Background Breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth has advantages for mothers who have had cesareans just as it does for mothers who deliver vaginally. The influence that the mode of delivery has on lactation rates is under debate. Aim: To identify the effect of cesarean section delivery on encountered maternal and neonatal breastfeeding problems over the first week after birth through comparison with normal vaginal delivery. Subjects & Methods: A comparative research design was used on 50 cesarean section (CS) women and 50 normal vaginal delivery (NVD) ones in the postnatal ward at the University Maternity Hospital in Tripoli, Libya, An interviewing form was used to collect socio-demographic data and mother's perceptions and misconceptions related to breastfeeding, and an assessment checklist for practices and maternal and fetal complications. Results: About half of both groups were illiterate. Significantly more women in the NVD group thought that colostrums was concentrated breast milk (p=0.002), while more CS women believed it was stale milk (p=0.012). They had lower misconception of toxicity of breastfeeding after anesthesia (p=0.029), and higher misconception of baby need of herbal drink to relieve colic (p=0.001). Mothers of woman were the most common source of information. CS women had significantly more delayed initiation (p |
