Not all mothers give birth to their babies naturally. At times, they might be required to deliver the baby through cesarean section (c-section), i.e., a surgical procedure. This surgical procedure, when done unplanned, could result in a difficult delivery. As a consequence, mothers often suffer from a lot of short- and long-term effects on their health. A lot of questions cross their minds too, as their health is on the verge of facing issues like infection, blood loss, surgical injury, iron deficiency, and more.
No doubt, products like abdominal binder after c section are there, but their main concern revolves around the uncertainty of breastfeeding. For newborns, milk is the best, as it provides them with all essential nutrients, aids in their optimal growth and development, and also protects them from different health ailments. Breastfeeding acts as the first step in the formation of the emotional bond between the mother and the infant. Read on to know about some breastfeeding tips for new mothers that will help you better your nursing experience after undergoing a C-section.
Skin-To-Skin Contact Is Essential
It would be best to have skin-to-skin contact with your infant within the first 24 hours of giving birth. Doing so helps you form a bond with your child, catch up and respond to the baby’s cues for breastfeeding quickly. A skin-to-skin contact (SSC) also aids the baby in following up on their natural instincts of finding and attaching to the breast. For mothers, it could lessen the maternal pain and anxiety as well. You can ask a family member of yours to assist holding the baby for you if you’re not able to do so.
Start Pumping ASAP
It’s suggested to use a pump for expressing colostrum and beginning the lactation process right after a C-section delivery, as the milk production might slow down otherwise. Try to begin pumping right away after giving birth. This helps in starting the milk supply and also allows its robust supply as well. It has to be done within the first 1-3 hours after birth and needs to be continued every couple of hours so as to normalize the milk production. Make sure to thoroughly clean and sterilize the pumps before using.
Take Help From Your Midwife
Midwives are the ones who look after pregnancy, birth, newborn care, and postpartum health as well. This means they would look after you not just when you are done with giving birth but for later times as well. They are there for you when you need them to offer emotional support as well. Share with them your feelings if they’re hard to manage on your own or you are unsure about a particular concern. They can also offer you feeding support as and when required.
Try Out Different Feeding Positions
Always go with the position that puts the least amount of pressure on your incision so as to recover from the wound quickly. Take help from your partner or someone available near you to take and hold a position in which you are able to comfortably breastfeed your baby. Most common positions for it are laid-back, side-lying, football hold, cradle, or crossover hold position.
Seek Assistance From Breastfeeding Cafes
It would take you around 4 days at max for the basic rehabilitation from a cesarean delivery. That doesn’t mean you don’t require any further assistance. This is when the role of community support groups like breastfeeding cafes pops in. Especially for new moms, they serve as a socialization space wherein they can share their common concerns and receive valuable advice as well. As per a conducted survey, more than 70% of mothers rated the Baby Cafe model as an effective means of helping each other.
Breastfeed Regularly
After undergoing a c-section delivery, you might notice that the milk is coming a bit delayed, which is fully normal. Still, it’s advised to encourage the infant to suck on the breast as it would result in quick production of the milk-making hormones. Plus, you need to feed the baby regularly in order to boost the milk supply. For the first few weeks, you need to feed the baby as and when they demand; that is usually every 1-3 hours and 9-12 times a day.
Use Pain Medicines As And When Required
Don’t refrain from taking the pain medicines that your doctor has prescribed you. These would be the doses that would bring down the pain levels that you might be having after c-section. The most common areas where you might experience pain are the incision site and the uterus. These medications also help you in the recovery phase as the uterus shrinks back to the pre-pregnancy size and aids you in nursing conveniently.
Use Pillows For Added Comfort
Pillows serve a lot of purposes in the postpartum period. For it, either you can go with normal pillows or choose nursing pillows or boppy pillows that are specifically designed for nursing mothers. Place them under your arms, across your belly, at the back and neck, and below the incision site for better nursing and faster healing. They are quite effective in reducing the pain at the wound site.
Learn Hand Expression
For some moms, hand expression can put them at more ease than using a pump does. It might take some effort and time for them to get used to doing it, but it’s worth the effort. As per some studies, learning how to hand express could be more effective at removing colostrum than pumping is. Doing so also reduces the chances of engorgement that could cause issues like plugged ducts or a breast infection. This practice also makes the breast easier to latch on for the infant. It’s advised to begin with the hand expression within an hour or two after giving birth.
Use An Abdominal Binder
The postpartum period is an important time for your recovery. This is the time when mothers suffer from issues like constant pain at the incision site, reduced mobility, bad posture, and more. For it, an abdominal binder must be used, as it serves a mom with benefits such as providing inner strength, helping in healing, improving the posture, alleviating pain, and more.
Wrapping Up
Giving birth is an experience that completely transforms a woman emotionally and mentally. It’s never a cup of cake for them, especially for first-time moms. Doing so might be a bit troublesome when done as a C-section, but by following the right measures and getting proper assistance, nursing gets a lot easier. If you’re also a first-time mother, SNUG360 should be your go-to choice for postpartum essentials. Our store of products consists of offerings like the best belly binder after c section, pregnancy belly band, and more.