Newborn classes?

stillwaiting12 · May 2011

It's a little early, but I would like to start researching a newborn care class. DH is absolutely terrified of tiny babies and has never in his life changed a diaper. I would like to find a class that will make him a little more comfortable in caring for a baby. I am not really interested in a childbirth class. I have been in the delivery room for 5 births so I feel like I at least know enough to get me thru. The only other class I am interested in is a CPR class. Suggestions?

gandcnky · May 2011

I don't have recommendations on newborn care classes (I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for or not), but if you're considering BFing, that might be a class worth taking. With my first pregnancy, I took a BF class (my husband came with me, too), and it was beneficial, in my opinion. It helped me know what to expect, and it also informed my DH so he could be more supportive when things came up.

JLPT830 · May 2011

You will be at Mercy Anderson, correct? When I had DS they had an infant care class and a CPR class in addition to the BF class and childbirth class. We did not do the infant care class, but I think it would be exactly what you are looking for. I bet if you call Mercy's customer service # they can help you out....513-95-MERCY. Or call the OB office.....I thought there was info in the folder they first give you about Mercy's L&D unit.

stillwaiting12 · May 2011

Oh yes, forgot about the BF'ing class. I want to take that one too! This will be like taking a college course on how to be a parent, how lame are we?

Moesten · May 2011

The nurses and the hospital offered a newborn care class on the mother-baby ward. (I delivered at Good Sam but I imagine most hospitals offer something similar). We learned most of what we needed from our nurses.

As far as the BFing class - we took one (at BNorth) I didn't find it terribly helpful. This was one of those things again that I found experience and the hands on assistance of the Lactation Consultant to be the most educational pieces. I learned more from the LC than I learned in class, from books or the internet combined. So even if you aren't having any trouble BF'ing in the beginning, schedule a consult with the LC.

Moesten · May 2011

I didn't mean to sound negative about all the classes. It's late and I have been fighting with someone on another site so I am not sure how I am coming across. I would have liked a good thorough newborn class. Hell, I would still like a good thorough toddler class

little-peanut · May 2011

Moesten:

The nurses and the hospital offered a newborn care class on the mother-baby ward. (I delivered at Good Sam but I imagine most hospitals offer something similar). We learned most of what we needed from our nurses.

As far as the BFing class - we took one (at BNorth) I didn't find it terribly helpful. This was one of those things again that I found experience and the hands on assistance of the Lactation Consultant to be the most educational pieces. I learned more from the LC than I learned in class, from books or the internet combined. So even if you aren't having any trouble BF'ing in the beginning, schedule a consult with the LC.

I agree about the BFing class. I also took one at BNorth and I wasn't too impressed either. I actually never saw a LC consultant, but found the nurses in the hospital to be sooo helpful!

I never took an infant care class, but know that most hospitals offer them. I think that would have been beneficial to my DH since he was pretty clueless when we got home with DS!

mag2point0 · May 2011

I took the BF'ing class at Christ helpful and found it to be very helpful. I believe the LC that taught was named Megan and she also taught the newborn care class. Her sister is also an LC and I saw her after I had DD. I agree that I didn't remember all of the details in the blur following childbirth, but I had a better idea of what I was supposed to do.

When DD was born, there were quite a few babies just born and the LC's were pretty busy. I was doing ok, but had just a bit of pain. I showed the LC how she was latching and she showed me how to adjust. Having taken the class, I remembered exactly what she was talking about and changed how she was latching without a problem. I'm so glad I took the class. I think there is a BF handbook on Christ's L&D website that you can download if you're just looking for information.

stillwaiting12 · May 2011

Thanks for all the info and opinions on the classes you have taken. I will look in to what Anderson offers and go from there. If I don't think they will be what I am looking for I may look in to other hospitals.

sistrkate · May 2011

Mercy offers a whole suite of classes, and DH and I took them all when I was expecting for the first time. I wasn't sure I was going to get as much out of them as I did, and primarily scheduled them for his benefit since he was an only child and had never been around babies/small kids. Having said that, I'm really glad we took them together.

We took the Baby Basics, Infant CPR, Breastfeeding, and Childbirth series.

Baby Basics was kind of basic for me since I have several nieces and nephews, but I do think it really put DH more at ease. Good class.

Infant CPR was a valuable class and thankfully, I never had to use anything I learned in the class. If I had to choose not to take one again, it would be this one.

Breastfeeding was a good class. As the mom, I agree with Moesten that I got more insight and benefit out of working with an LC, but it was invaluable to have my DH go to this class with me. I would have failed miserably at BF had it not been for his support, and I credit this class and the LCs on staff that teach it. Great class.

The childbirth series was just OK. We went to the weekly series for 4 weeks. Again, I thought it was more helpful for DH than for me, and he learned a lot in the class to help me through 21 hours of labor with Justin.

Here's some links:

Baby Basics and Infant CPR

Breastfeeding Basics

Childbirth Series

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