Breast Feeding after a Caesarean section

You could breastfeed your baby immediately after the surgery depending on how you feel and how your baby is doing. However, some women who had a general anaesthetic for the operation may feel too groggy to do so immediately. If after 12 hours you are still not able to do so, you could ask help from the midwives. Using a pump to express your premilk (colostrums) could be helpful to get lactation started.

The medication used in general anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia will not cross your breast milk. So, you do not need to worry about harming your baby if you breast feed after a Caesarean section.

Some women find it uncomfortable to breastfeed after an operation. The midwives are most willing to help if you find it difficult to breastfeed. Certain techniques such as placing a pillow on your lap under the baby or lying on your side to nurse can be helpful to ease the process of breastfeeding.

For further information on breastfeeding, please refer to our article on Why Breast Feed?

In a baby who is born naturally (vaginal birth), the baby come in contact with the good bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the mother. The baby gets colonized by those good bacteria which will in turn colonized the newborn baby’s gut and trigger the immune system. This will help to strengthen the baby’s immunity and protects them against infections.

Compared to a baby who is born naturally, a baby who is born via Caesarean section experiences delay in acquiring good bacteria from the mother because they miss out on this process. Recent studies have shown that Caesarean section deliveries may be associated with increased risk of asthma, allergies and gastrointestinal infections.

Colostrums or the foremilk is rich with antibodies, which can help to protect the baby against infection and strengthened their immunity. Therefore, breastfeeding in a baby who is born via Caesarean section has extra benefits. In addition, breastfeeding require the baby to be in contact with the mother’s skin, which will enhance the transfer of good bacteria to the baby. Breast milk is also rich in good bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, which is helpful in protecting the baby against infections.

Although breast feeding is the BEST for your baby, we appreciate the fact that a small number of mothers could not breast feed or are found not suitable to breast feed due to medical reasons. Please refer to our article on Infant Formula if you want to know the alternatives to breast feeding. An infant formula fortified with Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria may be helpful to enhance the transfer of good bacteria to these babies.