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Alternative breastfeeding positions after a caesarean

Breastfeeding can be difficult to establish however you give birth. Women that have had the most straightforward vaginal birth also experience problems. Whether your birth is ‘natural’ or not is only one of several factors which may affect your chances of success.

Some women experience difficulties because their scar is uncomfortable. Learning alternative breastfeeding positions can make feeding equally possible and just as rewarding as the more conventional positions.

While the cradle position works perfectly well for many women following a caesarean, side-lying puts you and your baby on your sides next to each other and your incision is less easily kicked. Bed-sharing makes it easier to get into position and respond more quickly to the feeding needs of your baby. In the football hold you sit up holding your baby to one side rather than across your body again protecting your incision. Lots of pillows can make this position very comfortable. It is easier for managing your baby’s latch as you have both arms free.

If you are experiencing difficulties talk to your health visitor, find out about local breastfeeding support groups and talk to other mums. Just one new idea from any one of these might be the thing that makes all the difference for you and your baby. Remember too, if breastfeeding is not working for you don’t beating yourself up, acknowledge that you have tried and switch to a bottle. It is far better that your baby has a confident, happy mum than one that is stressed out from pain or feelings of inadequacy.

Drop in clinic on Netmums

I will be running a caesarean birth drop-in-clinic on Netmums this Friday (2nd March). Join me there to ask any questions you have about any aspect of caesarean birth.

“Whether you are a first time or experienced mum, the prospect of giving birth can be a daunting and exciting at the same time…We hope this will give you the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss your forthcoming birth with experts other than your regular midwife.”

‘Caesarean Birth: A positive approach…’ the details

Book blurb:

“Caesareans are a possible outcome of any birth. Even the most straightforward pregnancy can end this way. Being prepared for such an eventuality can significantly improve your chances of viewing a caesarean birth positively.

Unfortunately many antenatal classes and birth books give very little information about caesareans, leaving women unprepared for this mode of birth. This book has the facts and lots of ideas to help you prepare and recover:

– Why prepare for a caesarean birth?

– How to make the most of a caesarean birth, should you have one

– How to avoid a caesarean if possible

– How to improve your recovery

– What a caesarean birth is and why it might be necessary

– The benefits and risks of vaginal versus caesarean birth

– The implications of caesareans on future births

Covering every aspect of caesareans this book will help you to make confident, informed decisions about your birth. A positive birth experience will put you in a stronger position for your adventure into motherhood.

Reviews from the backcover:

“I am so glad I read this book before my birth. I didn’t intend having a caesarean but when it happened I wasn’t at all frightened and I fed ‘S’ in the recovery room. This book thoroughly demystified caesarean birth for me, it is a must read for anyone planning to have a baby and I will definitely be buying it for my friends.” Vicki (35)

“At long last pregnant women can get the unbiased and easily digestible information they need about caesareans. They can have useful discussions with their healthcare providers and make informed decisions about the birth of their baby” Bryan Beattie (MD FRCOG, Consultant in Fetal Medicine & Director of Innermost Secrets Ltd)

“Before reading it I had never considered what might happen if I needed a caesarean. I feel far more confident about my next birth.” Samantha (32)

“This book should be required reading for professionals to enable them to respond to the needs of an increasingly informed group of women.” Christa Greenacre (NCT teacher-retired)

The reviews have been very positive, thank you everyone.

I have listed the medical contributors for your information.

RCOG list Caesarean Birth: A positive approach to preparation and recovery

Professor Jim Dornan (ex Senior Vice President of RCOG) reviews ‘Caesarean Birth: A positive approach to preparation and recovery’.

“The book is an excellent read, and has already been endorsed by, amongst many others,  James Drife, Phil Steer, Brian Beattie, and myself. [RCOG members]…It’s a fact that 25% of OUR charges end up having a caesarean and yet there is a paucity of information for mothers and this book address ALL the major issues in a non judgemental manner. It neither promotes caesarean birth nor does it castigate it as a method of childbirth. It is a book that is well overdue, and indeed it is sad that a member of the lay public had to be relied on to come up with it! It is incredibly well researched and referenced, and no serious studies have been excluded by it’s author.