How can I prepare to breastfeed after a c-section?
- Katie Small
- Jul 3
- 5 min read
If you’re planning a caesearean birth, or the possibility is on your mind, you might be wondering how it could impact your breastfeeding journey - especially if breastfeeding is something that’s important to you.
Firstly, I want to reassure you that with the right preparation and support, you can absolutely breastfeed successfully after a C-section ❤️
How does a C-section affect breastfeeding?
It’s true that if you have a caesarean then there might be a few additional considerations for breastfeeding:
⭐️Milk supply and when your milk ‘comes in’ (which is a term I don’t love, because colostrum, the early milk which most people produce from around week 16 of pregnancy, IS milk - just in a very concentrated form) can sometimes be impacted by a caesarean. In some cases, the transition from colostrum to ‘mature milk’ may take a little bit longer because some of the hormones that help trigger milk production might be slightly slower to catch up after surgery.
⭐️Recovering from a c-section can make some breastfeeding positions less comfortable. You might also need some support with moving and positioning your baby while your scar heals.
BUT, that doesn't mean there has to be a long-term impact on your breastfeeding journey.
5 ways you can prepare for successful breastfeeding after a c-section:
Get familiar with hand expressing
If your baby struggles to latch initially, hand expression can help send messages to your body to start establishing your milk supply. It can also help you get colostrum to give to your baby while they’re gaining strength and learning to latch.
Some people like to practice hand expressing during pregnancy - not necessarily to harvest colostrum (although this can be useful, especially if the chances of a caesarean birth are high) but predominantly to help you get comfortable with the technique in a less-pressured environment. If you do harvest colostrum in pregnancy and then go on to give it to your baby, it can be important to make sure that you try to hand express to ‘replace’ this colostrum, or your body might not realise it needs to make more milk.
If you want a simple guide to hand expression, check out this video
Have a feeding plan ready
Keeping your baby fed regularly is important to ensure they have the strength and energy to breastfeed effectively. While it often won’t matter if your baby doesn’t feed immediately (unless you have gestational diabetes, which may lead to a recommendation to give your baby colostrum or milk very early), babies who aren’t fed fairly early on, and regularly, can start to conserve energy by sleeping more, which can make feeding even more tricky.
There are several ways you can feed your baby colostrum in those early days:
Via syringe
Cup feeding
Spoon feeding
Finger feeding
Using a ‘supplementary nursing system’
All these options have pros and cons, so have a look and decide what might be your preferred feeding method if you need it.
If you use bottles, it can be helpful to consider looking into 'paced feeding' techniques to help you feed your baby in a way that replicates breastfeeding as closely as possible, and which can help reduce the chances of bottle preference developing.
Lots of skin-to-skin
Skin-to-skin contact can help your body produce more milk, and encourage your baby to tap into their instincts and attempt latching. Lying at a 45 degree angle with your baby slightly below your nipple (the ‘laid-back position) can encourage them to smell milk, root around, and possibly latch all by themselves.
Consider requesting that your baby be placed on your chest immediately after their birth so this amazing bonding and feeding preparation can start straight away. Spending as much time as possible doing skin-to skin, even when you get home, can make a huge difference.
Look into some c-section friendly breastfeeding positions
Some breastfeeding positions can be more comfortable than others while you're healing from a cesarean. These positions can often be helpful after a c-section:
Rugby hold (football hold): This can help to keep your baby away from your scar
Side-lying position: This position can allow you to rest while you’re feeding
Laid-back position: Like I mentioned earlier this position can be great for helping your baby to tune into their instincts, and can take pressure off your abdomen.
Get support lined up in advance
Breastfeeding can be challenging regardless of how your baby is born, so having someone to call on before you even start to feel anxious or overwhelmed can make a huge difference, both practically AND, importantly, with how you’re feeling.
This might include:
A lactation consultant
A postnatal doula with breastfeeding expertise
Experienced friends or family members
Your healthcare provider - especially if your hospital has a specialist infant feeding team, or peer supporters helping on the postnatal ward.
Common questions about breastfeeding after a C-section
How soon can I breastfeed after a ceasarean?
You can usually start breastfeeding as soon as you feel able to after your surgery - often within the first hour if you and your baby are both doing well. Many hospitals now support immediate skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation after cesarean births - but it’s useful to talk to your medical team on the day and make sure they know that breastfeeding is important to you, and that your birth partner knows to advocate for this too.
If you're feeling groggy from anaesthesia or if your baby needs extra care, don't worry. Starting a few hours later is unlikely to harm your breastfeeding journey, especially if you use the hand expression techniques mentioned above to protect your supply, and if you keep baby fed to help to conserve their energy.
Can I pick up my baby to feed after a C-Section?
In the early days after surgery, lifting your baby repeatedly can be challenging and potentially uncomfortable. Some things that can help are:
Getting help when possible: Have your partner, family member, a doula, or hospital staff pass your baby to you for feeds, especially in the first few days.
Use supportive positioning: Choose feeding positions that don't require you to lift baby high (like the rugby hold or side-lying position).
Listen to your body: If lifting your baby feels painful, ask for help. Most people can gradually return to normal lifting within a few weeks, but recovery varies.
Breastfeeding isn’t always easy - but you're not alone ❤️
Having a C-section doesn't mean you can't have the breastfeeding journey you're hoping for. With proper preparation, the right support, and realistic expectations, you can set yourself up for success.
Remember, every feeding journey is unique, and what matters most is that you feel SUPPORTED, and confident in your choices.
If you’d like to dive deeper into how you can prepare for any early breastfeeding struggles, however your baby is born, and feel prepared not powerless in the early days, I’ve created a free masterclass for you’’My baby hasn’t breastfed yet - now what?’.
And if you’d like to know more about how I can support you in the early days, have a look at my breastfeeding support packages - my unwavering support and guidance is there for you whenever you need it.
Katie x
Katie Small | Rewrite your Postpartum
Doula and breastfeeding support in Dorset, Hampshire and online
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