NOTE: This post was originally published on Instagram. I am reposting and backdating it here as part of a historical series in order to preserve these meaningful memories and early motherhood thoughts and experiences in a way that is not tied to any social media platform. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time. As we formally shelter in place in NYC, this project brings me happiness and a welcome break from the news. 🖤
A friend recently asked me if I had any advice for her friend who just had her baby by unplanned c-section, much like I did. (See my birth story IG highlights reel for my experience.) Of course, I’ve since thought of more things… but here were my initial immediate thoughts:
One. CONGRATS! Welcome to the world little baby. And mama, you did it!!!
Two. Care for your wound. Just keep it clean and don’t wear underwear – or anything – that will irritate it. Mesh hospital panties for as long as possible. Stock up there because they don’t sell them anywhere. Later graduate to the lace high waist Hanky Panky thong. They are the best and actually feel retro sexy. When you’re ready to feel sexy again.
Three. Don’t worry if the milk comes in late. You can still get a great supply. I’m weaning now at 13 months!! I didn’t think I’d make it to 3. It’s hard and painful at first. But if you want to breastfeed, it gets easier! And then you won’t be able to believe it’s actually hard to end.
Four. As best you can, when the baby cries in the middle of the night, don’t jump up. It will hurt like a bitch at the incision line. Try to get up slow. This gets easier as you get more used to the cries.
Five. Research mastitis if you plan to breastfeed. I hope you never experience it! But it would have been nice to know about before it almost gave me sepsis. (Which could have killed me.) Many moms get mastitis and it’s totally treatable. But if you don’t know, and time passes untreated, it can be dangerous. No need to deal with mastitis when already recovering from something else!
Six. Take all the help when people offer. It takes a village :) but we don’t have live in villages anymore.
Seven. Pull out all your coziest clothes. Nest at home as a new family. Enjoy this time! Document everything! It goes by so quickly. And it’s all so pure and beautiful.
Eight. This will be hard but care for yourself in stolen moments. Can be as simple as taking a bath once your doctor clears you at six weeks. Unplanned surgery is traumatic. Your focus and everyone’s focus is on the baby. But you too need to be loved well and cared for during this time.
Nine. Maternity pants. Wear as long as you can and want! Forever perhaps.
And ten. Be kind to your body. It will feel – and look – foreign for a while, maybe much longer than you thought. Just give it time.
❤️❤️❤️
Originally posted on November 26, 2018
NOTE: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. All photos and content are property of Lauren Cosenza Beauty LLC.
Lauren Cosenza consults for top brands, websites, and magazines and serves as a trusted beauty/fashion/mom expert, a brand ambassador, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a creative director, a published editorial contributor and writer, the creator and owner of DIVAlicious®, the creator and owner of BEAUTYfull®, a product junkie and an insatiable beauty and style seeker — with a former life at Cosmopolitan, Shape and Bustle/BDG brands. She currently runs Señor Lechuga Hot Sauce with her husband and baby boy as the Co-Founder + Head of Brand.