Mom's/Mom's to be Re: classes

Emmy323

What classes did you take/are you planning on taking?

I called to register for a Prepared Childbirth class today and the lady recommended several others to me including breastfeeding, infant care, and first aid. I know it's always good to be prepared, but I'm not sure if some are more valuable than others.

Thinking of all the things I need to do in the next few months is a little overwhelming!

 Thanks!

 

GBL77

I suggest taking Breastfeeding, if you plan on breastfeeding, it was SUPER helpful to me.  We also took The Happiest Baby On the Block, which I loved and I found super helpful for the first few week. 

Christina617

We took a childbirth class and I took a breastfeeding class.  I'm really glad that we took both.  While I didn't learn too much new info from either class,  DH did during the childbirth classes.  I think we're already a pretty good team but he feels more confident in how to support me through L&D and recovery.  The breastfeeding class wasn't a lot of new info either but I am so glad that I went to it.  I met the LC there and feel comfortable with her.  I already feel like she's going to be a great support when I'm learning to BF.

There was a baby care basics class offered but we decided not to take it.  I've heard that the nurses at the hospital show you the same things taught in the class.  We've been around newborns so it's not brand new info, but will be different when it's us on our own taking care of our baby.  We know the basics and will learn as we go.  Also, MIL buys us little 'baby related gifts' each month and she gave us a DVD with baby care basics info on it.  You're more than welcome to borrow it if you want to.

I'm interested in taking an infant/child CPR class at some point.  I've taken one before but a refresher wouldn't be a bad idea.

banbear2

We signed up for the prepared childbirth class.  I thought about the infant care, but I've pretty much taken care of my nieces since they were born so I think I'm prepared.  Plus the childbirth class is already 2 nights a week and I didn't want to overload dh!

ntnylizard

We're taking a series of five childbirth classes through Hershey Med, but we're not sure which classes we'll be "assigned" to yet.  We're participating in a research study where they'll assign us to either the control group (current classes) or enhanced classes.  Either way, they pay us for participation and we get a free breastfeeding class as an added bonus.

Although it's more time, I'm kind of hoping to be assigned to the enhanced classes.  I'll take whatever info I can get!

PAAZwife

We took a prepared childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care class.  I'd highly recommend taking a BFing class as I think it was extremely helpful for both myself and DH.  I wouldn't have needed the infant care class.  We were ready to leave part way through ours, but I just couldn't walk out for fear of missing something that would be covered later.  I wish I would have!

summerbridesara

We took:

Happiest Baby on the Block - worthless to us - Sophia didn't respond to the techniques we learned there.  We did use the CD that came along with the class (the rain fall track).

Baby Care Basics:  helpful to DH who had hardly been around babies before Sophia.  To me, it was all stuff I knew already.

Breastfeeding Basics:  the book I got at this class was helpful to reference.  The class itself was also helpful.

Prepared Childbirth:  was helpful.  We didn't use many of the techniques taught except the walking and breathing ones.  It was nice to tour the hospital though.  It helped to know what to expect in that aspect.

Good luck!

Emmy323

Thanks ladies! Your answers were very helpful. I'm definitely more motivated to sign up for more classes! I talked with a friend of mine who had her baby in Reading and said her Childbirth class was a waste of time...it doesn't sound like you've had those experiences!