TYPE OF DELIVERY: RELATION OF MILK LETDOWN TIME, NIPPLE STIMULATION NEED AND MILKED VOLUME.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is an important natural method of bonding, affection, protection and nutrition for the child, effectively contributing to the reduction of infant morbidity and mortality. So, the health professional must understand the sociocultural context and promote strategies to support the establishment of breastfeeding. Objectives: To evaluate the time of milk letdown, the need for nipple stimulation and milked volume in relation to the type of parturition. Methodology: Quantitative approach study conducted in the milking parlor of an university hospital in the interior of Brazil with 327 mothers attended from June 2015 to January 2016. Results: Of the 327 mothers, 55.6% were primiparous and the type of delivery was: 71.2% cesarean section and normal delivery 28.8%. Those who had cesarean section (48.5%) required nipple stimulation more often (X² = 3.5; p = 0.05) than those of normal birth (30.8%). However, the time of milk letdown and milked volume were similar, with no relation to the type of delivery. Conclusion: The data show that, in most women, milk letdown follows the physiology of lactation. The volume milked, and the milk letdown, independent of the type of delivery. However, the need for nipple stimulation was higher in those subjected to caesarean section. It is noteworthy that women undergoing cesarean delivery require greater attention from the health team of primary care in regard to the clinical management of breastfeeding, especially during the initial period.