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Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗
Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨ Footage shot by Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨

Footage shot by @jessicamicciophoto and beautifully put together by @filmsoflife_co, eternally grateful to you both for bringing this beautiful and priceless film to life!
Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @vi Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @victorinoxnorthamerica Swiss Army Huntsman knife has become my go-to tool for crafting stunning floral arrangements with ease and precision. It's versatile, reliable and always at hand, making it the ultimate gardening and floral companion.

I can’t even count the number of times I use it during my flower truck events — cutting stems, cutting paper, cutting ribbon, screwing loose screws on the 1961 vintage VW frame! The convenience and versatility of this compact knife truly amazes me each time I use it!

With my Swiss Army knife in hand, I'm ready to take on any floral challenge that comes my way. 🌻💐🌷 #myVictorinox #partner 

#SwissArmyKnife #flowertruck #FlowerArrangements #GardeningLife #BloomAndGrow #ToolOfTheTrade #ConvenientTools #FlowerPower #FlowerArrangementsMadeEasy #EfficiencyAtItsFinest
They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower t They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower timelapses!? Which flowers would you want to see next!?

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗
Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨ Footage shot by Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨

Footage shot by @jessicamicciophoto and beautifully put together by @filmsoflife_co, eternally grateful to you both for bringing this beautiful and priceless film to life!
Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @vi Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @victorinoxnorthamerica Swiss Army Huntsman knife has become my go-to tool for crafting stunning floral arrangements with ease and precision. It's versatile, reliable and always at hand, making it the ultimate gardening and floral companion.

I can’t even count the number of times I use it during my flower truck events — cutting stems, cutting paper, cutting ribbon, screwing loose screws on the 1961 vintage VW frame! The convenience and versatility of this compact knife truly amazes me each time I use it!

With my Swiss Army knife in hand, I'm ready to take on any floral challenge that comes my way. 🌻💐🌷 #myVictorinox #partner 

#SwissArmyKnife #flowertruck #FlowerArrangements #GardeningLife #BloomAndGrow #ToolOfTheTrade #ConvenientTools #FlowerPower #FlowerArrangementsMadeEasy #EfficiencyAtItsFinest
They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower t They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower timelapses!? Which flowers would you want to see next!?

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
Never running out of uses for my @victorinoxnortha Never running out of uses for my @victorinoxnorthamerica Huntsman Swiss Army Knife 🌼🌸🌺 As a lover of all things floral, this Swiss Army Knife is my go-to tool for gardening and creating beautiful arrangements 🌿 Whether I’m tending to my flower farm, fixing up my flower truck or crafting a centerpiece for an event, it always does the job 👌🏼 Not to mention, as a busy mom, its versatility comes in clutch on a daily basis! No matter what I’m doing she’s always within reach 💐 #myVictorinox #partner #SwissArmyKnife #FlowerArranging #GardeningLife #MomLife
‘Lotus Love’ tulips coming back to life 🌷 W ‘Lotus Love’ tulips coming back to life 🌷 We’ve been pulling tulips by the truckload daily at the farm, it’s the midst of tulip mania and very hard for me to slow down but this time lapse was calling my name today!

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
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Christine Covino

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Six Tips for Successful Breastfeeding After a C-Section

January 13, 2019 / Mom & Baby

This post may contain affiliate links. Original photography by Michelle Lange.

It is difficult to breastfed to begin with, but even harder after a c-section. Here are 6 tips for successful breastfeeding after a c-section.

Recovering from major abdominal surgery is no joke. Recovering from major surgery while also trying to figure out how to care for a newborn (they don’t come with a manual!?) and navigate the ins and outs of breastfeeding is close to impossible. BUT as mothers we are rockstars and we just DO IT.

That’s not to say that a few tips from someone who has been through it wouldn’t be helpful! Today I am sharing my six tips for Successful Breastfeeding after a C-section, but you can also check out my C-section Recovery Survival Guide post for ALL my tips on general recovery and more of my story!

Six Tips for Successful Breastfeeding After a C-section

Lots of Skin to Skin

And as soon as possible! Though policies vary hospital to hospital, I would definitely ask for skin to skin during suturing. It wasn’t possible for us so I was worried Luca wouldn’t latch because we were separated for 40 minutes after his birth (while they stitched me up). I was overcome with joy though when they finally placed him on my chest he had no problem finding my nipple and latching like a champ. We did this right in the recovery room which was the next best thing! I kept him on my chest almost the entire time we were in the hospital which helped start off our breastfeeding journey just as strong as if he were placed on my chest directly after delivery.

We continued lots of skin to skin at home where I lived in this nursing bra and this super soft robe – all about the easy access!

Use All the Pillows

I actually found that for the first two weeks my nursing pillow plus Luca on top was uncomfortable to lay on my abdomen. So instead, I opted for using a regular bed pillow because it was softer and lighter. I also propped pillows behind my back and at my sides – the more pillows the better! My mom purchased this pillow for me which I used every single time I nursed Luca, whether in our bed or on the couch, for the first three months!

Try Different Nursing Positions

For me to be successful breastfeeding after a c-section, I used the football hold (under-arm hold) with Luca frequently because it positions baby’s body at your side and under your arm instead of across your abdomen. Your incision site will be super sore and, at least for me, I did not want anything going near it, even with all the pillows!

Another position that works for many mamas breastfeeding after a C-section is sidelying. I was not able to do this until about three weeks postpartum but many women swear by it and can do it right away!

Make a Breastfeeding Basket

I nursed Luca sitting in a reclined position in my bed or on the couch for the first few weeks until I could sit up better. Setting up a little nursing station helped so much because all my things were super accessible and I wasn’t constantly getting up, or even reaching very far. I grabbed a cute little basket and kept on my nightstand fully stocked. The basket was also super convenient because I could easily bring all the things with me to whichever room I was nursing in.

This is what I stocked my breastfeeding basket with:

  • SNACKS (allllllll the snacks lol, you will know no hunger like breastfeeding hunger). I liked things like nuts, bars, granola, fruit – snacks you can easily eat with one hand!
  • A giant water bottle or Yeti cup
  • Lanolin for sore and cracked nipples (this one was my favorite because it was the only one that was 100% pure lanolin (which IS completely safe for baby!). Sidenote: I later learned the breastmilk hack – let your breastmilk open-air dry on your nipple to heal sore cracks! It works!! I Have also heard great things about these Silverette cups for healing but I have never personally tried them!
  • Nursing pads for all the leaking – I liked these by Kindred Bravely or these by Lansinoh.
  • Nipple shields (if you need them)
  • Haakaa Pump, also for all the leaking! Read more about how I used this awesome must-have HERE.
  • Burp cloths – we probably went through ten a day!
  • A breastfeeding book – it was nice to have a little reference guide nearby! I suggest these: Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Latch: A Handbook for  Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.
  • I also kept Breathe Mama, Breathe close by and just read a page or two a day, the 5-minute mindfulness exercises helped keep me grounded! And I loved reading bits and pieces of The Fourth Trimester as well.
  • Wipes – We primarily use Water Wipes but my favorite for my nursing basket was a small pack of Boogie Wipes for the “just in case” moments.
  • Lip Balm
  • Hair ties or, my personal favorite, hair clips
  • Pain meds
  • For Baby: Hairbrush, nail clippers, Vitamin D drops, Q-Tips, Gripe Water, Aquaphor, lightweight muslin blanket

Get a Cosleeper

For me, this was a non-negotiable! It was insanely hard for me to get up to lift Luca out of his bassinet for night time feedings (and Alex, though he woke with us, was not all about getting out of bed either). We even had the Halo Bassinest, which has the easy drop-down side, but it was not enough for me.

We decided to use the Snuggleme Organic baby lounger as our cosleeper right in the bed (please note this is NOT recommended by Snuggleme or the AAP). When Luca needed to feed Alex helped me prop myself up with pillows and then handed Luca to me.

Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. As a new mom, you feel like you should be able to do everything. I remember feeling so frustrated those first couple weeks that I couldn’t change Luca’s diaper or hold him for very long unless I was seated, but I could barely stand or walk so I surrendered to the help.

One of the hardest things was picking Luca up for feedings. So, make sure YOU sit yourself down and get comfortable first and then have your partner hand you the baby. It was a nice way to give Alex responsibilities plus he had to wake up with me for Luca’s night feedings!

Remember, you cannot take care of your baby unless you take care of yourself first. Your main priority those first few weeks is feeding your baby and healing your body. Have friends and family bring over home-cooked meals or do some cleaning so you can get the rest you need!

It is difficult to breastfed to begin with, but even harder after a c-section. Here are 6 tips for successful breastfeeding after a c-section.

 

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  1. 8 Things to Know when Preparing to Breastfeed says:
    February 4, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    […] “Six Tips for Successfully Breastfeeding After a C-Section” – Christine Covino […]

    Reply
  2. New Mama Must-Haves - Christine Covino Blog says:
    April 8, 2019 at 4:27 am

    […] If you’re looking for more reading I have two great posts going into more detail on C-section recovery (CLICK HERE) and tips for nursing while recovering from a C-section (CLICK HERE). […]

    Reply
  3. 8 Things to Know When Preparing to Breastfeed says:
    May 29, 2020 at 5:08 am

    […] “Six Tips for Successfully Breastfeeding After a C-Section” – Christine Covino […]

    Reply
  4. How to Survive the First Weeks of Breastfeeding - Christine Covino says:
    November 17, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    […] this post HERE on tips for breastfeeding after a […]

    Reply
  5. Postpartum Must Haves - Christine Covino says:
    December 8, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    […] Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-section […]

    Reply
  6. Must Have Products for the Breastfeeding Mom - Christine Covino says:
    December 8, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    […] Check out these posts: how to survive the first weeks of breastfeeding and tips for successful breastfeeding for cesarean mamas! […]

    Reply
  7. Things No One Tells You About Postpartum - Christine Covino says:
    December 15, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    […] posts as well —Postpartum Must Haves, C-Section Recovery Tips, Breastfeeding Must Haves, Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section, & How to Survive the First Weeks of […]

    Reply

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Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗

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