How to sleep after a C-Section
New moms that just had a c-section delivery are not only in a lot of pain but are incredibly exhausted!
The first few weeks after having a baby is tough. All we want to do is close our eyes after we give birth but it’s almost impossible! Sleeping after a c-section delivery shouldn’t be that hard!
At least, that’s what you would think, right? I mean my gosh, pregnant women have enough to deal with, and now this!
The problem is, most new moms have the hardest time finding the best sleeping positions after their c-section. This is because their abdominal muscles are not ready to work as they normally would and everything down below is just not normal and put back together yet!
What can a new mom do then?
Here are the best sleeping positions after a c-section for moms to get the rest they need without feeling uncomfortable.
These sleeping tips after a cesarean delivery come from a mom that’s had 4 cesarean sections, and tried sleeping in many different positions, so take my advice ladies! You will find a comfortable position after reading this post!
This post is all about the best sleeping positions after a c-section.
Trouble Sleeping After a C-Section
If this is your first c-section delivery, then you are probably shocked by how difficult it can be to sleep after your c-section, I know I was.
Your body is still recovering from major abdominal surgery and your incision site needs time to heal, so moving around like you did before you had your baby, isn’t an option those first postpartum weeks.
From my personal experience, I had the hardest time sleeping after my first c-section delivery, than the ones after that.
C-section deliveries are one of the only major surgeries where a patient is expected to stand up six hours later and take responsibility for another tiny little person!
Unfortunately, there isn’t much time to rest and we are expected to nurse our babies as soon as possible while having trouble sitting up in bed. Needless to say, having trouble sleeping after a c-section is very common!
Here are some recommended sleeping positions that worked for me and many other c-section moms I know!
Recommended sleeping positions after c-section
1. Try your back first!
It is recommended to sleep on your back after a c-section delivery. Sleeping on your back places the least amount of pressure on your incision and stomach muscles. You may want to place a pillow under your knees for extra support.
The only issue with sleeping on your back is how hard it is to try and get out of your bed!
You MUST move your legs very slowly to the side first which will help you push up the rest of your body to a sitting position and then stand up.
This will take some practice, so be patient with yourself and you will need support from your significant other or a family member the first few days.
This tip below is crucial to get some rest:
2. Sleep on your back at an incline!
If you are going to sleep on your back, then sleeping on an incline is a MUST! I honestly could not lay down completely flat for two reasons:
- I was nursing my baby nonstop and needed to sit up
- I wasn’t able to get up by myself when my husband wasn’t home and I was taking care of both toddler and newborn alone!
One thing I will absolutely recommend that I HAD to have was an incline sleeping pillow below, otherwise known as, the c-section pillow.
This first gray one below is the kind I used and prefer, it helped me hold my baby a little better and sit up much easier. However, some like the wedge style at the bottom.
Click the photos below for more information:
Here is a wedge incline pillow:
3. Side Sleeping
I will warn you, I’m a side sleeper, and sleeping on my side after my first c-section was impossible!
This upset me so much because it was how I’ve slept for 30 years of my life and then all of a sudden when I needed the most sleep, I couldn’t get it the way I normally did!
It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t had a c-section but I literally could not turn my body over to my side. This position was physically impossible after my first c-section.
However, after my second cesarean, I was able to sleep on my side much quicker. My stomach muscles somehow became more adjusted to everything. I also believe because I didn’t go into labor and had a scheduled c-section, my recovery wasn’t as difficult as my first delivery.
So, if you are able to sleep on your side, my health care provider suggested sleeping on my left side, instead of my right side. Sleeping on your left side helps aid in digestion and gives optimal blood flow. (source)
How soon can you sleep on your side after a c-section?
Like I said above, if you are able to sleep on your side, your doctor will give you the go-ahead. However, if your stomach muscles aren’t quite ready yet, I would give it about two weeks until your body can adjust to side-sleeping again.
Two weeks may sound like a long time for us side-sleepers, but trust me, it will go by quickly. Taking short walks every day and getting your stomach muscles strong again will help you lay on your side soon enough!
A great pillow for side-sleepers is a pregnancy pillow. So, don’t put that pillow away if you still have it!
Here is a great one below:
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4. Sleeping in an upright position
Sleeping in an upright position may sound strange but it is another option that works great for moms that are dealing with a lot of pain.
Some women find sleeping in a recliner, rocking chair, or glider is the easiest way to get the most sleep their first few weeks after a c-section.
The reason a recliner is great is that it’s a lot like a hospital bed where you can easily sit up when you need to and lean back when you want without straining your abdomen.
A lot of moms find that it’s also easier to breastfeed their baby sitting up. If you don’t have a recliner at home, you can invest in this pillow mentioned above and add some more pillows to your liking.
This is an example of a good reclining chair that has a power lift for c-section mamas:
Here is a nice glider for baby’s nursery that mom can easily get in and out of and breastfeed baby after a c-section as well:
More Tips On Sleeping After A C-Section
If you do decide to sleep in a bed after a c-section, there are a few tips to help you take care of your baby that you should know.
Make sure to either get a co-sleeper that’s easy to shift baby over to you without straining your stomach muscles.
I loved this one below because it doubled as a pack-n-play and my babies were able to use it up to 3 years old! Huge savings in space and money!
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Another option for co-sleeping babies is a Doc-A-Tot or a baby lounger.
This works well for mamas that choose to keep their babies next to them at all times. These co-sleepers keep them safe and protected from any parents rolling over on them.
C-section moms don’t have to get out of bed and pick up their babies with one of these. They still need to be picked up but they are much closer to their mama and makes their recovery process a bit smoother.
Comfortable Breastfeeding Position After C-section
I also felt that it was much easier to breastfeed my baby on the side because I was able to lay down with them.
Breastfeeding after a c-section is no joke and is a much different situation than after a vaginal delivery since it may be hard to lift your baby.
For help with latching and breastfeeding your baby after a c-section, click here.
The best tip I can give any new mom is to make sure they have a nursing pillow. This will not only help you breastfeed your baby, but it will cover your c-section scar and protect you from little baby kicks while feeding them!
Trust me, they will eventually kick, and as cute as it is, it will hurt after a c-section!
The more pillows around you, the better!
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Click here to find out how a postpartum belly wrap helped protect my c-section scar and help shrink my uterus fast after all 4 c-sections!
Pain Medication After C-Section
One of the best ways to get good quality sleep after a cesarean section is to make sure you take your pain medication. If you don’t set a timer for your pain medication, the pain will come back and hit you hard and it may be at night.
This can make sleeping even more difficult.
Motrin or Advil worked best for me, the gel caps were the fastest and I took them every 5-6 hours.
If you’re interested in a more natural option and don’t feel comfortable taking ibuprofen, Arnicare works great too!
Sleeping Positions To Avoid After A C-Section
Mothers often ask, “what sleeping positions should I avoid after a cesarean section?”
If you are a stomach sleeper, then this is something you’ll want to avoid. Your incision needs time to heal and rubbing anything against it or placing pressure on it is not recommended.
To be honest, you probably won’t want to sleep on your belly just yet anyway, so this shouldn’t be too much of a worry the first few weeks postpartum.
For more information on what to do and NOT do after a c-section, click here or the photo below!
Final Thoughts On How To Sleep Comfortably After a C-Section
I hope these sleeping positions help many new mothers that are recovering from their c-sections get better sleep!
We are told so much information before we are discharged at the hospital and can’t always remember everything our doctors tell us. Then, once we get home, we have so many questions and end up googling everything! I
hope this helps answer some questions moms have about sleeping after a c-section and you find the best way to sleep during your recovery.
What to read next…
- How I Recovered Fast After 4 C-Section Deliveries
- How To lose The C-Section Belly Pooch
- A Detailed Week-By-Week C-Section Recovery Timeline (find out when you’ll feel normal again!)
- 20 Do’s and Don’ts New Moms Need To Know After Their C-Section
- Best Postpartum Belly Wrap After A C-Section
- Best Clothes To Wear After A C-Section
This post is all about the best sleeping positions after a c-section.