NURSING
MOTHERS, INC.
Cesarean Birth
Factsheet 16
One breastfeeding myth is that a woman who has delivered by cesarean section cannot nurse. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Many women who have cesareans, whether these were planned or emergencies, nurse successfully. Some adjustments, notably in positioning, may be necessary as you recover from major surgery. But it is possible for you and your baby to enjoy the full range of benefits breastfeeding offers.
Advantages of Nursing
· In many ways, nursing your baby will be easier on you than bottle-feeding. You will not have to wash or sterilize bottles, mix formulas, or get up every few hours to prepare your child's food. The simplicity of nursing can be very attractive to someone who has difficulty moving easily.
· Your milk is especially formulated to your infant's needs. Breastmilk meets all your baby's nutritional needs and offers immunological protection.
· Breastfeeding assists your physical recovery from birth by stimulating the uterus to contract and revert to its pre-pregnancy size.
· Nursing offers psychological benefits for both you and your baby. Hormones released during nursing can help you relax and can help your baby sleep better. The closeness and body contact of nursing helps you establish emotional contact with your child, something you may have felt was missing from your cesarean birth.
After the Birth
Try to nurse your baby as soon as possible after the delivery. The type of anesthetic you receive will influence how long you need to wait.
· Many mothers will receive local anesthesia in the form of an epidural or spinal block. Because spinal headaches can be associated with spinal blocks, epidurals are used more frequently. Either is effective for about a half to one hour after surgery. You can use this time for the first nursing. To prevent a spinal headache if you have a spinal block, you may need to remain lying down for the first nursing.
· If you receive general anesthesia, usually for an emergency cesarean, you may be asleep for several hours following delivery and drowsy upon awakening. The effects of the anesthesia may also make the baby sleepy and placid.
Discuss with your doctor and nurses when you may start breastfeeding. Ask for their assistance in helping you position the baby for the first nursings.
Your hospital stay will usually be longer than that of mothers who delivered vaginally. You can use this time to get to know your baby. Some may encourage you to let the hospital staff feed your baby so you can rest. However, you and your baby need this time to practice nursing. No matter how your baby is born, early and frequent nursing is important. Breastfeeding will get off to a better start if you nurse throughout your hospital stay. The nurses can care for the baby while you nap, but encourage them to bring you the baby often.
Discuss any medications, even over-the-counter drugs with your pediatrician and obstetrician to make sure they are compatible with nursing. Some drugs, while "nursing safe", will tend to make the baby sleepy. To minimize the drug's effects on the baby, ask your doctor about taking the minimum amount of pain medication, as needed, to relieve your discomfort. Your doctor can also tell you if it is better to take your pain medication before or after nursing.
Nursing Positions
Correct positioning is important for any mother and baby. You will need to take special care during your recovery period to avoid incision pain or irritation. Try a variety of positions to see which are most comfortable for you. Many mothers find the clutch hold (“football hold”) or cradle positions more comfortable when pillows cushion your abdomen. Always position the baby so her mouth is level with your nipple. Leaning into the baby can be tiring and stressful on your muscles. If you use the side lying position, support your back with pillows. In the hospital, leaving the side rails up will give you this support in addition to something to hold onto as you turn from side to side. Place a pillow under the knee of your top leg. As you turn from one side to the other, move slowly and be careful not to pull suddenly. A pillow against your abdomen can protect your incision from your baby's feet.
Early Days at Home
During the first weeks home, you will probably be uncomfortable moving around. If at all possible, try to have someone available to assist with housework and cooking. A helpful support person can bring you the baby, help you adjust positions, bring you snacks and beverages, and help with diapers and bathing. To avoid extra walking and carrying in the first weeks, you may find it helpful to let your baby sleep at your bedside or in your bed with you. Keep in touch with your Nursing Mothers counselor for the emotional support and practical suggestions she can offer.
Rest, plenty of fluids and good nutrition are important, not only for breastfeeding, but also to help you recuperate from major surgery. Remind yourself that it will take time before you can do everything you did before the birth - sometimes as long as six months to a year. Your doctor will let you know when and how to ease back into normal activities. Taking care of yourself will help you take care of your baby.
Revised: 9/94, Lisa Davis ; 1/03 Megan Allen
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