Parenting Classes ??

lavina2244

Any FTM & FTD taking any parenting prep classes? If so, which ones? I admittedly know ZERO about babies & am open to taking aaaallll of them but the husband is on the "relax & let instinct take over" side of the street 

AmberLiz99

I never took any, but I would recommend checking your hospital. They usually have a good basic class. 

HeartLikeMine3

I'll be honest I took them all with DS and the only one that was helpful was the breastfeeding class. Everything else was like duh? Or I googled it haha

almostpriceless

I took one with my first and I dont regret it at all. The course I took was part of a package that included infant CPR and was part of a hospital package. 

DeePaddy24

I'm a FTM & we are signed up for a one-day class offered by 2 labour & delivery nurses at our hospital. It will cover pregnancy, labour & basic newborn care. We aren't taking anything more in-depth, though. 

MsBeachNJ

I'm a FTM but I'm not planning on taking any... I think for me, I figure labor is a natural thing and my drs/body will know what to do. If I take a class & get too much information I may freak myself out or be really scared of it. Right now I'm not scared of labor, I'd like to keep it that way.

I would take a breastfeeding class if offered though... though I think they have a lactation consultant meet with me at the hospital so I may just wait till I see her. I have a lot of great resources in my mom/sisters/cousins/friends etc. so again I'm not all that worried. 

Reading this back it sounds as if I'm a bit "ignorance is bliss" but I'm ok with that... 

lavina2244

Thanks... I have signed up for a "basics" one day class free thru Kiaser. They do offer a more extensive 6 night course as well as CPR & Breastfeeding.... Seems like breastfeeding may be very useful as well 

SoEnamored

PLEASE take an infant first aid/CPR class.  My husband and I couldn't have anticipated the frequency of which  we've had to help our choking kids expel something.  Those little Hoovers: picking up everything they can find and eating it, chewing too much food at once, immature ability to chew and swallow. 

RMLandy

I would recommend buying a couple of books and talking with friends/family who have experience over taking a class.

candicek15

We've signed up for three classes: prenatal, breastfeeding, and "bringing baby home." We probably wouldn't have done the last one but it came highly recommended from a friend. I already took a "kids and dogs" workshop when I found out I was pregnant with the baby I miscarried. I didn't like that I experienced some bad stuff that I didn't know to expect when I had the MC so I feel like in my case, knowledge is sanity. Plus I like this sort of thing. Three courses are probably excessive but I'm on bed rest and will take all the outings/entertainment I can get! Plus I hear it's a great way to meet other new parents. My SIL and BIL still hang out with two couples they met in courses like that. 

MsBeachNJ

@SoEnamored thank you - good tip, I am certified in CPR (just in case you were directing that at my "ignorance is bliss" post) 

lynnernon

We've signed up for a few through our hospital, but only one has happened so far.  DH went to a "Daddy Bootcamp" and LOVED it!  Apparantly it's a nationwide program, so if you see it you should take it.  There's a facilitator who is familiar with the program, but the actual class (9am-12 on one Sat for him) was taught by 4 new dads.  The dads had 3-6mo kids and brought them with to the class.  So there were cute babies present, and DH got to see real dads taking care of their kids, while talking about their experiences.  They also sent him home with a book so he has another resource now as well.  They talked about things like the transition to home, what dad's role is, balencing caretaking duties, watching out for signs of ppd in moms, gear the dads liked, etc.

We're also signed up for infant/child CPR (DH is adult certified, and it's been years since I was certified) and a birthing seminar.  I also signed up for a breastfeeding seminar, infant care, and taking care of mom postpartum.  DH will attend if he can make it those evenings.  I'm really excited to get more info, and they're cheap and/or free for us so why not take advantage?  I'd also prefer ignorance is bliss about the actual giving birth part of things, but after 3/19 I won't be able to do that anymore...

Soverthis

We signed up for classes through my clinic. There was an option of a long Saturday class or a series of evening classes. I picked the series of evening classes. The first class was last night. It was a long day! I worked 10 hrs then went to the 3 hr class. It was fun to meet other parents. I am reading tons of pregnancy, labor and parenting books and still learned a lot. I can't wait for the next class. 

meggyme

Signed up for classes through the hospital, but mostly because I won them at the hospital tour. Breastfeeding, child birth prep, and baby care basics.

ETA: we did purchase a child and infant CPR and first aid class, which was helpful.

Stephanier99

FTM. I signed up for the all day baby class at the hospital where I'll be delivering.  I hope they go over baby first aid and cpr.  I will have to into that now.  

cdnrunning

I signed up with my H for the three session baby class. I also signed up for a breastfeeding class and a pumping at work class. My H is going to register for a daddy 411class. We're FTPs in case that wasn't already evident  

BlueJuice

I think we took a basic newborn class, a breastfeeding class, and an infant/child CPR class. The breastfeeding class was mostly review for me, since I already had done a lot of reading, but my husband thought it was interesting, and we both learned things in the other two classes. Honestly they were probably more useful for him than for me, because I read a ton and also babysat and had younger siblings growing up, so a lot of the infant care stuff was a refresher for me, but I didn't find them a waste of time.

HeartLikeMine3

HeartLikeMine3 said:

I'll be honest I took them all with DS and the only one that was helpful was the breastfeeding class. Everything else was like duh? Or I googled it haha

Forgot to mention I am in healthcare so I am always infant and adult CPR certified that is a must for any new parent. So to clarify the general newborn classes are what I was referring to! 

huskypuppy14

My hospital also offers these classes. They have a combined childbirth/infant care class with CPR or you can split them up. We are splitting them up, because 7-8 hours in one day seems like a lot to absorb all that info. I used to babysit as kid, so I've been around babies a lot, but haven't really cared for one in over 15 years. My husband has no experience with babies, other than his little brother when he was 8. I think my husband will get more out of the birthing class than I will. 

We are already signed up for the infant care/cpr class in April, and then just have to figure out when to take the childbirth class. My insurance also reimburses me for these classes, so that's a nice bonus.

The hospital also offers breastfeeding classes and a couple free seminars, like a Q&A with an anesthesiologist. Those are less frequent than the childbirth and infant classes, so I may have to go without H, since we have different work schedules.

I do agree with MsBeachNJ on the ignorance is bliss idea though. I watched a bunch of birthing videos on line this weekend, and after a few I was fine, but I think I watched a couple too many, because then I freaked myself out. I plan to have an epidural anyway, but I think watching those videos cemented that fact.

chesterdoodle

We took a bunch of classes for baby #1 - 2 day general class which included a tour of the hospital, infant safety/cpr, breastfeeding, and hypnobirthing. All were really helpful! Knowledge calms my nerves so i felt better after learning about it all. I was especially nervous about labor/delivery and the general class was great about that part whether natural or csection. 

This time we plan to do a refresher course - im having twins this time so i will have different questions, and my hospital offers a siblings prep course for toddlers so im hoping that will get her excited about her new big sister duties. 

edeibel89

I signed up for 3 classes thru the hospital where I'm delivering. One was for breastfeeding, one is a full day class that includes, childbirth, touring the hospital and bringing baby home, and the last one is basic baby care. I've been around babies, but I've never had to take care of an infant and my husband has almost no experience so we definitely want all the information we can get. I chose the full day class because it focuses less on all the breathing and relaxing stuff and just gives you the information. I've decided that I definitely want an epidural and I'm going to be shooting a living creature out of my hoo ha so I'm either going to be relaxed about it or I'm not so I'd rather just focus on knowing what's coming my way, and how to take care of my little guy once he's here.

arteduc8

DH and I just took a CPR class that included infants and toddlers last night. Highly recommend taking one. We also signed up for a birth class, a breastfeeding class, and a baby basics class through my hospital. Being a teacher, I like learning in group environments over just reading the same info from books or the web. I can ask questions and calm fears/nerves in this type of environment. 

bankssl1

I signed up for a class at the hospital too, it's May 13th so lets hope DS doesn't make an early arrival! I just figured even if I don't learn a whole lot in the class I will at least feel more prepared.. As prepared as I can be at least. But I'm really happy H is going with me because I feel like it will really help him.

michellabanana

I took all the free classes at babies r us plus, the Cpr which was only like 35 dollars.  Later this month we are also taking two classes at the hospital that are free..(my husband is annoyed lol, two Saturdays from 8:30 to 12:30

I don't mind though it, makes me feel totally more comfortable about what is going to happen and also feel more prepared (even if it gives a false sense of security lol)

Hey, if I can take remember one important thing from a baby class, it was worth the hour.  (BF class was super helpful!)

Sydney&Matt

This is our first so DH and I signed up for a twelve week course over the Bradley Method.  It covers everything from nutrition to child birth to parenting and its delivered by a couple with four children already.  

mrsp2213

We're doing a one day childbirth class with a tour of the birth ward, infant/child CPR and a breastfeeding class.  Other than that I'm reading books and the Internet.

mocktailmama04

I'm a FTM so to ease my anxiety, my H and I are taking a childbirth class. It's three weekdays for 2.5 hours. The class includes labor and delivery, lamaze techniques, breastfeeding, and basic newborn care.

lolonvive

I asked this question on a mommas board in my neighborhood, there are so so so many classes offered here and I think we decided on infant CPR and a newborn care class (what to expect the first six weeks, swaddling, bathing, changing, etc.) and passing on the what to expect during labor type classes. There is also a lactation consultant at the hospital I'm delivering at and they give classes during your stay, so you can go to a class and meet with a consultant the day or the next morning after you give birth.

vulpini

I took a breastfeeding class last night.  I signed up because BFing didn't work out with my first and I really want to try to make it happen this time.  I was the only second time mom there and the only one without a partner because my husband stayed home to put our son to bed.  It was somewhat useful but mosly a lot of "breast is best", "milk is liquid gold", "your body is designed to do this, so of course it will work", and "most women won't have any problems", which really stings for somone who had a lot of compounded problems.

The other classes they offer are useless for me.  I would like to do a CPR refresher but they don't have one.

huskypuppy14

vulpini said:

I took a breastfeeding class last night.  I signed up because BFing didn't work out with my first and I really want to try to make it happen this time.  I was the only second time mom there and the only one without a partner because my husband stayed home to put our son to bed.  It was somewhat useful but mosly a lot of "breast is best", "milk is liquid gold", "your body is designed to do this, so of course it will work", and "most women won't have any problems", which really stings for somone who had a lot of compounded problems.

The other classes they offer are useless for me.  I would like to do a CPR refresher but they don't have one.

Wow that sounds horrible. That's not helpful at all. like, no shit that's why I'm at this class.

At my appointment on Tuesday I asked my doctor about the different classes and told her we were taking an infant care class and childbirth class, and did she also recommend a breastfeeding class. She said taking a breastfeeding class before you have a baby to practice with doesn't really help, and my hospital has LC and seminars during your stay. so we are going to skip that prenatal class.