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Yes, you can nurse soon
after delivering by cesarean section. How long after depends largely on
what form of anesthesia you have--you need to be awake enough to hold your
baby! Some C-sections are done with regional anesthesia, and if you are
your baby are alert, then you can nurse in the delivery room. If you have a
general anesthetic, you may be out of it for a while. As soon as you are
awake and your baby is ready for feeding, you can go ahead and
nurse.
Hospital policies vary
on this, and some of it depends on whether the C-section is done in an
emergency situation. Talk with your doctor or midwife about what your
options might be if you do have a cesarean birth, and let them know
that breastfeeding is important to you.
If you do have a cesarean birth, you'll need to use pillows and have
help positioning for a few days to protect your incision. Many moms
find that either a side-lying position or a football hold (your baby
tucked under your under your arm with her legs behind you and so her
head is at your breast) works best to keep baby off the incision.
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