Turns Out, Your Milk Supply Isn't Affected By Your C-Section

Many moms make the decision to breastfeed before their baby arrives, but if you have discovered that you'll be delivering your little one via C-section, you might have some concerns. In the past, it was widely thought that women couldn't lactate or breastfeed after a C-section, but modern science has debunked that myth. If you are going to have a cesarean, and are planning on breastfeeding, you might want to know, when will your milk supply come in after a C-section?

According to Kelly Mom, it can take anywhere from two to six days for your milk to come in, regardless of how your baby was delivered. Apparently when your placenta is separated from your uterus, hormones signal your body to produce milk. Just like with a vaginal delivery, you’ll be able to feed your baby colostrum right after they are born.

When your milk comes in, further explained Kelly Mom, it means that the colostrum — which your body begins producing in your second trimester of pregnancy — increases and changes into milk. Colostrum, the article noted, is a concentrated version of milk that provides your newborn nutrients and antibodies in the first days of life.

If your baby is lethargic from the anesthesia given to you during surgery, Breastfeeding Basics explained that the baby may need a little extra stimulation to stay awake during feedings, so that it doesn’t prolong the time it takes for your milk to come in. The more your baby suckles, the more your body gets cues to produce milk, so it’s a good idea to get started right after birth if possible.

Parenting suggested trying a football hold or a side-lying nursing position to keep the pressure off your incision after your C-section. You should also keep your nurses, doctors, or doulas in the loop about your plans to breastfeed so that they can offer you support right after the delivery and throughout your hospital stay.

It’s nice to know that even if you’re having a C-section, your milk will come in, just like your body intended. (Sleep, however, will still be missing.)