Classes?

MrsPinkPeony

I have a routine appt today with my doctor and want to make sure I ask her about the classes that are recommended to take before LO arrives.  Are there any specifically required classes?  Any classes that you recommend that may not be required?

 

TIA

DragonflyBelle

Nothing is required, but I highly recommend an overview of childbirth course for FTMs and infant/child CPR and first aid.

AliW220

I doubt any classes are required, but it's a good idea to take some.

I'm signed up for a class through the hospital where I'll deliver. It covers how the body goes through labor, pain managment options (medicine and natural), basic newborn care, newborn and infant CPR.  It's an all day Saturday class. 

I'm also going to sign up for a breastfeeding class that the hospital has. I've read a few books, but it would be nice for my SO to go with and hear about it all too. He won't read any books (he has a 2.5yo son and thinks he knows it all), but since his son wasn't breast fed at all, I feel it's important for him to understand the support that I need to be successful at BF until LO is at least 6mo old.  So that class is really more to get him on board than anything else  

526SadieSadie

100% recommend a first aid/CPR class.  Mouth to mouth and the heimlich manoeuver are completely different for infants and small babies than they are for older people and it's important to know the proper ways to do it.  And the regulations for MTMR change often enough that even if you had certification a few years ago, it's a good idea to get recertified.

My DH has never changed a diaper for given a child of any age a bath ever.  He never baby sat and he's only 4 years older than his younger sister so he was never in charge of watching her by himself.  I'm planning on signing us up for a course on basic child care and stuff like that.

katcarls

I would recommend taking a childbirth class and BF class and take your SO to both.  Most childbirth classes cover newborn care as well so you might not need that as an additional class.  An infant CPR class is good too.

Stategrl522

We are going to take both a Labor and Birth Education class (it runs for five weeks, once a week) and a Breastfeeding Class.  One of my friends who is a nurse said the Labor & Birth Education class says it is a waste of money but I told her, hey I'm not a nurse so I'm not super well versed in what to expect so I am taking the classes;)

We are also planning on taking a class that our hospital offered called Pets & Babies- it is about transitioning your pets to the new baby.

Joie80

I'm signed up for CPR for infants and children, breastfeeding, birthing, and a general get ready for baby course which goes over everything from bonding to play and tummy time.

Girlyontheway

I would recommend the birthing class and definitely the BF class, if you are planning to BF.

I wish that someone would have told me to spend less time reading all of the week by week pregnancy books, and focus on the books about after the child is born and what to do. Especially Breast feeding!

 

mbizbride04

DH and I will be taking a Parenting class, Birthing, CPR, Breastfeeding and a Meet & Greet the Doctors at our hospital.  Its not required, but since my insurance covers it - I'm definitely taking everything that fits with our schedule.  My doc recommended taking classes b/c DH doesn't have much experience with changing diapers and bathing a baby...so hopefully they cover everything!

BOTB2011

We are taking 2 classes possibly 3.

Scheduled for a childbirth class that walks through the birthing process as well as options (natural, water, assisted/medicinal, etc)

The other class we have scheduled is a newborn basics class.

The third that I haven't scheduled and not sure I will would be a bfing class.