https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:19:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2503685 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 20:04:44 +0000 CakeLady 2503685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH got to hold DS as soon as he was cleaned up a bit and swaddled, so within about 5 minutes. I got to hold him as they wheeled me to recovery, which probably was 30 minutes after he was delivered and pretty much as soon as we were in recovery an amazing nurse swooped in and helped me start nursing. (I am so grateful for her!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2503684 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 20:03:04 +0000 Trailmix 2503684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably not the answer you're looking for or hoping for but it was 5-6 hours before I got to hold my twins. I had complications during the C-section tho. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2503676 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 19:58:22 +0000 petitenoisette 2503676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My experience was a bit different because I had a dermoid cyst removed after my unplanned but not yet emergent c-section. So I think it took about an hour after she was born to finish up surgery. </p> <p>I didn't handle the extended surgery super well so my anesthesiologist ended up giving me something to chill me out and I guess I fell asleep! I don't remember falling asleep, DH told me later. </p> <p>So I didn't end up holding her until we were in recovery - I was super shaky so I didn't try to nurse until we were out of recovery at that point maybe it was 3 hours later? </p> <p>I don't want to be alarming though. If I had had a planned c-section I doubt most of these issues would have arisen. 40 hours of labor including 4 hours of pushing before a c-section will really mess you up :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2503656 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 19:34:59 +0000 pastemoo 2503656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: My OB office policy for schedule sections is to immediately hand you the baby and allow breastfeeding while they stitch you up... if you are up for it and everything is going well. :)</p> <p>ETA: With my emergency section, I was snowed, so I "woke up" after baby was in the whatever room babies get extra monitoring in. DH was able to go there after 30 minutes or so, and then I got to see him for the first time several hours later, so it all depends on the circumstances, of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2502167 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 16:49:30 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2502167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was unplanned after a failed 36 hour induction. I probably did not get to hold DD for 1.5–2 hours after she was born. </p> <p> DH got to hold her very shortly after she was born (just had to wait for Apgar and weight checks). He held her by my face but my arms were strapped out to my sides so I could not do anything. Then I was in recovery for much longer than normal (my blood pressure was going crazy - I was getting readings over 200!). I did not get to hold DD until after I was moved to the mother-baby unit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2502071 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 15:28:20 +0000 Finfan 2502071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was unplanned but I could hold her when we got to recovery. They would have let me breastfeed but we chose to formula feed. DH was giving her the first bottle when I was wheeled in about 35-45 minutes after birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501984 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 14:33:49 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2501984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine was unplanned, but within the hour I was holding and breastfeeding-once I was wheeled into recovery. It potentially could have been sooner, but I started throwing up and had the shakes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501955 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 14:13:41 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2501955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two very different experiences with my two sons. One was an emergency C-section, and one was planned. The planned one went so smoothly. I was holding and nursing within an hour while I was in recovery. I think it took that long only because I also had a tubal ligation while they were in there...so that took a few extra minutes.</p> <p>While I was getting my additional surgery, DH had skin to skin with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501873 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:20:54 +0000 LuLu Mom 2501873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say within 30 minutes with DD2 (DD1 had to go immediately to NICU so I didn't see her while in recovery.) But DD2 they did the tests on her while stitching me up and gave her to me and we nursed while in recovery. I believe DH carried her (I'm foggy on it all with the drugs) but I held her the whole time doing skin to skin and she latched right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501730 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:47:54 +0000 Happygal 2501730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a planned c-section since she was breech. Once they cleaned her off and took her stats, I held her for the entire time they were putting me back together. I nursed her after I had been in the recovery room and she was somewhere else (drugs were kicking in and this part is a little foggy).....but basically, I nursed her within the first hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501719 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:44:39 +0000 Mamag511 2501719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got to hold her and breastfeed about 45 minutes after my cs. They put her next to me in the operating room, but I was really shaky so I wasn't able to hold her. DH held her within the first 5-10 minutes of her bring born though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501657 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:08:11 +0000 artsyfartsy 2501657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I held him about 45 minutes after he was born<br /> Breastfed him immediately at that point </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501654 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:07:37 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2501654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was an emergency and I got to hold her while they sewed me up, really DH holding her by my face.</p> <p>My second two were planned and I was able to nurse in the OR. Once they left my body they were only out of my arms for weight/apgar checks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501558 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:25:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2501558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you taken a look at this: </p> <p><a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/09/390977656/the-gentle-cesarean-more-like-a-birth-than-an-operation" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/09/390977656/the-gentle-cesarean-more-like-a-birth-than-an-operation</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501551 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:23:16 +0000 erinbaderin 2501551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just had a c section on Tuesday. I got to hold him pretty much right away - the midwife wrapped him up, weighed him, and then put him on my chest and I held him while they closed everything up. After that my husband took him for about 5 minutes while they finished everything up and transferred me to recovery, and then I nursed him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501507 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:02:36 +0000 LulaBee 2501507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also had skin to skin right after they wiped/weighed her, and was able to nurse both my daughters (2 C-sections) in the recovery room, probably 45 minutes after birth? I think the important thing is to talk to your OB and make sure they know your wishes... more and more hospitals are becoming more "baby friendly". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501504 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:00:59 +0000 lovehoneybee 2501504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was able to hold her for a minute or two immediately after birth (while I was being stitched up), and do skin to skin and nurse in the recovery room (within 15 minutes of her being born). She latched right away, and we've had no problems nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501493 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:56:24 +0000 Alba4 2501493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. Your experiences help minimize some of my surgery anxiety! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501485 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:53:26 +0000 JerricaBenton 2501485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Exact same as @Pirouette: skin to skin immediately then breastfeeding in the recovery room within 30 minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501470 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:44:32 +0000 Pirouette 2501470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did skin to skin immediately and she latched right when we got to the recovery room within 20-30 min of delivery. There was absolutely zero interruption on account of the c section and we bonded at once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501465 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:41:01 +0000 MK0180 2501465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got to hold him almost immediately - while they were stitching me up, the nurse placed him on my chest/neck (a little hard since I was covered from my chest down). I think DH held him while we went to recovery. While I was in the recovery room the nurses helped me to breastfeed and it was successful. I would say less than hour after he was born was I able to BF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501464 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:39:44 +0000 jh524 2501464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: I held baby in recovery otherwise daddy had him.<br /> I do not remember exactly how soon he latched and bf but I know it wasn't very long :) I remember the nurses helping me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501444 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:27:24 +0000 yoursilverlining 2501444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got to hold LO pretty much immediately after she was born. Our hospital promotes skin to skin for all babies (including c-sections) right after birth. </p> <p>I was able to try BF her soon after birth. Exact time is hard to say now, but they stitched me up and wheeled me (holding LO) into our private room for “golden hour” time with just me, LO and DH where I was able to attempt BF. So, not long after birth - - and I’m sure they would have supported me attempting BF while being stitched up if I could have done so laying down; I didn’t have any interest in doing so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501443 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:24:45 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2501443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: They took her to get cleaned off and weighed and to make sure she was breathing normally, and then I got to hold her, so probably less than 5 minutes after she was born. I actually handed her off to my husband because I was still flat on my back and the only place they could really put her was practically on my neck and it made me feel so claustrophobic. He held her right next to me so I could touch her little face and talk to her.</p> <p>I nursed when they took me into recovery, which was maybe 20-30 minutes after she was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501429 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:16:59 +0000 gingerbebe 2501429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to say 30-40 minutes? They had a hard time getting me to stop bleeding though. DS was born, they weighed and measured him and wiped him off, he was swaddles and put into my husbands arms within 5 minutes, he and a nurse brought him to me to where they held him against me while I said hi for a few minutes and then DH had him the entire time I was getting stitched up. As soon as I was in recovery DH handed him to me and he was helped to my breast by a nurse. I thought they handled it well. </p> <p>Btw I had a complete previa that moved 12cm out of the way by 28 weeks! My CSection was an emergency after a spontaneous water break and 36 hour failed induction. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501425 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:15:39 +0000 sharpie 2501425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got to "hold" him immediately, really DH was holding him but he was all snuggled up next to me for a good 4-5 minutes.</p> <p>I got to nurse as soon as I got into recovery, which was probably 45 minutes later? I know it took my OB longer to stitch me up than she originally estimated, so it could have been less time under different circumstances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501413 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:09:08 +0000 bloved 2501413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to say it was about an hour after birth. They took him away well I got stitched up and then I was in the recovery room for a few minutes before my husband came back with the baby. As soon as they came back I was able to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/c-section-mamas-how-quickly-were-you-able-to-hold-your-baby-and-attempt-to-breastfeed#post-2501409 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:04:48 +0000 Alba4 2501409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a good chance I can expect a c-section due to a complete placenta previa. There is still time for it to move, as I'm only 26 weeks along, but I want to mentally prepare for surgery. </p> <p>I had a med-free vaginal birth with my first son and within minutes they put him to my breast to nurse. My question for those who had c-sections is how long was it before you got to:<br /> A. Hold your new baby?<br /> B. Nurse your baby?</p> <p>Thanks! </p>