When does the milk come after Caesarean section? Why is breastfeeding so important? Stimulation of lactation
The question of when milk comes after cesarean section is of interest to many women. Especially he worries about those women who are to deliver with surgical intervention. According to some, the process of lactation after surgery should be associated with a large number of obstacles, and in some cases it is completely impossible. Is it really? Let's try to understand.
General information
Contrary to our wishes, births are not always natural. Cesarean section is recommended for women for medical reasons. Over the past few years, the number of such operations has increased and today accounts for approximately 20% of the total number of births. Future moms, after learning the prescription of a doctor, begin to worry about lactation after the appearance of crumbs into the light. In fact, even after cesarean this process is possible.
Naturally, certain physical factors will make it difficult. The young mother after the operation often hurts to lie and is uncomfortable to get up. Some simply can not do without outside support.
The various aspects associated with the operation can lead to a belated appearance of milk. These include general anesthesia, a deficit of certain hormones, and the use of drugs to reduce uterus. Therefore, a young mother should work hard to achieve lactation.
What should I talk with my doctor?
Many women after natural birth do not want to breastfeed their baby. Some explain their desire for fear of losing lush forms, others simply do not have time for it. It is also worth mentioning about those ladies who are forced to come to work almost immediately after the appearance of crumbs.
The situation is completely different if the woman is to "artificial" birth. Caesarean section is not an excuse to refuse lactation. If the future mother wants to feed the child herself, she needs to discuss this matter with the doctor in advance. In this, the following tips can help her:
- If the operation is planned, you need to negotiate with the doctor, so that the baby has a little time in the battles. During this time, the hormonal background of a woman will have time to stabilize.
- You should ask a midwife immediately after the end of the surgery to put the crumbs to the chest. A similar request can be made by a close relative or spouse present during childbirth.
- If cesarean is performed using general anesthesia, lactation will need to be slightly delayed.
Many inexperienced mothers have to face the prohibition of nurses feeding the baby in the department after the operation. If there is no threat to the health of the child or the woman herself, there should not be any obstacles to lactation.
Possible complications after caesarean section
Unfortunately, the negative consequences of surgical intervention are often observed in young mothers. All kinds of complications can be conditionally divided into three groups:
- on internal organs( for example, inflammation of the uterine cavity);
- at the seams;
- after anesthesia( disruption of the cardiovascular system, nervous elements).
Recovery after Caesarean
To avoid further health problems, a woman is prescribed antibiotics and a number of other maintenance medications. Together with a doctor, you can try to pick up such medicines that do not harm the process of lactation.
A woman, in turn, after an operation, it is important to monitor her health and well-being. It is necessary to look after the seams every day. Any physical activity is strictly prohibited. But gymnastics and walks with a sidecar in the open air will only benefit.
The benefits of breastfeeding
If a woman worries that after a cesarean no milk, she knows about its beneficial properties for the newborn. It is characterized by an ideal ratio of proteins, vitamins and fats. These substances are necessary for the full development of crumbs in the early days. In addition, breast milk contains special antibodies. They favorably influence the immunity of the child, helping to improve it. Natural feeding promotes normalization of the digestive system of the baby. Mamino milk is much easier to digest, unlike the adapted mixtures. It reduces the risk of sudden death, prevents the development of complications in premature infants.
As for the newly mummy, in her case the lactation process also has a beneficial effect on the body. With it, the uterus contracts faster, so there is no need to take special medications.
First feeding after operation
When does milk come after cesarean delivery? Answer exactly to this question is not possible. Most often the long-awaited moment happens right after the operation. It is important to attach the baby to the breast in the first six hours after birth, since during this period he has a high sucking activity.
Many women have to face the problem when milk does not come after three or even four days. Experts explain this by the lack of activity of the hormone oxytocin. He is responsible for labor during labor, and also contributes to the process of lactation and rapid production of milk. During the natural process, impulses are transmitted to the brain. He is already making his own decision and tells the body what to do. Against the background of surgical intervention, this chain is broken. The body does not immediately react to the birth of a child. Therefore, the procedure for becoming lactation is somewhat delayed. In some women, breast milk appears only on the 5th-9th day, others - on the fourth day, and the third few weeks can not wait for the first drops of colostrum.
To establish the process of lactation and eliminate all the attendant difficulties, you need to understand the nature of their occurrence. If a woman is not able to understand on her own why there is no milk after cesarean section, consult a doctor. And we will try to describe in detail the problems that arise when breastfeeding after surgery.
Milk congestion
Large amounts of milk require periodic pumping. Otherwise, a woman can develop mastitis. It is an inflammatory process in the mammary glands that occurs due to fluid stagnation. Most often it can be observed in the event that the baby insistently refuses to eat. Lack of timely treatment can lead to complete resection of the organ. Therefore, every newly mummy should know how to express the milk correctly.
Caesarean section is not prescribed exclusively at the whim of a lady. Usually such an operation is dictated by medical evidence, when the health of the baby or the woman herself is threatened. After surgery, the newborn and his mother may be separated for some time. How in such cases to save milk, not to let it stagnate?
From this situation, doctors offer only one option - pumping. How to express milk? This procedure can be performed independently or resorted to using a special device.
Few milk
If the child does not eat, he becomes excessively capricious and refuses to sleep. To understand how much breastmilk is needed for a crumb is very easy. If the child ate, he becomes calm and almost immediately falls asleep.
To establish the process of breastfeeding, it is necessary to understand the cause of such a violation. Among the factors leading to the lack of milk, doctors call the following:
- premature baby;
- complications after cesarean;
- wrong nutrition of the mother;
- reception of hormonal or diuretics;
- severe mental trauma;
- infectious diseases in the parturient woman.
To baby fully fed, you need to eliminate the root cause of the violation. All the problems listed above are easily solved.
When milk comes after cesarean section, it is difficult to say. However, each woman can periodically arrange checks for her breasts, gently expressing. If all attempts end in vain, panic is not worth it. It is better to stimulate the nipples every two hours by such a procedure. You can not press hard, and light massage movements will definitely benefit.
If there is no milk, pediatricians still recommend that they put the baby to the breast. With sucking movements, he will stimulate the mother's body to produce the same oxytocin. When milk comes after cesarean, you can understand that this hormone is involved in active work.
Usually lactation problems end 10 days after the operation. If the listed recommendations did not help, you should try to soberly analyze the situation. Maybe there is no milk because of postpartum depression or strong feelings? In this case, it is important to try to pull yourself together and tune in to positive thinking for the sake of the health of crumbs.
Nipple or chest?
Breastfeeding after cesarean can be complicated by another problem. While the mother is in the intensive care unit, the crumb will be supplemented with artificial mixtures. During this time the child will have time to get used to easy "extraction" of food. When the time comes to take the breast, he can simply refuse it. Sucking is a very complex process, which many babies are not easy to give. Even when milk arrives after cesarean section, the newly mummy must constantly put the baby to the breast. The process of habituation is quite long, so you will have to be patient.
It can also be difficult to grip the nipple. Many children, including those born naturally, have to face this problem. At first, mom should constantly help the baby. If she does not know how to properly give breasts, you can ask the medical staff to explain all the manipulations.
How can I get lactation after cesarean?
On the second day after surgery, a woman is transferred to a regular ward. The newborn will be already with her, but it is recommended to feed it only on demand. This will make it easier to adjust the lactation process. In the first hours, a woman has only colostrum, but this should not be frightened. A child needs only a few drops of liquid to get enough. The newly mummy has the opportunity to recover faster and prepare the body for regular feeding if it follows the recommendations below. What to do to have milk after cesarean?
- About 40 minutes before lactation, drink hot unsweetened tea.
- Before direct feeding, unwrap the baby.
- Constantly stroking the child in the direction from the head to the legs.
- Regularly express milk if the baby is in the intensive care unit.
After discharge, already at home, pediatricians recommend to abandon the bottle and often apply the crumb to the chest. Then there will be more milk.
When is supplementation required?
If the child constantly refuses to breastfeed, do not rush and give him a supplement. In it, as a rule, premature and weak children need. They do not gain, but often lose weight. On average, babies should be added to 100 grams per week. It should be noted that each kid is individual, therefore, the indicators may differ.
Docking is necessary in case the child and mother are separated for a long time. Without first consulting with a doctor, it is not recommended to start it. Unfortunately, practice shows that the return to full-fledged breastfeeding is often accompanied by difficulties.
Summing up
Caesarean section is not a barrier to breastfeeding. According to statistics, only 25% of women after surgery have problems. Most newly mums feed their babies from the second day. For lactation use special teas based on fennel and the like. Moreover, they finish these procedures only after a year or a year and a half.