Sibling Classes....recommended?

christy1009

I know this is going to vary by location...Have any of you taken the sibling class offered at your hospital?  My son is 3.5 and our sibling class says it starts at age 3. What was your experience?  Would you recommend taking it?

llsarmy

I took my almost 3 year old and my 5 year old. I mostly took them for the sake of my 5 year old but I felt like my almost 3 year old took a lot away from it and got a tour of what it will look like when he comes to see me.

sugar212

I took my 3 year old to the class (she turned 3 the day of the class) and it was a joke. I could have taught her everything we "learned" in the class. There was way too many kids so definitely ask what the max. is before signing up. I didn't like the fact that they were teaching kids that babies use bottles to drink and never once addressed breast feeding. I have taken other classes at our hospital and they have been wonderful. 

lalamakita

We're doing them too, I think they'll be excited. My dd is 6.5 and my DS is 5. Trying to play up the 'big brother' thing for my son, and hope this helps.

mittensonkittens

I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, and we're not planning to do the sibling class. The 2 year old is too young, and I don't think the 4 year old needs to see where I will be beforehand. He won't be scared by the hospital setting, so I don't think it is worth the time. We talk about babies at home.

ladybugpjb

I took my toddler (20m) to ours....and I don't think he got anything out of it. He enjoyed the pirate-themed video, though. Beyond being able to pat my stomach and say "baby sister," he has no idea what's coming.

I would say if your LO understands that there is a baby coming, he'll probably enjoy it.

sonshine0609

I took my three year old to the sibling class at our hospital & LOVED it. DS learned a lot. It seems like the whole concept of a new baby hadn't clicked with him until we went to the class. There were probably about 10 kids in the class. They started the class by watching a silly movie about new babies and basic baby "rules". Each child brought in a baby doll or one was provided for them and they got to practice helping with the new baby. The nurse in charge taught the kids some basic skills like how to hold a baby, how to help feed a baby, burping, diapers changing and swaddling. Some things he got better then others but it was good to see him try. She even had some fabric visual aids that showed how the baby grew inside mommy & how sometimes mommies breastfed. They also gave each of the kids a "doctor's" outfit (scrubs shirt & hat), diaper & disposable bottle to practice with. My boy was so proud of his doctor's outfit he still talks about it & he even practices taking care of baby with his cabbage patch doll.