What to Expect After a Caesarean.
Can I breastfeed after a caesarean?9,
10
Two great resources, used to compile the information
contained in this section of the booklet, are:
Australian Breastfeeding Association Website - http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/index.html
La Leche League International Website - http://www.lalecheleague.org/
Of course you can, if you want to. Breastmilk is the
best food for your baby, fulfilling all his/her nutritional needs
in an easily digestible form. The best way to make sure your baby
and you get off to a good start is to:
If you have problems breastfeeding, then you need to seek help
straight away, otherwise it might all just seem too difficult when
it becomes yet another challenge you are facing while recovering
from your surgery. If the hospital employs a lactation consultant,
then this would be the person to contact for advice, remembering
that she may not be available on the weekends -> so don't hesitate
if you need her help during the week and the weekend is approaching!
Remember most Mothers can breastfeed, with the right support, and
it may be beneficial to contact a lactation consultant during pregnancy
about doing a short course, which will inform you of everything
you need to know to get a positive start once your baby arrives
(i.e., increase confidence and learn breastfeeding techniques).
It can be enormously rewarding, to both Mother and Child, to establish
breastfeeding. The knowledge that your body is able to totally care
for all your baby's nutritional needs during the first 6 months
(or more) of his/her life is wonderful. This knowledge is especially
valuable when you may feel that your body had not been able to birth
your baby naturally (this time). The naturalness, bonding and feelings
of nurturing that are gained from being able to fully breastfeed
your baby cannot be over-emphasized.
The drugs you received during your surgery, and for pain relief
afterwards, may affect your letdown reflex, or even your milk supply.
So it's worthwhile questioning this if you are experiencing difficulties.
These drugs may also pass into your milk supply, and therefore to
your baby. If you are concerned then ask your midwife, doctor or
the pharmacist for information about the properties of the drugs
you are receiving, or have received.
For advice on breast-feeding concerns, after leaving hospital or
while still at hospital, you could contact the below organizations:
If you choose to bottle-feed your baby, or find that breast-feeding
is not possible for some reason, then the midwife can assist you
in finding comfortable positions in which to do this. She will also
explain sterilisation techniques and formula mixing, etc.
Even bottle-fed babies love skin-to-skin contact. So don't deny
yourself, or your baby, the joy of this sensory experience.
To find out how to obtain a free copy, or how you
can organise to distribute the booklets, please click
here.
