What it is
You had a cesarean and you want to nurse. Maybe you are searching 'positions after c-section' or 'milk delayed after cesarean.' After a cesarean, milk often comes in a little later, and the incision makes some holds hurt. Neither one means you cannot breastfeed.
What's typical
Milk often comes in around day three to five, about a day later than after a vaginal birth. Colostrum is there from the start. Skin-to-skin in the operating room or recovery helps feeding begin. Eight to twelve feeds a day is typical at first. Pain medicine from your surgical team is usually planned with nursing in mind. Ask to be sure.
What's known
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine notes that cesarean birth, long labor, and IV fluids can delay milk coming in. ACOG supports skin-to-skin in the operating room when mother and baby are stable.
What helps
- The football (clutch) hold or side-lying keeps the baby's weight off your incision.
- A pillow over the incision, under the baby, for cradle holds.
- Ask a nurse to help you into position the first few times. Raise the head of the bed.
- Hand expression in the first hours if the baby is sleepy or in the nursery.
When to call someone
- Nowfever over 100.4, an incision that opens, or redness spreading from it.
- Todayno sign of fuller breasts by day five, or fewer wet diapers than expected.
- At your next visitpain that keeps you from feeding, or a baby not back to birth weight by two weeks.
Who helps
Tools: Feeding Prep · Birthworker Directory
Related
- Cesarean recovery, week by weekPostpartum: Your Body
- When your milk comes inFeeding Your Baby
- Breastfeeding positionsFeeding Your Baby
- Skin-to-skin and the golden hourGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say
No one has posted under this topic yet. The first experience here will help the next mother who searches for it at 2 a.m.
Experiences and questions are their authors' own, not reviewed advice. The topic's steward lists the ones that help most in a credited digest once there is one. Unusual experiences stay, with a note.
Sources
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine — Clinical protocol on peripartum breastfeeding management for the healthy mother and infant at term
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee opinion on optimizing support for breastfeeding as part of obstetric practice
- La Leche League International — Breastfeeding after a cesarean birth
Sources are named, not yet linked. The steward verifies each one and adds the link.
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