How to Have Your Best Start to Breastfeeding in Every Birthing Scenario

Did you know that the birth you have matters when it comes to breastfeeding? There are certain interventions that can affect breastfeeding and your milk supply. Some common interventions that can affect your ability to breastfeed are IV fluids, epidural, Pitocin, and cesarean births.

Sometimes birth interventions are necessary, and if that's the case, that doesn't mean you can't breastfeed. It just means we may need to alter the way you approach those first feedings and the early postpartum period so you can have the best breastfeeding experience despite your birthing circumstances. 

Knowing is half the battle. As a lactation expert, one of the fist things I would say to you during a virtual breastfeeding support session is,"tell me about your birth." I can get clues about what's going on based on your birth experience, and then use that knowledge to make a plan of action that will work for you, your baby, and your circumstances. 

In this post we cover different birthing scenarios, and how you can still have Your Best Start to Breastfeeding, no matter your birthing outcomes.

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Welcome to the Successful Breastfeeding Blog!
We offer same day breastfeeding support. Virtually. Anywhere. 

When you're done with this post check out our other most popular blogs!
Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
Everything You Need to Breastfeed, And What You Don't
Top 3 Cues Your Newborn Uses to Communicate with You
Essential Sleep Survival Strategies with Your Breastfed Baby
How to Plan the Gentle, Family Centered Cesarean You'll Actually Enjoy

and don't forget
Your Prenatal Crash Course for a Successful Breastfeeding Journey

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It's been on my heart for a long time to talk on the blog about the birth and breastfeeding connection. So I am especially excited to bring this post to you today and cover this topic. I had the pleasure of inviting Bridgette Mietling to speak with my about this subject. Bridgette is a child birth instructor and lactation counselor who supports families professionally through the birthing and breastfeeding process, and which makes her the perfect expert for our topic today. 

Bridgette generously agreed to join me on the Successful Breastfeeding Podcast and shared her wisdom and experience with us on our latest podcast episode. We talk about birth, different birth outcomes, and what you can do to have your best start despite birth outcomes. ​

This is me, Kelly Maher CLC, CLE . Hi! I'm your guide here at Successful Breastfeeding and the Host of our podcast.

Help me welcome Bridgetter Meitling, our guest expert for today's post and podcast episode.

Questions we answer in the episode:
Why does the birth you have matter for breastfeeding?
What are some of the interventions a mother may face in birth, and how do they affect breastfeeding?
How can we have our best start to breastfeeding after a typical delivery?
How can we set ourselves up for success in the following scenarios:

• Epidural/Sleepy Baby
• Long Term IV Use in Labor
• Vaccuum/Forcep Delivery
• Planned Cesarean
• Emergency Cesarean
• When Baby Needs to Be Separated From Mom
• NICU Stays
• How to Get Comfortable if You're in Pain After Birth (Episiotomy, Cesarean, Cramping)

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Plus Bridgette shares her ultimate breastfeeding advice she wants every new mom to hear. Take a listen to the episode right now by pushing play below! You really don't want to miss this episode. 

Enjoy the episode? Ready for more?!
Check out our podcast and full list of episodes right here. 

We'd also love to hear from you!
Tell us about your birth plans, or how your birth may have affected your breastfeeding experience in the comments below!

Author

I'm Kelly! As far as credentials go I am a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), HUG trained, breastfeeding counselor, a mother of 4 beautiful kids, and advocate for families.  My personal experience with breastfeeding fueled my passion, and generated my mission. I founded Successful Breastfeeding because I saw a need for a better, more thorough, and individualized support for breastfeeding moms- especially working breastfeeding moms! I provide an approach to breastfeeding support that you won't find anywhere else! Breastfeeding is not one size fits all, and breastfeeding support should not be either!