C-section Delivery and breastfeeding....**UPDATE**

It sounds like all these other Mamas have covered the basics but I have to suggest one other thing...take some flip flops for the shower! The floor is gross and with all the staph infections these days, you do not want to walk around the bathroom floor unprotected.

Hi M.,
I've had 2 c-sections at 2 different hospitals and both my girls were brought to me breastfeed as soon as I came out of recovery. With my first she had trouble latching on so the hospital gave her some sugar water the first night but that was it.

As far as stuff to bring to the hospital, I brought a pajama set that was pants and botton down top. It made it easy to breastfeed and my bottom was hanging out of the back of a hospital gown. Also a robe and slippers.

I just had my second c-section last week for my second daughter. Once they deliver the baby the dad will get to see him/her, take photos in the er, etc. Depending on the hospital the dad will then go with the baby to the nursery for the baby's check-up, etc while the doctor completes your surgery. Once you are completed you are moved to a recovery room and this is usually where you will get to hold your baby and try to breastfeed if you feel up to it. A lactation nurse will also be available to help. Everyone will constantly ask you if you are breastfeeding or bottlefeeding so there shouldn't be any problems if you tell them your wishes - the two hospitals I delivered at were both very supportive with the breastfeeding, but also if you needed a bottle feed it is available too.
You will wear the horrid hospital gown for the first 24 hours, just because you will be hooked up to IV and monitors, and will be in too much pain to move. On the second day you will be encouraged to get up and walk to the bathroom once they take the cathatur out. Get up and move even though you won't feel like it - it definitely helps with your recovery. Once you can take a shower then you can change into your clothes. Make sure your clothes are breastfeeding-friendly - I had pj dresses with buttons down the front.
Make sure you take your camera, phone numbers for people to call, makeup (you cannot wear any during your surgery) if you need it. A cute outfit for the baby and a matching baby blanket to have the baby's photo taken in. Baby clothes - the hospital gowns are usually not too attractive.
You won't feel like doing too much else other than sleep and feeding the baby.
Hope this helps and best of luck - congrats on the birth of your baby!

don't forget your memory book!

I had my son by c-section and am still breastfeeding at 12 mths old. (just started weaning now!) I'm pretty sure I breastfed the baby once I was put in a room...seems like within an hour or so after he was plucked from my tummy. If you plan to breastfeed, let your Dr and nurses know, and they will make sure it happens. My son had a little trouble figuring out a good latch so we did supplement with formula in a bottle temporarily while still learning to latch on correctly for about 2 wks. With each feeding, we nursed first, then supplement with bottle 2nd...hubby gave bottle and loved it! Then, baby figured it all out and started gaining weight so his pedi told me to stop supplementing.

Please don't worry about them giving your baby a bottle in hospital! You want your baby to be nourished, and if your body isn't ready, a bottle will suffice temporarily until your milks comes in. For us, breastfeeding was a brand new experience, and it didn't work out as fast as I thought it should. This experience was very frustrating for me, and I was very tired. The most important thing for me was to have one on one time with the lactation consultant that will stop by to check on you. Make sure you see that person! Very important b'c for us, she was the only one who really knew how to teach latching on and gave great coaching tips for breastfeeding moms.

Bathing: You'll need help with this initially. My hubby helped me alot b'c it was painful to move around, lift legs to get in tub, etc. Don't forget Wonderful Smelling soap and shampoo to make you feel better! Bring house shoes for walking the halls too. Don't take your expensive nightgown b'c your incision could be messy at times, and you don't want to stain something nice and ruin it. Don't forget a nursing bra, nursing pads and lanolin too.

I had two c-sections - one planned, one unplanned. The unplanned was my first baby. She was a premie, so she went to the NICU while I went to recovery. She was only there a few hours, so I was able to breastfeed as soon as I was back in my regular room. I delivered both children at Baylor Grapevine, and they were VERY pro-breastfeeding. I had no desire to bottle feed, but because she was a premie and had suck/swallow issues, which brought on weight loss issues, I had to pump and bottle feed. I had her on Monday evening, and my milk came in Friday. We had to give her formula by Wednesday because she had lost so much weight. Once my milk came in, though, I never gave her formula again. It took awhile to get breastfeeding down, but that was due to her prematurity issues, not because of a lack of milk.

My second daughter was totally different. It was a planned c-section, and she stayed put full-term. I had her on a Tuesday, and my milk was in Thursday (both my pediatrician and OB said milk comes in faster the second time). She didn't have to go to the NICU, so I was able to breastfeed her as soon as we got to recovery, within probably 25 minutes of her delivery. She latched on right away and had no issues.

M.,
Hello! I am actually in the hosptial as I type....I had a c-section yesterday at 1:56pm. 2nd one in 18 months! I fed my baby while I was in recovery (about an hour after the surgery). I was healthy and so was he!! W/my daughter it was a little different though! She was ill when she was born and they took her to the NICU so they had given her a few bottles by the time she got back to me....I ended up pumping my milk for a while and she fed from a bottle! Just make sure you tell them you want to breast feed! It's not too difficult, but a little uncomfortable due to the recovery....I have been able to do about 10 feedings w/my baby since yesterday!! Good luck!!

I have had 2 c-sections and breastfeed with both. There were no complications with the first c-section and 30 minutes after he was born he given to me to nurse (I have a picture with the time-stamp on it showing exactly 30 mintues later). The second baby had to be monitored in the special care nursery for 5 hours after birth before I was able to see her. I was concerned that they would give her a bottle but they said that wasn't an issue at all and she latched on no problem when I did get to hold her. As far as necessities at the hospital...I brought a 2 piece pajama set to walk around the hospital in. I always felt exposed even in my own gown the first time around so pants and a button-up long sleeve night shirt worked best for me. Mine was red from Victoria's Secret and the nurses all joked about wearing VS in the hospital.

Hello M.,

I myself had a planned C-section and breastfed. If I remember correctly they brought her to me the same day to try to breastfeed. A lactation specialist came in to help and that was wonderful!!! It didn't help that my daughter didn't want to latch on so all I can say is be patient and hang in there. I remember wanting just to give up and let her have a bottle but I somehow stayed strong and things worked out great! I truly believe that our relationship is soooo close and strong because of the breastfeeding.

I had my daughter at Medical Center of Arlington and they were awesome! I can't think of anything that you need to take. Oh -- don't forget clothes & accessories for your newborn for picture day!

There is so much advice and would like to type more but my daughter wants me to go play with her. You are welcome to call me if you'd like! ###-###-####.

Good Luck to you and your Family!!
L.

I don't know where you are delivering, but at Baylor Grapevine, we put the baby to breast in recovery (so in the first hour after birth) - research indicates that this early initiation of breastfeeding is most beneficial to the baby.

As a mom/baby nurse - we NEVER give bottles without parental consent. There are times that we may encourage formula supplementation (due to excess weight loss, low blood sugar, etc.) - and doctors will sometimes order supplementation for post nursing if there is a medically necessary reason - as i just stated.

The number one most important thing is to put the baby to breast every 2-3 hours and to make sure the baby has a proper latch (the nurses and lactation consultant will help with this!)

Good luck

Hi M.,

I've had 2 c-sections and each time I was able to feed the baby as soon as I was brought to the recovery room approx 30-40 minutes after the babies were born.
You need to breastfeed within the first 2 hours of delivery or it will be much harder to get the baby to latch on. I read some info online once that gave me more info on that subject but every baby I breastfed right after delivery were great breastfeeders. YES it can be painful in the beginning but use lots of lanolin and hang in there. It's truly worth the short term pain we endure to give our babies what's best! :)

No one ever gave me problems about trying to give my baby a bottle....they will not do that if you only want to breastfeed. One thing that I found helpful after delivery was at night when the nurse asks if you want the baby in the nursery, I always kept my babies with me since I was breastfeeding. It was so much easier to get them to latch on as soon as I know they're waking up to eat instead of waiting on the nurse to bring them in when they think they're hungry. The baby was always more fussy coming in from the nursery and took longer to latch on but when I kept them with me at night, it was much easier and they would sleep better too with me.

I would bring a pair of flip flops to wear when you have to get up and walk the hospital floor. I didn't like wearing socks on the hospital floor and then get back into my bed...to many hospital germs for me so bring an extra pair of shoes easy to slip on and off.
I would only bring one or two pairs of clothes. I always stayed in the gowns until the day of leaving....even though they're ugly : ) they're much more comfortable then having to pull pants up and down and with an incision and bleeding you'll want whats easiest to get on and off.

You really don't need much besides the basics. Good luck to you and congratulations on your new blessing!

Hey! Good Luck to you!

5 years ago, I had my son via c-section. We gave him the sugar water while I was in recovery but it wasn't until I got to a real room that I tried breast feeding. I probably could have in recovery but I never thought about (was a little loopy from the happy meds).

The nurses are really good about not giving the baby a bottle if you tell them specifically not to. I think you have to say, "NO BOTTLES PLEASE," but if you do that then you should be fine. In fact, you might ask once you get to MotherCare if they can put it in your chart and the baby's. I know I told them I was breastfeeding but not specifically that I didn't want him to take a bottle and I'm 99.99% sure my son got a bottle when he was in the nursey at one point.

Again good luck to you and your growing family!

Hi there,

I've had both of my babies via c-section and breastfed both right after surgery. They did wonderful and I didn't have any problems. I suppose it may depend on the hospital you go to but I believe most will respect your wishes on that subject. I really loved having my boppy pillow with me for breastfeeding. It kept the baby from pushing against the sore part of my abdomen and allowed me to relax and enjoy my first few days of feeding.

Good luck to you!

After both of my C-sections (emergency and then planned), I was able to nurse while in the recovery room. I was fortunate enough to have 2 kiddos that latched on with no problems at all. The nursing staff usually asks you beforehand if you'd like to breastfeed only or offer bottles of formula or sugar water when needed. Both of mine were never given a bottle by the nurses, so I think they are usually pretty honest and abide by the mother's preference....unless there is a medical reason for needing a bottle---like low blood sugar,etc. I do have to say, that breastfeeding was one of the hardest parts about becoming a mother, but I've enjoyed the years of sticking with it and cuddling my little ones while they nursed. Be sure to take advantage of the Lactation Consultants in the hospital and ask for ALL the help you can get.

Good luck to you and feel free to email with any other concerns you might have.

Thick socks! Lots of them! And remember that you'll be in the hospital for a few days so make sure that you bring some baby magazines with you as well as a journal so you can keep notes and such.
I got to breastfeed my daughter 4 hours after surgery, and we had no problems. It was only 4 hours later b/c they had to knock me out for surgery.
My c-sec. was almost 8 years ago, so that's about all I can really think of to tell you besides, GOOD Luck! And a big congrats to you and your husband! I hope your surgery goes well and you recover super-fast!
Oh, and one more thing, a nursing bra. Make sure you bring one.

All 3 my girls were born via c-section. My girls all had to be bottled fed after they were born because they all had low blood sugar. They need to be feed quickly and I couldn't do it because the nurses and doctor wanted to make sure all of the drugs were out of my system. I did get to nurse them later on that night or day (depending what time they were born) and they had no problem latching. My 1st child was the hardest because I didn't have a clue what I was doing. lol
I truly suggests to wear their gown for the surgery because otherwise you might have a ruined gown.
Congrats!

M.,
I have had 2 c-sections at Harris Methodist Southwest i Fort Worth. You need to be certain that you tell them NOT to give a bottle and then you need to be sure that your husband knows. I recommend that you tell them that you want the baby to room in also. When they send them to the nursery and there is a shift change sometimes they don't wake you in the middle of the night to feed and will give a bottle. I nursed as soon as I could with both of mine, but the first had some issues latching on and they wanted to give him sugar water, but I was adamant that I was going to nurse. Have them call a lactation consultant if you have issues. I have had several friends who delivered at other hospitals that had MAJOR issues with the nurses giving bottles to their new babies while trying to breastfeed - Baylor Southwest is bad about it! Make sure you take a comfy pillow, camera, list of people for hubby to call, the overnight maxi pads and socks that are comfy but you don't care if they get nasty (I didn't realize how awful a mess it makes when you stand up after the c-section for the first time!) Take comfy slippers and lots of change so that hubby can get snacks! Oh, and something that you should buy in advance before you get home - stool softners. Good luck - my c-sections were very easy and I recovered very quickly from both!

I nursed my first baby (Wichita Falls) in the recovery room while waiting for the epidural to wear off. With the second baby (Denton), I had general anesthesia (complications from the epidural the first time), but I nursed him as soon as I woke up. I checked all of the meds they were planning to use against the neonatologist's list at Kellymom.com - nothing they used required abstaining from breastfeeding for any length of time.

The first baby, I had a problem with the nurses giving him bottles. The second, I didn't. Make sure that your ob, your pedi, and your husband are on the same page with you - if the baby does have to have supplementary feedings, make sure everyone understands SYRINGE - and don't stress. My oldest much preferred the boob even after two or three bottles of sugar water that almost got a nurse attacked with an IV poll.

I breastfed within an hour of all 3 c-sections at 2 different hospitals. Also, I told the nurses no pacifiers along with no bottles and they stuck a little note on the bassinet for all the nurses to see. With my first, I asked to keep my daughter with me at night, but it was a bad idea. Every time she moved I looked to see if she was ok. I did not sleep at all the first day and night and she was born at 8am. With my other 2 children, I asked for them to keep the babies in the nursery at night and to bring them to me when they woke up or every 3 hours; whichever came first. That was much better situation for me since I knew someone was watching them while I slept. They brought them to me throughout the night and it worked great.
With the gowns, I would use the hospital gowns. They have snaps which are great for breastfeeding and when you want to walk the halls, put one gown on with the opening in the back and put a second gown on with the opening in the front. It covers everything.
Ask for lots of pillows to prop yourself up and to prop up the baby when you are feeding. Remember to not bend forward to reach the baby, you need to sit relaxed and use pillows to get the baby high enough to nurse. In the beginning, I tried to hold the baby and it was so tiring for my arms, then I learned about using the pillows.
Good luck.

M.,

I had a c-section and they tried to get me to breastfeed about four hours after. Even though my colostrum and some milk had come in, for some reason my milk never fully came in...likely because of the c-section vs normal delivery (some women just have that issue, some don't). However, the biggest thing I can tell you is, if for some reason you aren't able to breastfeed, don't beat yourself up. You are still an adequate parent. I know I dealt with those feelings during that time too. But having to do formula, while not ideal, is not bad for your child. And it is a lot better than the kid not getting adequate nutrition during that critical time. Good Luck!

Both of mine were C-section babies. I didn't get to feed either of them until a few hours later, which worried me. However they did not get bottles and both were excellent breastfeeders. Although it is ideal to feed ASAP, don't worry if you cannot. It does not have to have a negative effect on their feeding.

Congrats on the soon to be new arrival! Now on to your questions....I think it will all depend on the hospital, nurses, and how demanding (or not) you are. I had my twins via c-section at Lewisville Medical Center and they didn't bring the babies (both were healthy, no trips to nicu) to me until about 4 hours after the birth. I was also a little out of it afterwards, so I didn't really realize how long it had been. But on another note, a friend just had her little one about a month ago at the same hospital and had a c-section as well and he was back in the recovery room when she got back there...so that's why I think it may depend on who and how many people are working that day, and also hospital rules/policies. We didn't have any problems with anyone trying to give the boys bottles or anything while in nursery care. I don't think they will unless told to do so, but you may want to mention it to the nursery nurse. Other than the delay in getting the babies, everything in the hospital went great. All of the nurses, doctors and staff were so nice and helpful....hopefully you get the same.

As far as what to bring with you to the hospital...you may want to bring a comfortable nursing bra. I didn't think I would want to wear one while in the hospital, but it felt nice to sort of get dressed once allowed out of bed and to take a shower. I totally understand not liking hospital gowns, but just know that things will be pretty messy after surgery. The girdle thing they put on you in the hospital is wonderful. My nurse got me 2 and recommended to keep them. I did and used them for quite a while. You might want to bring slippers and a robe to make you a little more comfortable. One thing we came up with after our stay was a hand towel or your normal paper towels. As many times as we washed our hands we really tore up our hands using the rough paper towels provided by the hospital. You also would want to bring an outfit for your little one for pictures. Also, maybe magazines or a book...I got in some baby reading in the hospital.

Sorry this is so long! That's all I can think of right now. Good luck! Hope all goes wonderful!