Breastfeeding by Mothers with Cesarean Section Delivery

Abstract

Cesarean section (C-section) is an alternative to childbirth if a normal delivery cannot be achieved. However, in recent decades, the C-section rate has increased in many countries to become more common than vaginal birth. C-section deliveries are associated with lower rates of early initiation breastfeeding. Delay in early initiation of breastfeeding at C-section delivery is related to separation of mother and baby, reduced ability to breastfeed the baby, decreased acceptance of the baby, and lack of milk supply, which can result in shorter duration of breastfeeding. The results of previous studies showed that there was a negative correlation between delivery by C-section and the implementation of early initiation of breastfeeding. This fact indicates that C-section is one of the obstacles in early breastfeeding. Therefore, health workers need to educate the mothers to encourage them to have a spontaneous delivery if there is no medical indication. Suppose indeed the mother needs a C-section for medical reasons. In that case, healthcare professionals (obstetricians, midwives and nurses) also need to optimize the implementation of early breastfeeding initiation for mothers with C-section so that mothers and babies can still gain the experiences and benefits of early breastfeeding initiation and early bonding to the baby.