference if you get baby latched on soon after birth.

The hospital usually has pumps or formula if you need them.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 12/09/2021 09:19

I should say it was by c section at 37 weeks.

Dogsandbabies · 12/09/2021 09:24

I have had 3 sections. BF the first with no problems. Second went to SCBU for over a week and refused to BF after the cannula, feeding tube and bottle so I exclusively pumped for six very long months. Third baby is FF. We tried BF and he latched very well initially but when I introduced top ups due to weight loss he lost every interest in trying to BF.

I think what is important is to be prepared for anything. This way you manage your own expectations and disappointment. Preserving you mental health in the midst of sleeplessness, hormonal changes and tiredness as well as the pain and discomfort of the c-section recovery is most important. I have bonded very well with all my babies and they are all thriving.

Good luck!

CookieCrunch123 · 12/09/2021 09:29

I’ve had c sections and never had these issues. BF both times. On the other hand I have friends who has straight forward vaginal births and then couldn’t BF. I don’t think there’s any link to how you birth. Just try it for a few days but if it doesn’t work out don’t stress. There can be a lot of pressure to BF. Fed is best.

Echobelly · 12/09/2021 09:32

2 medically required c section, 10 days pre due date. Milk came in fine, BF didn't work out with oldest, but that was nothing to do with c section, worked with DS.

AliMonkey · 12/09/2021 09:32

I had CS followed by VBAC. Breastfed both. Took about the same length of time to get going with both but once established was fine (other than sore nipples with VBAC baby) and bf both for over a year (with some formula as well after 7 months due to going back to work at 6 months). But in my view it’s useful to be prepared for ff as well in terms of having a couple of cartons and bottles so less stressful if you do have to go down that route.

Pinkflipflop85 · 12/09/2021 09:32

I had a crash section with dc1 and an emergency section with dc2.

Both spent time in scbu.

Breastfed both of them.

Chocolatebuttercream · 12/09/2021 09:36

I've heard this too but it didn't happen to me - 2 c sections and my milk came in on day 2 for both.

I also have a close friend, and a family member, who both had a section and could feed.

The only person I know who actually could not produce enough milk after birth, was someone who had a vaginal birth and then had a massive haemorrhage and nearly died. Her body quite naturally prioritised making more blood and healing, over milk production so she combi-fed.

Silverswirl · 12/09/2021 09:36

Total nonsense. I had a csection for twins at 37 weeks and bf from the hour they were born until 18 months.
Breast milk is produced after birth wether c section or vaginal. In fact many women produce colostrum even before birth. What she has said is factually wrong. You can do some research to get to your own conclusions.

NewmummyJ · 12/09/2021 09:43

I had an emergency c section due to difficult circumstances at 40 weeks and my baby latched in recovery no problem (with support of excellent midwife) and have breastfed ever since (I'm FTM to 7 month old).

The best piece of advice I was given was if I was set on breastfeeding- don't take formula 'just in case', breastfeeding is hard, you will be exhausted, it will be too tempting to use during the difficult emotional moments of establishing breastfeeding. Formula is readily available if you do need it, but using it can interfere with establishing your breastmilk supply. Likewise with a pump, the hospital can supply, so if latch is difficult you can pump to top up and encourage milk supply.

Good luck!

NewmummyJ · 12/09/2021 09:45

Should also add it did not effect my ability to bond with baby, even though I couldn't do skin to skin straight away as I was unwell with low blood pressure. It really is individual so don't let anyone elses experience put you off trying to breast feed and parent the way you would like!

RavenclawsRoar · 12/09/2021 09:51

Of course try if you want to! I have successfully bf-d both my dc.
Dc1 - first feed was formula as I was in theatre being stitched and having blood transfusions, no skin to skin straight away. Lost 3.5 litres of blood. Bad infection postnatally (both ds1 and I on IV antibiotics). I was in HDU. Still managed to establish breastfeeding although I subsequently learnt the odds had been stacked against us!
Dc2 - c section. Ds2 latched on in recovery and we had an incredibly easy bf-ing journey. I had a friend who was adamant I wouldn't be able to bf as I was having a c section. She was totally and utterly wrong!
Now pregnant and planning another c section. Definitely planning to bf although I'm very much aware each baby is different so if it doesn't pan out this time then so be it. Absolutely no harm in giving it a good go though!

serielchanger · 12/09/2021 09:59

C-section here. Baby was exclusively breastfeed until food was introduced at 6months and continued to breastfeed until 22 months.

Everyone is different. Don't listen to her, just give it a go and give it your best shot

Helporhindrance07 · 12/09/2021 10:08

I’ve had c sections with both my DC and never had any issues with milk coming in. In fact with DC2 who I had at 36 weeks, my milk came in just 36 hours after birth, and we’d been feeding as early as the recovery ward. Don’t worry about bringing a pump, the hospital lent me a pump and steriliser etc due to needing to top up DC2 with EBM. And if formula was needed at short notice, wouldn’t your birth partner nip out and get some? The hospital will certainly be able to help in the short term anyway.

mishmased · 12/09/2021 10:49

The best thing you can do to prepare is read about newborn behavior. If there are any breastfeeding groups around visit them. Learn about cluster feeding, go on the kellymom website and get in touch with breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultant.
Breastfed babies cluster feed a lot in the early weeks so be prepared especially if you don't know anyone that has breastfed. The womanly art of breastfeeding is a good book.
If you get support in place now before baby is born, the support will be there if you run into any difficulties later on.

As with some others I have had 3 c sections.
First 10 days after due date- emergency after baby's heart rate dropping breastfed well until 27 months.

Second 9 days after due date crash emergency been labouring for over 30 hrs unable to eat and baby was stuck. Turns out cord was wrapped around neck, hands and ankles. Breastfed until 28 months.

Third born this year elective section at 39 weeks and is currently breastfed at 16 weeks.

When I was going home from hospital after my first was born, I was given readymade formula by a lovely care assistant lady, she knew I was breastfeeding but 'in case it doesn't work when you get home" I never used the formula and ended up throwing it out when it expired.
Best of luck with your birth and baby.

Original poster

LunaDreams · 12/09/2021 11:58

Wow thank you all so much for your responses- it is so reassuring to hear how many of you managed to BF after a section.

I'm certainly not dead set on BF as fully agree with 'fed is best'. I appreciate every situation and baby is different and things don't always go to plan but I'll give it a go and not take formula etc- as PP said it's pretty easy stuff to get at short notice.

Thanks guys

OP posts:

YouMeandtheSpew · 12/09/2021 14:52

The best thing you can do to prepare is read about newborn behavior. If there are any breastfeeding groups around visit them. Learn about cluster feeding, go on the kellymom website and get in touch with breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultant. Breastfed babies cluster feed a lot in the early weeks so be prepared especially if you don't know anyone that has breastfed. The womanly art of breastfeeding is a good book. If you get support in place now before baby is born, the support will be there if you run into any difficulties later on.

I really agree with this. I breastfed but was totally blindsided by how intense it was at first, I just didn’t expect it at all. For example I was so worried when my baby fed pretty much constantly from 6pm-10pm every evening - I thought it must mean something was wrong, but I know now it’s totally normal newborn behaviour.

And I know lots of mums who’ve breastfed successfully after sections!

Leafblower14 · 12/09/2021 19:33

I had my baby 3 days ago via c section at 39 weeks, my colostrum came in straight away and my milk has arrived today 3 days later, successfully breathing feeding this time round as after my previous pregnancy my son had feeding issues

EmbarrassingMama · 12/09/2021 19:36

Mine was delivered at 42 weeks by EMCS. He was breastfeeding an hour later in recovery and we had a very easy and stress free breastfeeding journey the whole time.

Definitely don’t let it put you off if it’s something you’d like to do. Speak to your midwife about colostrum harvesting beforehand too. Good luck!

SoftSheen · 12/09/2021 19:44

I've had two babies by c-section. The first was a 'crash' section under general anaesthetic following a long period of induction/labour. The second was an elective.

I genuinely had no problems breastfeeding after either section, in fact it was easy. Of course everyone's experience is different, and for many women and babies it takes a few weeks to get the hang of things. However, don't assume you are going to run into difficulties- you might be absolutely fine.

I would also recommend reading 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding', which contains a wealth of useful information. One of the most important things to remember is that small babies often feed very frequently, and sometimes for long periods of time. This is completely normal and not an indication that things aren't going well. Good Luck

LifeExperience · 12/09/2021 20:33

I had a c-section and had no problem breastfeeding my son. In fact, I breast fed him almost immediately after birth because his blood sugar was low. I had plenty of milk. I had my second child vaginally and the breastfeeding experience was the same--no problems, plenty of milk.

Bennetgirl · 13/09/2021 18:00

This is a really interesting thread.

I’ve had 3, all naturally. I formula fed one, breast fed one for 9 months and desperately wanted to breast feed no 3. She just would not have it and I was advised to formula feed.

Even natural labours don’t mean breastfeeding will work. Go in with an open mind. Have a few ready made bottles (with the sterilised teats) just in case but definitely give it a go.

I’m more pg with a very big no 4 so possibly looking at c section. I’m still going to try breast feeding x

Flip

1 2