I am pregnant with my second miracle boy and expecting to have a c-section on Sept 17th. I’ll be high risk at delivery, and I am scared to death. I just pray things to go alright. I have a nine-year-old son whom I was only able to breastfeed for barely a month. I developed a blood clot, was placed on medication where I was advised to pump and dump, then hemorrhaged nearly a month after my first was born and nearly died. It crashed all of my breastfeeding dreams. I dried up immediately during all of that. I really want to breastfeed with this little one. So bad! Is there anything I can do to try and prepare my body before my c-section? I labored naturally until I had to be put to sleep to have my son before. So if I am not naturally going into labor, will my body just know to start producing afterward? This go around, it will all be planned, and I am nervous about how my body will naturally produce on its own. Any advice would be appreciated.
I had a csection with my second and my milk didn’t come in for about 3 days later. I couldn’t breastfeed though because I had to go back on a ton of my mental health medications right away. I did read that eating a bowl of oatmeal everyday helps boost production and they also make cookies to help you produce more milk.
Your milk normally comes in a few days after delivery - it’s triggered by postpartum hormone changes, not labor itself, so no matter how your baby is born you will have milk come in around the same time. Good luck!
Maybe you should ask your doctor to refer to to a lactation specialist, I have heard that can be very helpful.
Most people don’t realize that even without pregnancy you can make your breast produce milk. I have met several moms who adopted and still breast fed their (adopted) baby! Try not to stress about it. Let the baby latch often to help production!
I had a csection with my second and my milk didn’t come till weeks later. However it still wasn’t enough to feed him. I was heart broken. I would try after having him. Best of luck to you and ur precious miracle!
I had two c sections. My daughter I couldn’t breast feed no matter how hard I tried and I pumped for her until it was no longer enough . But my second I just had less then three months ago a baby boy and he latched like a pro and breastfeeds great.
My milk supply is great and I make sure he latched often to keep milk supply going. I had a c section planned with him and no laboring and my milk supply is great ive even been told I’m oversupply I make so much so don’t even worry about how baby is born that won’t effect milk supply just keep baby latching as frequently as possible. I also had high risk pregnancies and labor’s and all went well.
I hope it works out for you. 
you got this !
Some women leak milk while pregnant. Contact La Leche League
Look up foods that support breast milk production. Oatmeal really helps! Also try to get baby to latch every couple of hours and also pump for about 20 minutes after every feed even if you don’t get anything it helps
I think From 36 weeks you can start hand expressing colostrum and freeze untill baby is born, this may help untill your milk comes in. Also once baby is born you could start taking fenugreek capsules, they worked wonders for me this time around 
good luck Mumma
I have had two c sections and breastfed my first child for three years. I am currently breastfeeding my second. He was born about a month ago and had to stay in the NICU for five days. He was hypoglycaemic (had low blood sugar) and his recovery depended on my milk coming in or having him put on formula (which I really wanted to avoid). The nurses and doctors were so supportive and helped me get my milk flowing by letting me stay in a room off the NICU. I had to feed him every three hours and then they had me pump for 20 minutes after each feeding to stimulate my nipples and encourage my milk to come in. He was born on a Wednesday morning and my milk started coming in on the Saturday. I agree with all of the above advice. Definitely request to see the lactation consultant after you have your baby while you are still in hospital. Successful breastfeeding depends on a proper latch. Also try to relax and not stress about your milk coming in. Stress can prevent your body from making milk. Eat, drink lots of water, rest, sleep, meditate, latch baby as much as possible, and pump after each feed. Also get some lanolin as your nipples will need it!!!
I would see if you could talk with a lactation consultant. For me, personally. I am breastfeeding my 3rd child and lasted till 18months for my first 2. With all 3, at some point my supply dropped. I drink mother’s milk tea (this doesn’t work for everyone, and it taste like black licorice) and make my own lactation cookies (oatmeal, brewer’s yeast and flaxseed are the main ingredients). Milky mama is a well known company that makes sweets, teas and drops to help with milk production. The emergency brownies they sell worked well for me. I hope you get the chance to breastfeed your little one. Best of luck 
Please don’t stress yourself out about it. Fed is best. If bf works, great if it doesn’t, fine too. Just don’t allow anyone(including yourself) to shame you for not being able to do it.
Your baby latching will help my milk come in, even if you don’t think theirs milk have baby latch, obviously make sure baby’s gaining weight and on just dry nursing but the baby nursing will help tremendously with production.
With my first son i couldnt my milk didnr come in my daugther and second son my milk came in but i opted for formula just cause i work and it was easiest
I’ve had two c- sections. Your body will naturally know to produce breast milk after your baby arrives. You can make it known that you’d like to do skin to skin with baby right after delivery, as that will make for a smooth transition into breastfeeding. They will of course weigh and wipe off your baby(either before or after your skin to skin), as well as stitch you up and move you to a room before you breastfeed baby. You may also request to speak with a lactation consultant who can help ease any stresses or fears you may have regarding breastfeeding. They can also give you tips on good feeding positions,as well as ways to help with milk let down. In example, hand expression or putting wash cloth with warm water over breasts, warm showers, etc. Every experience may differ. Try your best to stay relaxed.
Breast milk is produced by the release of the placenta.
Your body makes colostrum for the first 3-5 days which is plenty for your newborn and full of antibodies.
Seek out a lactation consultant and avoid the pump for the first few weeks until supply settles.
Nothing you eat or drink will effect supply it is entirely supply and demand. The more milk you remove the more milk you make. Look up the fourth trimester and buy a sling
I had 3 c-sections and only before the last did I actually go into labor before hand. My milk came in just fine after each one and I was able to breastfeed that same day. So try not to worry about that at least. I understand about drying up after a health crisis of your own. I had to have an emergency appendectomy when I was still breastfeeding my last and after having to pump and dump for days and the stress on my body I dried up. It wasn’t what I planned, but it still worked out alright. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything goes well.
If you want to build your supply, pump, pump, and PUMP! I pumped 8 times daily to build a beauty surplus and now, at 6 months old, I’m beginning to stop pumping all together due to having said surplus.
Mothers Milk Tea!!! Drink it while pregnant cause it’s super good for you and super good for making enough milk. If you don’t like the taste than mix lemon and ginger tea with it. Also oat milk is amazing! Research a lot before you try and breast feed cause I think a lot of people who try just didn’t have enough information on it
I breastfed both of mine for 16 months each and they were both delivered by C-section. Make sure to request a consult with a lactation consultant when you’re in the hospital, especially if you’re having any trouble, but even if you just need reassurance you’re doing things right.
Please please please don’t feel like a failure of you can’t. Be prepared that for whatever reason it might not happen again, and that’s ok. As long as your baby is fed and happy that’s all that matters.x
I feel your fear and worry, but know that every pregnancy, birth, and baby is different. Try not to let the worry haunt the beauty of your birth experience, you have so much more knowledge this time around! Just between us, I know you’re going to be a great mom–again!
Milk production is triggered when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, regardless if that happens naturally or not. Your body will naturally know what to do. BUT will also require guidance. This means nipple stimulation! If you are unable to latch and nurse within the first hour of birth, you will need to begin hand expressions to help bring your milk in, which usually happens between day 2-5. As well as much skin to skin as possible.
Unfortunately there is not much to be done before birth to prepare for your breastfeeding journey. Really right now is just about your EDUCATION! I suggest taking a class and consulting with your local lactation specialists.
ALSO, galactogogues ( lactation supplements) are anecdotal. There is little to no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. The only proven natural ways to help supply is through skin to skin contact and milk removal. Do not waste your money on products claiming, but not proving, to aid in lactation.
My first was c section no problem breastfeeding. If you are nervous about it go to a lactation specialist before you give birth. The biggest thing is to relax and love that special time!
Best advice is to try to breastfeed as soon as you are able to and speak to the lactation consultant while you are there, that is what they are there for. It is ok if you don’t produce very much right away because baby just needs colostrum at first.
Just persevere. There were so many times that seemed like I should give up- like I had mastitis, didn’t make a lot of milk at first, baby wouldn’t latch great etc but I just carried on through it regardless. Just drink loads and relax. It’s the most natural thing and it will be fine, people just give up too easily xxx
My daughter got a lot of help from a lactation specialist. Wish we had these years ago! Good luck and prayers for a wonderful experience. You will be in good hands!!
My milk didn’t come in until 4 days post c-section. I just made sure every 1-2 to get her to nurse and then supplemented with formula until it did. I had SO MUCH when I did come that for the first 2 months I used the hakaa to collect my let down on whichever side she wasn’t nursing on and froze all that milk in case something happened to my supply or for when I wean her to use in her purees and cereals.
Your hospital will have lactation consultants available to you. Use them vs online advice for this.
It’s ok if you can’t breastfeed. I also dried up quickly with my rainbow baby and my other baby didn’t like it as much. Feeding your baby is what matters. The consultants at the hospital will be better than any advice online. They are usually free and work with you until they are weened
I had an emergency c section With my son who’s now nearly 14, I had an acute fatty liver and was put in a coma for 24 hrs as lost a lot of blood. I managed to breast feed for 4 weeks after xx
Make sure your hospital is "Baby Friendly.’ They will do their utmost to help you. And remember to be relaxed and cheerful when you hold the baby. Tension will slow down lactation and babies may sense if you are afraid or worried. And think about formula as life saving treatment if you can’t breastfeed. The love and interaction that comes with holding and feeding your newborn is what is most important, not the brand or system you have for supplying the food.
You are wonderfully motivated! You got this, Mama. Hormones alter immediately with delivery and milk production begins. Do take advantage of lactation specialists. My s.i.l. is one and she is amazing!
Relax every pregnancy is different, forget what happened and look forward… if you can not nurse you are not a failure we make plans but other things happen…embrace whatever happens… God bless
My sons are teenagers now but all 3 were cesareans. My doctor had given me a prescription to help with lactation. It worked. Best of luck to you and your new baby.
Find and talk to a lactation consultant. This will be immensely helpful for you.
Oh one more thing. Toughen up your nipples. Get some breastfeeding bras and leave the flaps down. Rub them hard with a terry cloth wash cloth twice a day or more. It will be easier on you.
Your body is literally MADE for this! You got this mama, like the above post said, drink lots of water and eat lots of food. If you find yourself struggling reach out to your local LC.
I had problems with lactation of my first baby because she wasn’t placed on my breast when she was born. After a wail of her touching my nipples, her tryings, l started produce milk and fed her for 13 months. With my c section 3 other children l didn’t have problems! My first and third had tong tight we found that after 12 years! My first is a hero!
Good luck!
2 time C-section mom here. I didn’t think I needed the advice of a lactation specialist or any classes on breastfeeding but after having my first and having to supplement with formula for 7 months and then total formula for rest. I made sure to learn everything I could with my second and was able to breastfeed exclusively for 14 months. So I highly suggestion talking to a professional. Find out from your hospital if they do classes and then use the lactation nurse on duty when you deliver!! The main thing I did differently though from first to second was pump out each breast after breastfeeding from day 1 to make sure my body would keep producing more. It helped a lot when I had stored milk and went back to work. I pumped every 2 hours when I went back to work too. I did start spreading it out after I noticed my production was decreasing, I would do like 2 1/2 hours then 3 until I got to about 4 hours but that was after while. It was dedication and thankfully I was lucky to have a understanding boss.
I’ve had 3 c- sections and successfully breastfed them all. In fact the running joke was my 3 year old was going to have to come home from his honeymoon to get fed. LOL
Your body will produce milk after a C section. Do 20 minutes on each side and wait 2 hours between feedings. Don’t supplement with formula. The more your baby suckles the more milk you will produce.
Do you have anything called La Leche league? My children are all grown but this group of ladies got me through some tough times.
I had no one. My extended family thought it was gross. I had no support system.
Im sorry your milk dried up during that time when you were on medication. Had you known you could have pumped and dumped untill your system was clean. Even if your milk had dried up. If your baby would have taken to your breast your milk would have come back. Blessings to you. Have a wonderful time with it. I did. Hugs
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Cooked rice water help produce milk for your baby. I breastfed my son for 2 years. What you do is wash about 1/2 cup of rice, then put in a pot, then put into boil with water nearly to top(sorry family remedy no exact measurements) let it boil until the rices cracked cuz you want the rice cooked so the water from it has the starch you need to produce your baby milk daily. You want to drink the water from that rice soup and you can choose to eat the rice if you want but the water from it, is what you need. Sprinkle a bit of salt into the rice pot to add flavor. Do this everyday It works for me cuz I breastfed my son for 2 years. Good luck!
My first was natural and it was such a rough delivery a midwife ended up pump for me as I just wasn’t with it! Then had 2 c sections & both fed as soon as I was our of theatre! As everyone else has said, ask for help. The hospital I was at could not have been more helpful!
I’ve had two c section babies. I was only able to breastfeed my daughter for two months as I was just not producing enough no matter what I did. I had my son in February of this year via cesarean and my supply is on overflow. I’m naturally producing more than enough. It’s different with every baby, but your body will do what it will do. Breastfeeding my son has been a walk in the park compared to breastfeeding my daughter.
contact the LeLeche League…They are wonderful…and will help you all the way…I did not for the first two…thought I could not…but on number three…contacted them…and nursed the last four…sucessfully…good luck.
i had 3 sections… all with spinal and fed within 30 minutes with two, the third took a day before she was bothered to suck! No placenta and its hormones and there is the milk… the body is amazing…
Don’t feel it’s your only option. Do what you can. Love is more important. As long as he is fed.
Two c sections and breastfed both times. It wasn’t easy. Technique in so important and for me the specialist women in Amsterdam Watergrasmeer were a godsend. I booked them for hone visits to watch his it went snd give advice it was really necessary for me. This is in some ways natural and in other ways a skill you have to learn when everything is new and a juggle. Insurance also pays some of it.
My sister in law had two caesarians and breastfed both (her second child until about 5 years old). Your body will know because you won’t be pregnant anymore. I think it’s a huge worry because your first birth sounded traumatic but these are things you will be aware of and you’ll be more vigilant naturally this time round. Just eat well and don’t stress too much easier said than done I know. I had mastitis with my first but got through it and fed him for 20 months. I only stopped because I got pregnant on number 2 whom I breast fed for 21 months no problems. Every birth is different. You’re more prepared this time round and things you think you’ve forgotten will kick in. All the best for you and the new little one…I don’t envy the sleepless nights lol. X
Step 1 relax, and I know thats hard. I personally choose to bottle/ breast formula/ breast my children. Knowing that no matter what my body did my kiddo wouldnt be hungry made me relax and I produced 8+ oz a breast every 3 hrs. Im planning on donating this go round!
I had an emergency c-sec after a failed induction. My milk came in on cue hard and fast lol 
Why test fate - use formula
Prob shouldve asked your doctor or go to your local Wic next week. I had 2 c sections and bf both. My second i bf for 3 yrs.
There is a tea out there that is suppose to help with breastfeeding
I had three C-sections, two were scheduled. My advice is to let the nurses know you want to breastfeed. Also, sometimes this is uncomfortable but ask for the lactation consultant to come in. They will help with latching on. Also, just relax… breastfeeding takes time and patience. You’ll do great. If you have trouble please know that a fed child is best, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. 
Lots of skin to skin!
That is really something you need to talk to a specialist with!
your body should produce milk already in preperation for the baby. however- if you are still at risk of blood clots and such, first talk to your doctor. and then you might need to pump and store your breast milk (at least 2-3 weeks) ahead of going into labor. it might not be the most perfect plan, but at least your baby will still have the antibodies produced by your body and such.
So much has changed in 9 years
Hi… I am a Lactation Consultant (CLEC) - every pregnancy, every baby is different, so every breast feeding experience will be different. Since during a C-sect, the placenta is removed rather than born, it does tal up to 5 days for Lactogenesis to occur, so it is super important to do skin to skin and latch baby within 1 hour. Since baby’s tummy is so small, you need to latch baby every 15 - 30 minutes round the clock. Start to pump as soon as your milk comes in - but not before - use hand expression before. And remember… breast feeding is never on a schedule for t could be every 10 minutes or every two hours, but never less than 12 times in 24 hours…
My advice is let ur body just do its thing hun i had an emergency c section with my eldest he was 6 wks prem n very poorly at birth (was born with very rare condition that thankfully his outgrown) i wanted t breast feed but unfortunately didnt produce n 2nd time was planned section n again wanted t breast feed but cudnt as i dried up in a matter of days before having the opportunity but u do wat u feel is best for u n ur body just trust ur instincts u no wats best for u n ur child
Go to a professional. Not for fb to answer
No breastfeeding advice because I never did it. But sending you hugs for your fears 
hoping you have luck this time around and hoping a lactation consultant can help you.
I just had a c section in April and when I was in the hospital for 4 days they brought me a pump to help keep my supply up. I didn’t labor at all. It was an emergency and my milk came like the day after my son.
You need to be getting your advise from a Medical Dr., not people on Facebook.
Look at https://www.llli.org/ this is a international non profit org that advice about breastfeeding.
Get connected with a La Lache League volunteer and see how they can help you prepare: https://www.llli.org/
Speak with a professional
I breastfed all 3 of my babies but only for about a month or so and I only had csections. With my last baby I used lactation cookies and they really helped with my production. Nipple stimulation also helps with milk production and I started doing that about 2 weeks before I had him. Best of luck!
I definitely recommend a nipple shield to make it easier to breastfeed baby! It prevents chapped and bloody nipples also.
God created your body to do this. Don’t worry! I had a c section and my milk came like 6 days after birth
If breastfeeding is important to you my advice would be to speak with a professional Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. (IBCLC). Follow their pages on Facebook, watch webinars, speak with them. They will be able to help you be best prepared and if it is important to you they can help you meet your goals. C-section or not you can breastfeed. Harvesting colostrum from 37 weeks will help you learn about your breasts and ensure some back up colostrum should baby need a bit of help in early days without having to use formula. Best of luck 
I think the main thing I wished someone had said to me before having a baby was that breast milk does NOT come in right away. It’s not a switch. It takes multiple days to get flowing.
Only 1-5% of woman cant breastfeed. There should be a lactation consultant on staff to help you.
We are taught that breastfeeding is “natural.” In a way, I suppose it is. But so many things have to line up – I am a child care provider and one of my moms had an inverted nipple - her son had a high palate. Although she tried and tried – he was not stimulating her milk supply – pumping was not enough – and she moved to formula. It is hard – it isn’t always “natural” - and back in the day, those kids would not have made it. When I was a baby, I went to live with my aunt and uncle due to inadequate parenting of my mom and dad – our “formula” back then was Carnation milk with Karo syrup! The most important thing is babies get nourishment — no matter what form it takes – and don’t feel guilty if you can’t. Love is what is important.
Call “La Leche league “
They will give you all the correct advice you need.
You will want the skin to skin contact immediately after birth and want to have the baby latch within the first hour after birth. If your baby doesn’t latch or you have to be separated during the first hours after birth, hand express the colostrum (ask the hospital for a small medicine cup to express the colostrum into). Your body’s signal to produce milk is when the placenta is completely expelled and your nipples are stimulated by stretching and the colostrum is removed from the breast. This needs to be done often (expect 10- 12plus times a day) for your body to produce the right amount for your baby. Also expect to produce colostrum for the first several days, which will only be a very small amount at first (less than a teaspoon to start). Your milk will probably come in around 3-5 days after delivery, with pain medication and labor inducing medication it can delay your milk production by a day or so. Don’t give up, if breastfeeding is what you want. Find a breastfeeding counselor to meet with before baby comes and afterwards just to give you the best possible outcome. Also find a breastfeeding group to attend, it helps to have other nursing moms around for moral support and any tips/advice if wanted.
Immediately try to latch your baby onto your breast. Not forcefully though! If they don’t latch, it’s okay! Ask for a lactation specialist and tell them you wanna self express until the baby can latch and don’t let them try to force your baby onto your breast! I believe that discouraged my son to latch because after about a month of pumping constantly and using nipple shields, he finally latched 
learning to self express right away will get your milk flowing and send signals to produce more cause your baby is here. And if you can pump, do it. If the baby skips a feeding, pump in place! Breastfeeding is hard but totally worth it. Good luck