Did you take a breastfeeding class?

Jess.O · January 2012

If so, how helpful was it? What was covered? Was it just for you or helpful for DH as well?

We're supposed to go to one on Sunday but something has come up and I can't decide what to do. I've watched videos about it at the office (as well as the ones I show in class to teach about it) but I don't want to miss out if it's something that's going to be really helpful.

TIA!

ACR · January 2012

I did, and it was mildly helpful. Most of all it helped to talk a bit about holds & tricks to get the baby to wake up when eating. It was also a good place to be able to ask the random questions I had (like how do I know how much to feed?)

august8080 · January 2012

Yes, the one at Special Addition. It was very helpful to me and DH. I was able to call Cheryl with a million questions in those first few months.

If you can't take a class, I'd hire her to come to the hospital to see you privately. Hospital LCs can be hit or miss.....

rssnlvr · January 2012

It was covered in our Bradley class. I can say for us, the most helpful thing about it was that DH was there, hearing it all along with me. That way, in those first six weeks when things were ridiculously hard with DD, he was able to be my calm reminder of trying such-and-such and "this is normal" and all that. If he hadn't been so knowledgeable and helpful, I would have felt WAY more isolated and hopeless.

So while it may not be all that great for you since you've shown the video and you know the basics, it might be really helpful for him.

MrsShackleford · January 2012

We did. I am not sure I got much out of it but DH did. He was all into it, drawing diagrams, etc.

OrangeFelt · January 2012

Jess, where did the time go? How are you almost due?

ahhhh!

brooke152 · January 2012

rssnlvr:

It was covered in our Bradley class. I can say for us, the most helpful thing about it was that DH was there, hearing it all along with me. That way, in those first six weeks when things were ridiculously hard with DD, he was able to be my calm reminder of trying such-and-such and "this is normal" and all that. If he hadn't been so knowledgeable and helpful, I would have felt WAY more isolated and hopeless.

So while it may not be all that great for you since you've shown the video and you know the basics, it might be really helpful for him.

This. DH helped me A LOT in those first few weeks and at the hospital. As he once pointed out, it is a lot easier to think clearly when you aren't the one holding the baby. The class was helpful for me, but much more helpful for DH.

ETA - We did Hypnobirthing and it was covered in our class, however we took an additional, separate class at my doctor's office.

Sinafey · January 2012

I didn't and wish I had. There are a dozen reasons why breastfeeding ended up not working for us, but half of them could've been wiped out with a class. If you can't make it to that class you could try to attend a La Leche League meeting.

Emer · January 2012

brooke152:
rssnlvr:

It was covered in our Bradley class. I can say for us, the most helpful thing about it was that DH was there, hearing it all along with me. That way, in those first six weeks when things were ridiculously hard with DD, he was able to be my calm reminder of trying such-and-such and "this is normal" and all that. If he hadn't been so knowledgeable and helpful, I would have felt WAY more isolated and hopeless.

So while it may not be all that great for you since you've shown the video and you know the basics, it might be really helpful for him.

This. DH helped me A LOT in those first few weeks and at the hospital. As he once pointed out, it is a lot easier to think clearly when you aren't the one holding the baby. The class was helpful for me, but much more helpful for DH.

Same here, minus the Bradley part. I thought I was completely prepared, but DH was so helpful when I was tired and worried. He was right there to remind me of different holds and what was expected. I would definitely recommend it.

Jess.O · January 2012

OrangeFelt:
Jess, where did the time go? How are you almost due? ahhhh!

Ahhhh, I know! It's crazy. I can't believe it myself. We had our first birthing class last night and it's just now feeling a little bit real.

ebat · January 2012

I didn't, but just read a bunch and had no problems. But I retain things better if I read them than if someone is telling me about them in a classroom setting anyways.

moniejoy · January 2012

We just did ours this past Saturday at St. D avids N. and it was AWESOME! LC was amazing! Informative and funny. This was the one subject no matter how much research I did, terrified me. I walked out of there ready to grab a random baby and latch that sucker on (pun intended) just to show how confident I am.

The class we took was $25 and worth every penny and more! It was a one time class from 2:30-5pm on a Saturday and it even ran over and no one minded, thats how great the teacher was, we just kept asking questions.

DH was there and he enjoyed it too. I agree it was an eye opener for for both of us but I know when I am sitting on the floor crying with my tit hanging out holding a starving baby, DH will be able to get me back into gear.

mrs.wildman · January 2012

We did and ditto RSSN's sentiment that it was great to have DH there and actually remember things for me. I wasn't planning on going and definitely wasn't planning on taking DH. He offered at the last minute and actually enjoyed it (as much as you can enjoy such a class). We took the one at Se ton SW and the teacher is the lactation consultant there and hilarious and helpful. I highly recommend it.

Mrs.Froggianna · January 2012

MrsRosie:
I didn't, and I don't necessarily wish I had. I saw Cheryl at Special Addition after he was born and that was the most help thing every for BFing.

Ditto. Plus the nurses at my hospital were very, very helpful.

el_twirpo · January 2012

we did through seton. we practiced holds with dolls, and that was helpful for me to physically understand belly-to-belly and all those other pointers. i think it helped DH understand also how to be a good cheerleader for BF'ing.

i wish i had gone to a LLL meeting before we had the baby too. just hearing what other moms were going through would've mentally prepared me for what was ahead.

abh1977 · January 2012

We're in the same birthing class! Was going to say hi to you when it was over, but you appeared to be on the hunt for a bathroom and we were in a hurry. But I will definitely say hi next time, since now I know who you are. Smile

I can't take the one on Sunday either (baby shower!) but there's one south that we're taking...on the 28th I think? I just called Megan and she got me signed up. The next north one is after my due date...and WAY after yours!!!

brideonjuly8 · January 2012

I thought it was pretty helpful. Especially for DH, because I know he wouldn't look anything up on his own.

HSartteach · January 2012

I thought the birthing center really wanted you to take the class. At least, that how it sounds in my centering group. I am taking one in Feb.

Jess.O · January 2012

HSartteach:
I thought the birthing center really wanted you to take the class. At least, that how it sounds in my centering group. I am taking one in Feb.

Yeah, they do. I'm not sure how "mandatory" it is. It looks like it'll be good for us so I'm sure we'll figure out a way to make it work. We had the birthing class last night and so far, I think it's pretty good. (Just FYI)

christym0606 · January 2012

moniejoy:
We just did ours this past Saturday at St. D avids N. and it was AWESOME! LC was amazing! Informative and funny. This was the one subject no matter how much research I did, terrified me. I walked out of there ready to grab a random baby and latch that sucker on (pun intended) just to show how confident I am.

The class we took was $25 and worth every penny and more! It was a one time class from 2:30-5pm on a Saturday and it even ran over and no one minded, thats how great the teacher was, we just kept asking questions.

DH was there and he enjoyed it too. I agree it was an eye opener for for both of us but I know when I am sitting on the floor crying with my tit hanging out holding a starving baby, DH will be able to get me back into gear.

This is the same class we took. Like Monie said, it was very informative and funny. I'm not sure how much stuck with me when it was time to actually BF (in my sleep deprived exhausted emotional state), but it definitely had good info and resources. DH was glad he went to it too.

HSartteach · January 2012

Jess.O:
HSartteach:
I thought the birthing center really wanted you to take the class. At least, that how it sounds in my centering group. I am taking one in Feb.
Yeah, they do. I'm not sure how "mandatory" it is. It looks like it'll be good for us so I'm sure we'll figure out a way to make it work. We had the birthing class last night and so far, I think it's pretty good. (Just FYI)

Yeah, I read your other post about it. I have to take a refresher birthing course. I am waiting to take one in March. It'll just be a one-day class though. Glad you are liking your birthing class. I am guessing you are just doing appts and not a centering class and that's why you are taking the night one.

MrsNole · January 2012

I didn't take a breast feeding class and wish I had.

(the one day "talk" of breast feeding in my Bradley classes was not enough, IMO.)

L L CG · January 2012

I took Cheryl's class. It was ok, but really didn't tell me anything that I hadn't already heard on this board. The good thing about this board is, more than likely, someone on here has experienced your same issue and can help you through it. I guess I liked the class because it gave me a little more visual info on what to expect, but I don't think it was worth it. If you expect that your DH might not understand how much time and energy (emotional and physical) goes into BF'ing, then I might go or get a video to watch with him. Barring that, the ladies at the birthing center and us on the board can help you will regular issues and you can always call Cheryl later.

Jess.O · January 2012

Thanks everyone. This has been really helpful. I really want DH to understand how hard and frustrating it might be so we're going to make it work and go. I'll figure something out but it seems like it'll be helpful. If anything, it can't hurt.

Thanks for the input.

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