1 - I had c-sects so no help there... But I can say that with my elective sections it was possible for me to have my baby on the breast within an hour, and baby lead attachment is possible and still pretty amazing at that point.

2 - Not be afraid to admit that you need help with things, and to seek help where you can, like with breastfeeding and the baby, that it is OK to bug the nurses and midwives in hospital. Pepper them with questions, and seek help when you can. But to also realise that sometimes their advice is not the be all and end all, and to ask the nurse on the next shift for a different perspective if you feel uncomfortable with the way things are going.