Breastfeeding after a cesarean section: A literature review

Background: Breast milk is recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months after birth and continued breastfeeding for up to two years. According to the reported literature, breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding rates worldwide are relatively low, especially after a cesarean section (C-section). Therefore, this review aims to summarize existing data on C-section and breastfeeding performance worldwide to interpret their relationship further. Methods: Research articles related to C-section and breastfeeding were retrieved from electronic databases, including CINAHL Complete, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Only full-text English articles reported from 2015 to 2020 are summarized in this review. Results: Among a total of 389 articles identified, 18 papers met our inclusion criteria, which reported that the C-section was associated with the initiation of breastfeeding and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, these studies also discussed factors and experiences related to breastfeeding difficulties in mothers who have a C-section. Besides, several studies investigated effective initiatives that support breastfeeding in mothers who have a C-section. Conclusion: C-section is thought to be related to the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. In comparison with natural childbirth, C-section can delay the start of breastfeeding and shorten the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Moreover, the planned C-section is considered the most critical factor affecting breastfeeding. Also, breastfeeding initiatives are highly recommended to support mothers who have a C-section. According to the literature, different regions and populations may have distinct experiences of breastfeeding. Therefore, future research is required to identify breastfeeding support for diverse populations with higher quality.