- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
D.C. Area Babies
kastle
member
NoVA BF'ing class?
kastle
member
Do these exist? Especially in Arlington/NoVA?
I'm not the type of person that's really going to absorb everything from a book, so I'd rather take a class.
Also, are there parenting classes? My husband is totally nervous (not sure he's ever changed a diaper) and keeps saying he wants to take a class that'll "teach him how to hold the baby." I think a class would give him a lot of confidence (he wants so badly to be a good dad!) and would be a good refresher for me.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: NoVA BF'ing class?
Usually hospitals offer these. Not sure where you are planning to deliver - but here is a link to Inova's classes - https://www.inova.org/health-info-and-classes/classes/childbirth-education/index.jsp
If you are going to a different hospital, just check their web page.
Also - there is a group of lactation consultants in Fairfax - https://www.northernvirginialactation.com/ - they offer breastfeeding classes - plus, you would get to know a lactation consultant - a lot of people on here have emphasized having an appointment w/a lactation consultant is really helpful once you have the baby.
There is also the Breastfeeding Center for Washington - their classes are free - https://www.breastfeedingcenter.org/
Plus, netflix has a bunch of videos. We rented The Happiest Baby on the Block - since it is a lot easier for my DH - who is in grad. school to watch a video - than to devote time to reading the entire book.
Hope that helps!
Thanks! I'm delivering at VHC & it looks like they have BF'ing support groups, but not a class. They also have infant care classes, but they are kind of rare & all booked up until 2 wks before I'm due.
Do you happen to know if I can take classes at Inova even if I'm not delivering there?
I would think you would be able to. I'm signed up for a class there - and they gave me this phone number for any questions/need to switch classes/etc. - you could call and confirm -
Our representatives are here to assist you by phone Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To register for programs and classes or for a referral to one of our world-class physicians, call (703) 750-8800.
I am sure you can sign up for classes at Alexandria or Fairfax even if you are not delivering there.
We did not end up taking any classes because we found out at our hospital tour (not at VHC) that they did BFing classes and infant care as part of our post-partum time. It was nice to have the one on one from the nurses (especially since I had never changed a diaper before).
I do recommend taking Infant CPR and First Aid too.
We did bfing, baby care, and infant first aid and cpr at Inova Fair Oaks. The baby care class was great, lots of people (moms and dads) had never changed a diaper. They went through a ton of stuff like giving baths, swaddling, diapers, etc. Plus they gave good handouts to have at home. We literally followed the bath instruction guide step by step the first time!
I know VHC and Fairfax offer a ton of classes. And yes, you can take them at a hospital you're not delivering at. I took a childbirth class at a difference hospital. I believe VHC offers a baby basics course- how to hold baby, how to diaper baby, how to bathe baby etc.
I took a (free) BFing class at The Breastfeeding Center in DC. While the class was thorough, I really don't know how helpful it was. Unless BFing is easy for you, I think you really need to have the baby w/you to understand how to BF, especially since every baby is going to latch differently. That's just my 2 cents.
After my son was born, I met w/an LC at NOVA Lactation Consultants. That was some of the best money I've ever spent and I highly recommend meeting w/an LC or going to BFing support group classes once you have the baby.
You're delivering at VHC? I am too. I was going to suggest there because I saw classes when signing up for the birth class. I swear I saw a BF'ing class, but I haven't looked recently. After reading some comments the other day about postpartum care and the LCs at VHC, I'm definitely interested in looking for a class.
Maybe I missed them...I couldn't figure out how to just find the schedule for, say, all the hospital tours. So, I was scanning the classes for every month.
I'm thinking maybe I might investigate some of the lactation consultant groups mentioned above (thanks ladies!). I guess it does make sense to have the baby THERE.