Which perinatal factor is associated with higher difficulty in initiating breastfeeding?

C-section delivery is associated with higher difficulty in initiating breastfeeding due to several physiological and practical reasons.

During a cesarean section, the mother may experience more significant recovery challenges compared to vaginal births. This can impact her ability to position the baby for breastfeeding effectively and establish a successful latch. Additionally, the effects of anesthesia and pain management can hinder the mother’s immediate engagement with her infant. The separation often required after a C-section for monitoring can also lead to delays in initiating skin-to-skin contact, which is crucial for stimulating breastfeeding.

Furthermore, babies born via C-section may have difficulties in latching due to less exposure to the hormonal changes that occur during labor, which typically help trigger the infant's natural instinct to breastfeed. These factors contribute to increased difficulties in starting breastfeeding successfully after a C-section delivery.