Breastfeeding After a C-Section: Gentle Tips for a Confident Start

Recovering from a C-section while learning to breastfeed can feel like a lot. Your body is healing, and at the same time your baby needs you for comfort and nourishment. The good news is that with the right support and a few simple strategies, breastfeeding after a C-section can work well for you and your baby.

1. Skin-to-Skin First

After a C-section, skin-to-skin can often start right in the operating theatre (OT), depending on the hospital setup and your condition. If that’s not possible, it’s usually the first thing you can do once you’re back in your maternity room and reunited with your baby after recovery.

Skin-to-skin helps your baby stay calm and warm, regulates their heartbeat, and activates their natural feeding reflexes. If you’re not able to do it immediately, your partner can hold the baby close until you’re ready.

2. Positions That Feel Comfortable

After a C-section, you’ll want to avoid putting pressure on your incision. Some positions that usually help:

• Football hold – baby tucked under your arm with cushions for support.

• Side-lying – lying on your side with baby facing you, which also gives you a chance to rest.

Placing a small pillow or folded blanket over your scar can make you feel more protected.

3. Keep Pain Under Control

It’s much easier to feed when your pain is managed. Take your prescribed medications as directed (most are safe with breastfeeding). Some mums also find that using a support belt or a cushion around the belly helps when moving or adjusting positions.

4. Support Your Milk Supply

Milk can sometimes but definitely not always, take a little longer to come in after a C-section. To help things along:

• Offer the breast often—about every 3 hours from the start of a feed.

• Try expressing or hand-expressing if baby is very sleepy in the early days.

• Every bit of colostrum is valuable, so don’t worry about quantity at first.
  

5. Get the Support You Need

Breastfeeding after a C-section can feel overwhelming at times. Having someone guide you through positioning, latch, and those first few weeks makes a big difference.

At Gentle Beginnings Doula in Singapore, I work with mums recovering from C-sections to make breastfeeding more comfortable and less stressful—so you can focus on bonding with your baby while you heal.

Final Thoughts

Breastfeeding after a C-section takes a little patience and adjustment, but it’s absolutely possible. With skin-to-skin, comfortable positions, good pain management, and the right support, you and your baby can get off to a good start.

 If you’d like personalised support, I’d be happy to help. Reach out to book a free consultation with Gentle Beginnings Doula.