Will getting an epidural make breastfeeding more difficult?

Question

I just read an article that found that there is a more percentage of women who did not recieve an epidural who breastfeed and continue to do so for at least 6 months in comparison to those women who recieved an epidural and they didn't breastfeed or had more difficulty doing so and stopped after the first week.

Answer 1

My guess is that having an epidural doesn't make breast feeding more difficult but that the corilation between the two is that a larger percentage of women who opt for a natural childbirth also plan on doing the "natural" thing and breastfeeding their child vs. women who opt to go for the painkillers?

Answer 2

I gave birth to my son about 7 months ago. I tried to go au natural because the class drilled it into my head that the baby wouldn't latch on if I had an epidural. I just couldn't hang. At that point I thought "hey, if they have it, why suffer." :) I had absolutely no problems. I feed him right after he was born. All I have to say is do what is right for you. If you feel that you need the epidural, get one. You can ask the nurse not to give the baby any formula too. Breastfeeding does take patience though. I always knew that I wanted to breastfeed, but no one every told me the amount of time it would consume....especially when he was a newborn.

Answer 3

It sounds like there is a correlation between the two things (epidural and not breastfeeding) rather than a causative relationship. In this kind of situation, the researchers probably didn't find that "getting an epidural makes it harder to breastfeed," they found that the two things occur together more often than would be likely due to chance alone.

Answer 4

Where did you read this article? I have heard of no such evidence. Why would getting an epidural affect a woman's ability or interest in breastfeeding? I had epidurals with both of my children, and breastfed both until they were each 13 months old. The only reason I can think of that there would possibly be a link of the two things is that they consider women who have epidurals to have a lower pain tolerance, and so perhaps they are linking that to breastfeeding success because women who have low tolerances may find breastfeeding painful?!? Not really sure... but in my case, not an issue. To me, they were completely unrelated incidents in which one did not effect the other.

Answer 5

A 2006 study by the International Breastfeeding Journal concluded that mothers who received an epidural were more likely to experience problems breastfeeding during the first few days after delivery, possibly caused by the fentanyl component of epidurals.Are you talking about this thing?Fentanyl is just a kind of substance like Heroin.Which is a main ingredients of epidural but that's in scientific method,so the labor pain doesnot cause.There is not a such STOP sign behind it,Medical practitioner use it frequently on patient and they checked the possible side effect.Is a more potent pure drug.It was just an experimental results in a clinical drive.You don't have to worry about it.You are bolder than you think! Approve of yourself!

Answer 6

I had an epidural with my son and breastfed him with no problem until he was 1yr old.
I had an epidural with my daughter and am doing well with it so far (she's only 5 weeks) but plan on doing it for a year as well. Most of those studies are a crock anyway...I see no correlation between a 1 time pain medication and how long a woman chooses to breastfeed her child.

Answer 7

I had an epidural prior to both of my boys' births, AND I breastfed both of them...the first one for 6 months, the second one for a whole year. After the births of both boys, I started breastfeeding them at the hospital I don't think having the epidural made any difference at all. Breastfeeding IS PAINFUL at first. But you have to know how to do it properly, and it gets better and easier as time passes. It's definitely healthier for the baby. I recommend you get this book ($10 or less on Amazon.com) called Working Mother, Nursing Mother. I've given it as a gift five times to new moms who are breastfeeding and they can't thank me enough. It really helped them to breastfeed properly, and continue to do it. Good luck to you and your little one!!!

Answer 8

I had an epidural and had no problems with the breastfeeding other than a bit of engorgement when my milk came in which is normal and not related to an epidural. To start out the nursing relationship on the right foot, you gotta nurse that little baby as soon as possible after birth and as often as possible when still in the hospital. The more the baby suckles the more your milk will come in....Good luck!

Answer 9

I had an epidural and I was in labour for over 24 hours. I haven't stopped breastfeeding and my son is now 10 weeks.

Breastfeeding will only stop if the mother gives up on it. My nipples bled, stung..most people give up at that point but it all goes away when baby latches on properly.

You can't solely base your birthing method on an article. Labour is more intense that most women expect and sometimes you just need relief.

Never give up on breastfeeding! It's the best for your baby and it helps with the bonding and dealing with the post-partum depression. Don't let anyone try to talk you into formula.. unless you really want to of course.

Good luck!

Answer 10

i had 3 epidurals throughout my whole labor then ended up getting a spinal tap for the csection and my son wouldnt lach on to my nipples but lots and lots of women get epidurals and are easily able to breastfeed there baby right away so it all depends on the baby if they want to or not good luck and congrats, i also stopped pumping my breast after 2 weeks of trying