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Original poster

Are C-Section babies more chilled/relaxed?

62 replies

JC2021 · 06/10/2021 21:06

My sister has just had a c section to the most peaceful/chill little girl.

In contrast, her son who is now nearly 5 was born naturally (quite a difficult labour) episiotomy needed after hours of pushing, he is a firecracker and has a totally different temperament.

I am hearing more and more people say that having a c section baby they have a chill baby!!!! Is there something in this I wonder??

No traumatic pushing and moving through mums body..!

OP posts:
Ethelfromnumber73 · 06/10/2021 21:42

You'd need to study this across a population rather than rely on anecdotes to find the answer

ComDummings · 06/10/2021 21:42

2 c-section babies, 1 a difficult baby and 1 very chilled. Just their personality.

Original poster
JC2021 · 06/10/2021 21:44

Yes and I guess defining exactly what difficult means...

I think i'm personally referring to difficult as being;

Fussy, colic, reflux, allergies, feeding problems, sleep issues, behavioural etc.,

OP posts:
Original poster
JC2021 · 06/10/2021 21:45

@Ethelfromnumber73 agree. Always interesting to hear from mothers in general too.

OP posts:
MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 06/10/2021 21:45

Dear lord no! I had 2 sections. Dd was a dream baby. DS was a 'std' baby and still a handful at almost 10!!!

Chillyseadippin · 06/10/2021 21:46

@Bitofachinwag

No. Moving through mums body is not traumatic for the baby.
Not always true, unfortunately.
leakymcleakleak · 06/10/2021 21:47

No, I think that what actually happens is people are more likely to have sections on 2nd/later births than VBACs and second children are more chilled. Among all the mothers I know well and knew with our first, the second baby has been a million times more chilled: reacting to more confident parents, parents just not having the time to fuss, who knows. But I think thats more likely than the other. The most 'high needs' baby I've known who was a first baby was the result of a calm planned section. Definitely doesn't correlate from my cohort of babies.

AlexaShutUp · 06/10/2021 21:52

Never heard this before.

My dd was born by c-section, and she has always been very chilled. She was a terrible sleeper as a baby though!

I don't really think the birth is what makes the difference. Personality is partly genetics, partly environmental in my view.

BendingSpoons · 06/10/2021 21:52

A vaginal birth is meant to reduce allergies on a population level due to the transfer of bacteria. It's also better for squeezing mucus out the baby, which is good health wise.

I had 2 babies vaginally and both were pretty chilled newborns, latched on within 2 minutes and no issues feeding. You would have to do a huge study rather than anecdotes.

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 06/10/2021 21:53

My two had very similar vaginal births. Secondborn is much more chilled. All babies, families, mother-baby dyads etc are unique, but I bet statistically second babies are much more likely to be described as chilled. Partly because they benefit from having a more experienced mother, partly because they simply have to slot in (so some of this is actual chilled behaviour because they're being left to get on with it / are busy marvelling at an impressive older sibling, and some of it is merely being perceived as chilled because we're not as available to constantly consciously monitor their cues and squeaks).

MrsMiddleMother · 06/10/2021 21:53

My csection baby was only calm for the first 5 days where he was on antibiotics, he soon became the noisy little ball of energy he still is

SylvanasWindrunner · 06/10/2021 21:55

My DD was a section and very calm and chilled as a baby. But think that's just her personality!

PeachesPumpkin · 06/10/2021 21:56

No

Franca123 · 06/10/2021 21:57

Two c-sections two very chilled babies. Both great sleepers. Far far easier than any of my friends babies who were vaginal. The c-sections were very chilled. No drama.

Pouffeycat · 06/10/2021 22:02

I have 3. First, natural birth with pethidine. Pretty chilled as a baby, carried on into life. Second was emergency section. As a baby, if upset by something... REALLY upset. Carried on into life.
Third, natural birth, gas and air. Chilled.

All of them slept horribly. All have asthma. Middle is affected worse.

My unscientific conclusion is that the birth doesn't affect personality but could maybe affect allergies.

iwannabelikeyouhoohoo · 06/10/2021 22:12

[quote JC2021]@olivehater wow... this is exactly what I'm referring to.. easier babies after c-section.. obviously temperament will show as they grow into toddlers and beyond but the first year or so being easier and less 'fussy' as babies! I think you're the type proof of what I've heard about! Thanks for your input![/quote]
In complete contrast, I had a section with my second and my body didn’t get the memo that I’d had the baby and it needed to produce some milk. Also the pain I felt afterwards impacted how easily I was able to feed him and meant our breastfeeding journey was fraught. He was an angry baby from day one, eased up around 3 years old. My first was a natural birth (with forceps) and he's my calm baby. Always slept, ate well, will come for a cuddle and read a book with me. It’s complete luck of the draw.

Original poster
JC2021 · 06/10/2021 22:19

Ahhh, ok definitely sounding mixed here.. like you said luck of the draw!!!

I know natural birth is a trauma for babies being born, as I'm sure c section might not be nice either but I do still wonder if it is a more peaceful exit..?

OP posts:
firstimemamma · 06/10/2021 22:25

My ds was born vaginally and was so peaceful and happy that he didn't even cry!

emmetgirl · 06/10/2021 22:26

🤦‍♀️

BendingSpoons · 06/10/2021 22:28

There's some thought that a c-section is a shock to babies, as it's so sudden, and that could potentially be as/more traumatic than a vaginal birth, particularly if the vaginal birth is straightforward.

Bitofachinwag · 07/10/2021 06:42

@JC2021

Ahhh, ok definitely sounding mixed here.. like you said luck of the draw!!!

I know natural birth is a trauma for babies being born, as I'm sure c section might not be nice either but I do still wonder if it is a more peaceful exit..?

No it's not more peaceful being suddenly taken out of the womb without warning .

Chillyseadipping no of course not always, but we're discussing vaginal vs caesarian births in general

WhatIsThisPlease · 07/10/2021 09:05

Yes this is true for mine. My newborn c-section baby was waaaaaaay easier than her two year old brother.

I always put it down to a boy/girl thing but who knows? 🤷‍♀️

(I know I found the c-section more relaxing than giving birth!!!!!)

Rrrob · 07/10/2021 09:13

Same as @MuchTooTired. Twins born by elcs. One is super chilled, one is....not.

user1471481356 · 07/10/2021 09:14

Absolutely not! My 2 boys are extremely active, highly emotional, non sleepers…. In contrast every one of their friends were natural births and they’re all chilled!

user1471481356 · 07/10/2021 09:15

Actually my labours and c sections were very traumatic, for me and the babies. So maybe something to that…

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