Breast-feeding after a cesarean delivery

A cesarean delivery may delay the start of breast-feeding for several hours. You may be sleepy from medication or in pain from the surgery. Try breast-feeding your baby as soon as you are able.

  • Ask whether your baby can be brought into the recovery room to be held and breast-fed.
  • Ask your nurse or other health professionals to help you position the baby in ways that are comfortable for you. The football hold or the side-lying position may be most comfortable after cesarean delivery because the baby does not rest on your abdomen. See illustrations of the side-lying positionClick here to see an illustration. and the football holdClick here to see an illustration..

Author: Kathe Gallagher, MSWLast Updated: May 10, 2007
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine

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