Response to babies direct breastfeeding after cesarean birth: Our mom and
babies routinely nurse following the birth.  It is our policy that moms and
babies have the opportunity to nurse within the first hour regardless of type
of birth.  Often with our cesarean birth moms, this will occur in the
recovery room which is in the same area as our birthing suites.  Due to the
responsibilities of the nurse helping mom after delivery...attaching IV fluid
to pump, checking fundus, bleeding, etc., and often in addition to caring for
a second patient in another room often means the LC will have to assist mom
with direct breastfeeding.  In most instances, someone has to remain at the
bedside the entire feeding for the safety of the baby and to support and
encourage mom who may be exhausted from a long labor followed by a Csection,
who may be nauseated, who may be shivering, who may not be capable of
adequately and safely supporting her baby and her breasts. We appreciate this
opportunity as that first hour or two seems to be critical to imprinting, to
stabilizing the baby's glucose, to allowing mom and baby time together, and
to educate staff and community that the baby's needs are important; that they
cannot be postponed regardless of the inconvenience to staff and family.
Typically, a support person is present and occasionally can assist and can
often remain while baby does skin to skin to allow us to leave the room.
Occasionally mom or a member of the family ask that we just give a bottle for
the first feeding so mom can rest.  In most cases, this occurs because mom
views human milk and nonhuman milk as equivalent.  This gives us a chance to
educate mom and most times, she will happily breastfeed her baby in RR, she
just did not realize it mattered.  Immediately following a CS is not the most
optimal learning moment; but, sometimes its the only moment we have.
Sometimes mom's condition does not allow for breastfeeding at that time and
as most of our babies eventually go to a triage nursery (I know! I know!),
this delays the first feeding until mom is taken to a postpartum room which
is not optimal for all the reasons associated with delaying a newborn's
feeding.  If the baby is hypoglycemic, he can be returned to the RR for
nursing if mom's is willing and able.
Always, Always, I take my cues from mom.  She is the one who ultimately
determines her ability to nurse at that time.
"A person's a person no matter how small"
- Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who...
Georgia Morrow

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