Breastfeeding after cesarean section: difficulties in the first four months

Ladodo O.B., Karavaeva A.L., Timofeeva L.A., Zubkov V.V., Degtyarev D.N., Nikolaeva A.V., Chutkova D.A.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

Poor adherence to breastfeeding is a current problem among women who had cesarean section. The issues of preserving and maintaining lactation in women in the first 4–6 months after planned operative delivery are the most significant. Cesarean section and the postoperative period are influenced by many factors that make it difficult to establish lactation and maintain a positive attitude towards breastfeeding. These factors include postoperative pain, separate care for new mother and infant, difficulty in selecting the proper breastfeeding position, and the influence of public opinion; all of them may lead to a woman’s lack of confidence in her ability to breastfeed effectively.
To maintain a woman’s positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding, it is necessary to actively educate pregnant women about lactation at the prenatal stages, after the birth of the child, and after their discharge from the hospital. For successful breastfeeding, it is important to have maternal/newborn skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and to put the baby to the breast within the first hour of life. In the future it is recommended to continue monitoring the breastfeeding process to correct potential difficulties experienced by women after cesarean section. Various non-medication methods such as taping and massage can be used to reduce pain.
Conclusion: Cesarean section has a significant negative impact on the subsequent breastfeeding of the newborn. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures aimed at reducing the incidence of formula feeding among mothers after operative delivery.

Authors’ contributions: Ladodo O.B. – developing the concept and design of the study, writing the text, editing the article; Karavaeva A.L. – developing the concept and design of the study, collecting the material, editing the article; Timofeeva L.A. – developing the concept and design of the study, collecting the material; Zubkov V.V., Degtyarev D.N., Nikolaeva A.V. – developing the concept and design of the study, editing the article; Chutkova D.A. – collecting and processing the material, writing the text, editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Ladodo O.B., Karavaeva A.L., Timofeeva L.A., Zubkov V.V., Degtyarev D.N., Nikolaeva A.V., Chutkova D.A. Breastfeeding after cesarean section: difficulties in the first four months.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (7): 40-47 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.125

Keywords

breastfeeding
cesarean section
skin-to-skin contact

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Received 27.05.2024

Accepted 12.07.2024

About the Authors

Olga B. Ladodo, PhD, Head of the National Coordinating Center for Breastfeeding Support, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, o_ladodo@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4720-7231
Anna L. Karavaeva, Head of Clinical Work, neonatologist, Neonatal Unit, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, a_karavaeva@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5412-6598
Leila A. Timofeeva, PhD, Head of the Neonatal Unit, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, l_timofeeva@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3450-7390
Viktor V. Zubkov, Dr. Med. Sci., Director of the Institute of Neonatology and Pediatrics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, v_zubkov@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9697-9596
Dmitry N. Degtyarev, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, d_degtiarev@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8975-2425
Anastasia V. Nikolaeva, PhD, Chief Physician, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, a_nikolaeva@oparina4.ru
Daria A. Chutkova, Deputy Head of the National Coordinating Center for Breastfeeding Support, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(916)266-03-72, huhreva@gmail.com,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0356-1220
Corresponding author: Daria A. Chutkova, huhreva@gmail.com

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