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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 position and the football hold.
Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Denele Ivins
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 10, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 10, 2007
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