OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and the benefit of commencing oral feeds within six hours of Caesarean section with the routine practice of commencing oral feeding after the return of bowel sounds. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Hospital, Abuja. POPULATION: All consenting patient who meet the eligibility criteria and undergo an uncomplicated Caesarean section within the study period METHOD: One hundred and twenty eight women who met eligibility criteria and had undergone an uncomplicated Caesarean section were randomized into two groups. STUDY GROUP (n=64) and CONTROL GROUP (n=64). The Study Group was commenced on oral feedings within six hour of surgery, while the Control Group was commenced on oral feeding only after the onset of bowel motion. A data collection tool was used to collect necessary information and record observed findings. These includes the time of onset of bowel sound, number of opiods analgesics given, episodes of nausea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal distention, time taken for patient to ambulate post surgery, patient satisfaction and preferences. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 13 software packages. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gastrointestinal morbidity, bowel motion, degree of pain, post operative ambulation and patient satisfaction and preferences. RESULT: There was minimal incidence of gastrointestinal morbidity in both groups,