Epidurals and Breastfeeding

This is meant as helpful, rather than discouraging feedback, because most people don't tell you. Contractions when breastfeeding in the hospital the second time 'round were MUCH more painful than when breastfeeding my first. I don't know if it's related to the epidural working better than with my first delivery, but I was truly shocked by the contractions when I was nursing. Still, by the end of the second day they were gone, so if you can just push through them (no pun intended) the nursing relationship should be great. Good luck going up to 3!

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I had did both (TWICE!)! I did have some latching problems in the beginning, but had nothing to do with the epidural...just babies that both needed extra time to learn how to breastfeed! Good luck and congratulations!

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I had an epidural with my second and went on to successfully breastfeed my daughter for 12.5 months. We only stopped then because a subsequent pregnancy dried up my milk :-(

(as an aside, I had the third in a birth tub in my house and imo, that worked much better for pain control than the epidural!)

If you want your breastfeeding relationship to be successful, here are the things to keep in mind.

1. Nurse often. Every time the n00b opens his mouth to squawk, stick a boob in it. That will bring your milk supply to where it needs to be.

2. No bottles and no binkies, especially in the hospital. No formula! Any ounce of formula you give can negatively affect your supply.

3. No circumcision. Not only is it cruel and medically unnecessary, it can also fubar a new breastfeeding relationship.

As an aside, mama, on the subject of epidurals, I wouldn't hang your hopes on them, so to speak. I know they give some women really great births. I know, for me, and other women, they didn't work that well and actually made them worse. I'm not saying, 'don't use an epidural'. If that's what you want, go for it! I'm just saying, be mentally prepared that it might not offer everything you hope, and have a few other tricks up your sleeve!

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Hi there- I have three kids, 2 born with epidurals and one natural (same thing, did the natural thing once, glad I did, but no way if possible ever again! ha ha) There was no difference in breast feeding between any of the kids. I breastfed all three, the first was the most difficult to work out, but because I had no idea how to guide the baby, and my first took a little while to figure it out. The other two latched on right away and went to town. I am fortunate that I have always had an overabundance of milk so I'm sure that helped as there was little frustration on the baby's side in getting the milk. If you are determined to do it, it will work out. Definately utilize the lactation consultant, they are helpful and understanding. Good luck!

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Hi J.,
Congrats on the soon new addition!
I had no issues breastfeedind post epidural.
I had planned and prepared for a 'natual childbirth' by taking hypnobirthing classes, however my daughter had a different plan for us. I labored for 34 hours w/ out drugs and was able to stay mostly comfortable due to my hypnobirthing training. However as lucky as I was that the midwives let me keep trying to go natural I was forced an epidural and c-section because my daghter was transverse and stuck on my hip sideways. I wanted to go natural and put the baby to my breast immediatly following delivery, but it was a good hour post surgery before my husband could bring her to me. She latched on first thing with no problem, and I was successfull at b-feeding her.
So don't worry, you'll do fine - stay positive and stress free and it will also help your milk.

Best of luck!

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I had no problems with breastfeeding after an epidural. I breastfed her as soon after delivery as I could, which was probably 30-60 minutes after. I waited until the nurse was able to help me, which was great. Those first few days/weeks are a little hard with baby and mom learning to breastfeed, but it is so worth it! It is so good for the baby, and it helped me lose the baby weight plus about 25-30 pounds more so far! I am sure you will do great with the breastfeeding!

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I had an epidural and breast fed my son with no problems. I actually never heard of any issues with breastfeeding post epidural - glad I didn't know:) I was able to breast feed him through his first year of life and just stopped night feeds last month when he turned 14 months. I'm sure it will go great! Good Luck!

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Hi there! I see you've got lots of responses but I'll add mine as it's slightly different experience. ALthough I wanted a natural childbirth, I ended up getting an epidural - but it didn't work! I still felt every contraction so after about 6 hrs I had to get a second which was like a gift from Heaven! What a difference it made. ANyway, despite all that, I ended up with a C-section, and my milk didn't come in for about 5 days but my daughter still nursed just fine. Of course it was rough at the start with no milk, and a rough couple of weeks in the beginning, but completely unrelated to the epidural. My daughter was exclusively breastfed until we introduced solids, and even now at 2 yrs I pump twice a day to give her some breastmilk (she gave up nursing between 9-12 months)

Best of luck!

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I had an epidural and had difficulty breastfeeding but I don't believe it had anything to do with the epidural. It is so worth it anyways why not give it a try and see how it turns out? The epidural for me was a life saver--it took the edge off so that I could concentrate on getting my son out! I was induced and had a long labor so it made a difference. Best of Luck whichever you decide--even with all the issues breastfeeding--I had to do 1/2 formula 1/2 breastfeeding I did it for 11 months until my son self-weaned. Wouldn't have missed it. Nat

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I had a c-section with my daughter and while in recovery they placed my daughter next to me so I could breastfeed. It was funny because I couldn't move but they helpe her latch on(they rolled me to her). My son was a c-section too and they helped me breastfeed him too.
I'ld let the nurse know what you want to do and most are very helpful.
good luck

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I recommend the book "So That's What They're For" It is a super valuable resource for real and candid breastfeeding information. It's written in a chatty way which makes it easy and entertaining to read. She has some advice about epidurals and breastfeeding right away. It's just an all around helper for breastfeeding moms.

I just gave birth to my 3rd child 4 weeks ago- and I found myself checking the book even though I had successfully breastfed both of my older children for just over a year.

I had c-sections with all 3 of my births- they gave me a spinal. I didn't have any problems with breastfeeding at any time. I was able to start within an hour of giving birth and just let the baby show me how. Just relax and have faith that it will all work out.
-S.

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I did not have an epidural with my second, as there was not enough time and she came too quickly, but I have to say, labor goes SO much FASTER. With your third, that baby may fly out so fast you won't even need an epidural!

As for breastfeeding, I had no trouble with either (epidural vs. natural). Just relax, drink loads of water and make sure a lactation consultant checks the baby's latch. Since you have two children, I think the biggest trouble will be finding uninterrupted time for each feed. The baby can be easily distracted by the other kids, as will you. A friend gave me great advice-- as much as you want to limit their TV, turn on a short program to glue the little ones down and give you time to concentrate on the baby feeding. (My son was 2 when m daughter was born and I was always jumping up to grab something). Once you both get the hang of it, it will be easy!

Good luck!!

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Plenty of women have no breastfeeding problems as a result of epidural! I would suggest, since you have had issues in the past but want to overcome them to breastfeed your son, that you attend a couple La Leche League meetings now while you are pregnant. I started going during my pregnancy and it was so helpful! And if you need support once you get home from the hospital your local LLL leaders can be very helpful with whatever issues may come up. LLL welcomes all women who want to breastfeed regardless of how long they intend to do so. Good luck with your birth!

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I thought the epidural was great, and I don't see why you shouldn't do it if you want to. I never had any problems nursing right away, and I don't know anyone who had trouble related to the use of an epidural. I would echo the advice to get help from the nurses, to start immediately, and to use a lactation consultant if you want. Many local La Leche Leagues are helpful as well. Go for it!

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I had an epidural with my delivery (only 1) and breastfed w/o issue for 13+mos. My milk came in on about day 3 which I guess is pretty typical, but it also came in like CRAZY! I had to get a pump because my breasts got so hard he couldn't nurse. Right from the beginning I could produce ~4oz a side every 3 hrs. SO... yeah I make milk like a cow.
So I have no idea how the epidural will effect you, I just wanted to let you know that it doesn't necessarily interfere. As to the BF, I would talk to a lactation consultant. The hospital can help you find one. I had a terrific woman who came to my home in the first week because we had difficulty with latching. She was a world of help and gave me the confidence to keep at it and not just pump and bottle feed.
FYI - I also had no other side effect from the epidural and NO PAIN!

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I had three children. Only had an epidural with the third. All three were breast fed. I didn't notice any difference whatsoever.

Disclaimer: Breast feeding was not a challenge for me. Ever. In fact, my biggest problem was too much milk.

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I highly recommend mother's milk tea. I didn't have an epidural w/ either child so I have no advice there but I had nice fast labors each time. I really enjoyed nursing my second much more then my first. My biggest suggestion is really watch your babies cues because its much easier to properly latch on a happy baby then one that is already crying. My youngest would try to suck on everything while my oldest would turn his head toward the side and open his mouth whether someone was holding him or his was in his bassinet. My milk came in while I was still in the hospital with my second while it was about 5 days w/ my first. Just nurse nurse nurse nurse. Its uncomfortable when milk first comes in but after that passes is its just so easy you just have to get over that first week. Don't give up.

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Hi J.,
I had my first child with epidural. And in 5 weeks consiedering to have my second child the same way. After the delievery I havd said I could do it again at any minute. I loved my delievery. I haven't had any problems with breastfeeding. Get an epidural and have a nice time and a healthy baby.

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I had epidurals with both of my boys (3 years apart) and while breastfeeding was difficult with my first we figured it out eventually. With my second (he's 3 months now) it was much easier. I didn't have any issue with an epidural and breastfeeding. For me the reason it was hard with the first one was just because we didn't know what we were doing. With the second I had more experience and so it was easier for both of us. My best advice on breastfeeding is that it is hard work and for me the thing that worked best was to ask every single nurse that came into my room if she could help me or just look to make sure he was latched on. With both of my boys the football hold worked best when we were still figuring things out. Once they had the hang of it we were able to do a normal cradle hold. If you can, stick with it, it's great for both of you.

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Hi J.,
My cousin is a labor and delivery nurse (and former perinatal director) and has delivered and taught breastfeeding to over a thousand new moms in her career. She has never had a problem due to an epidural teaching breastfeeding. Nubain, yes, as it is a narcotic and can affect make the baby sleepy. She has told me she has never in her career had any trouble with the epidural and nursing as the meds do not affect the baby. She also had an epidural with delivery and nursed her twins immediately. I had no trouble at all also. She's discussed it over the years with licensed anesthesiologists and experienced it front hand delivering babies day in and out and taking care of moms at a big hospital.

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Hi J.:

I had an epidural and breastfed with my son...no problem! Good luck and congrats...you are on the home stretch!

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My feeling is that breastfeeding is something that goes on for months or years and an epidural is for a few hours. They don't affect each other. I just had a baby with an epidural and I attempted to nurse him within 30 min of his birth. I don't really remember that session, but he has never had formula. He is 8 weeks and has always been a champion nurser. Full term babies are born with enough fat to get them through getting very little breastmilk for the first 24-48 hours, that's why they lose weight (they're expected to lose weight).

I had twins first. C-section, preemies. There were complications. I wasn't even given a pump to try for at least 24 hours after they were born. They were too little to nurse for weeks (literally, they had to have food with a nose tube.) Eventually they were both nursing and they were exclusively fed breastmilk after the first 3-4 days, and once large enough, they both nursed, until they started solid food and were eventually weaned.

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Please don't worry! I did exactly the same with my three, and I had no problem breastfeeding my third after the epidural. Of course, he was 2 weeks overdue, 9lbs 10 oz, and they had to induce me... Good luck! S.

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Hi J.,

I have two girls, had epidurals with both, and breastfed both exclusively. It never occurred to me not to have an epidural because of my desire to breastfeed. Good luck!

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I think breastfeeding is difficult especially the first week whether you get an epidural or not. I think many moms who have a c-section have an even tougher time because of the longer recovery, but I don't think it is more difficult to breastfeed your baby if you get an epidural... I don't think there is anyone out there that can say they honestly enjoyed the first week of breastfeeding or found it easy whether or not they had an epidural. I had an epidural and LOVED that I had an epidural. I don't think I could have done it without the epidural. I had a lactation consultant come in that day to show me how to help the baby latch on, which takes a couple of weeks of training baby. I had to keep pulling my baby's bottom lip out. It felt awful. They do not know how to do it at first so you have to keep trying. There is no milk for a few days so it is like they are just knawing on your nipples for the first few days. Breastfeeding is a lot of work and painful as can be at first but it gets so much easier. If you can get over the first two to three painful weeks then you're probably are all set. I had my son on Friday and my milk didn't come in until Monday or Tuesday. You can use icepacks on your breasts and that helps the milk to come down. The key to your milk coming in is consistancy. Breastfeed every few hours and as needed. The 2nd night in the hospital we did supplement with formula, I needed the rest, so the nurses were happy to keep the baby for 6 hours. So, don't be afraid to do the same. Plus, don't be afraid to take pain medication and be sure to drink lots of water that first week, and believe me, it does get better and easier. If you have any questions, please let me know.

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I had epidurals with both (thankfully!) and breastfed both successfully for a year. The first was 3 weeks early and less than 6 pounds and needed to grow before she could suckle hard enough on my breast so I had to pump and feed her with a Haberman feeder (special bottle that resembles true nipple) for 2 weeks. The lactation consultant at Emerson Hospital helped and even visited me at home later to help teach us how to latch on. The second was easy and latched on right after birth. One word of caution: there is a window of opportunity that is open for several days after birth (not sure how long, lactation consultant would know) if you do not start pumping or suckling during this time your milk might not come in as strongly. Since I pumped for the first 2 weeks I had a HUGE supply the whole time. A friend had problems with latching on and did not pump, just kept trying with baby who did not eat much, and her milk supply was too small and required supplemental formula for the whole year she nursed. It is worth getting to know your hospital's lactation consultant to ask these questions before the birth. Good luck.

Hi J.
I had an epidural with my son and started nursing 15 min after he was born. There was no issues. I asked the nurse if I could nurse him. My 1st had an infecton so I didnt get to nurse her right away and I took 6 weeks to get her to nurse right. So with my 2nd I wanted to nurse right away and it was fine.
K.

Hi J.,

I had epidurals w/ both my boys & breastfed both of them w/o any problems. With my second, my milk came in much faster & it was much easier to breastfeed the second time around. Good luck!!

Hi J.,

I had epidurals with both of my boys because I had c-sections. I was able to breastfeed both of them successfully with no problems. I don't think the epidural itself will really effect anything in terms of breastfeeding. I guess if you are still kind of numb you could just ask a nurse to help you with positioning to get the baby to latch on and that kind of thing.

Good luck,
L.

I also never had any problems with breastfeeding correlated to epidurals - in fact I've never heard of that. I'm on #2 right now, and have been able to feed longer this time around - milk came in faster, and I had a wonderful lactation consultant that I leaned on even if I thought I could do it on my own and was doing fine, I took advantage of her offer of services. She was with the hospital - but I know there are lots out there. ALSO, the BEST THING IN THE WORLD was "miracle cream" that was a special nipple prescription that helped them heal almost instantly (seriously felt better after the first application - and totally better in a few days). Only a few pharmacies make it, and the lactation consultant asked my OBGYN if she could call it in under her license because of the bruising, cracking and damage the baby caused in the first couple days of nursing. Thank god for that, cause the quick healing made me feel more willing to continue - and she's 4.5 months now and gets ALL her nutrition solely through breastfeeding and is 15 pounds already. Good luck!

"Positive feedback only" will only give you one side of the story... I wish you luck. I had an epidural and breastfed. I wouldn't say I had the best experience (it wasn't bad but it was far from perfect)

Congratulations on your third baby! I've had 2 boys with the help of lovely medicine (both were quick labors though so I had a spinal instead of epidural). Both were also breastfed 6-7 months. My advice for breastfeeding is to be determined and expect a slow start and honestly a bit (or quite a bit in my case) of discomfort or pain in the early days and weeks. That does not mean the baby isn't latching properly or that you can't do it. It just takes time for both of you to get used to it. I found the nurse at the hospital did not encourage me much because I had already developed a "bruise" which she seemed pretty judgemental about. I was able to get a lactation consultant to help me later at the hospital - wish I asked right away. Once I got home I just stuck with it, and I called the local breastfeeding expert whose name was on a list I got from the hospital a few times for tips. Not leche league, but a nursing consultant and she was wonderful, encouraging, and helpful. After that initial learning stage nursing became simple and a great experience for all of us! You can do it!

My suggestion would be to take a HypnoBirthing class you can have the best of both worlds an unmedicated birth, a relaxed birthing experience and no side effects for you or your baby.

visit www.hypnobirthing.com as well as my website www.pregnancybirthbeyond.net

It is possible