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<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Caesarean births


Can I still breastfeed if I’ve had a caesarean birth?


Having a caesarean birth should not prevent a mother from breastfeeding her baby. While some studies show that there is a greater likelihood a mother will formula feed her baby following caesarean surgery, babies born this way can be just as successful at breastfeeding as babies delivered vaginally.

Mothers who have had a caesarean birth will need extra help though, since they are doing “double-duty”: feeding their baby and healing themselves.
  • Plan to breastfeed early and often.
    • Having skin to skin contact with baby is very important
    • Breastfeed baby in the recovery room before the anaesthesia wears off. Mothers can ask one of the attendants (midwife, nurse or partner) to bring her baby to her and help position baby’s body and mouth for efficient latch-on.
  • Ask their doctor or midwife for pain medication that will not affect the baby. Mothers and their baby will enjoy each other more if they are comfortable.
  • Ask a lactation consultant, midwife or nurse to show them how to breastfeed in special positions which will keep baby’s weight off the incision.

If mothers know in advance they will be having caesarean birth, they can talk to their midwife ahead of time about holding and breastfeeding their baby.
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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2008


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