is he already supportive of BF? if so and you are both on the same page i wouldn't force the issue. If its something you really want to do and he's wishywashy or down right against I would get him there to understand your views and why having supportive partners helps in the beginning.
that being said I didn't take a class and never really forced anything on DH but we both said WHATEVER it takes we are willing to do formula was not an option as a primary feeding source and only ok in emergencies or when my stupid pedi wrote an order that DS was not allowed Breastmilk due to his hyper bili
No, the hospital I go to offers them for free during the day and also the Fleet and Family support center on base also offers a free one during the day. It's not something DH should miss work over so I'll be going alone which I'm fine with.
lurking from February... my husband came with me and I'm glad he did. I think all of the women except for one brought their husbands. The instructor specifically told us that our husbands or support person should be there, but it probably varies. I'd check with your instructor and ask what is standard for your particular class. FWIW, my husband has come with me to every class... birth classes and breastfeeding. If your husband is going to be your main source of support and encouragement, I think it's important that he's there.
I am asking mine to go with me. More for the fact that I think another being to absorb information will help...and my pregnancy brain needs all the help it can get!
He did and he should. You need a support person more than ever when you start BF and DH is the one there and helping you. He needs to know how it works, problems that can and do happen and how to help you with them. DH helped me get her latched the first week because it was so hard. Out of over 20 people in the class I went to, only one didn't have a partner and you could tell she was sad about it. It think it is a responsibility of the DH or partner to be supportive and that includes going to this class to help you out. It would be completely unacceptable to me is DH didn't go. The other ones like a childbirth class are helpful but not as necessary IMO as the BF one for him to go to.
The classes here are evenings/weekends, so mine will come along. Just because he isn't the one who will be doing the actual feeding doesn't mean that it might not be useful for him. Besides, it BF ends up being difficult for me I'm going to need his support and so it can only be beneficial for him to learn about it too.
Luckily, he is very gung-ho about all things baby.
I forgot to ask when I was signing up for pre-natal classes if partners could come. I hope so I would love for DH to be there. This is brand new for me, and it can't hurt for him to know about breastfeeding.
I go to La Leche meetings rather than an actual class, but during the last one we discussed lots of parenting things that weren't just BF-related and the leader decided that it would be OK to start bringing male SOs along; before that, they didn't really want the guys to come because some of the members are new moms who are learning to BF (so of course they don't want a bunch of strange men around). The meetings are held at my BC, though, and there are a few rooms where the moms could go to if they need to feed and feel uncomfortable around the guys. I'm actually excited to bring DH because we're first time parents, and at the last meeting the ladies discussed a lot of general first-time parenting stuff that I think he would've benefited from hearing first-hand. I'm also hoping that other male SOs show up at tomorrow's meeting so that he can hear from the dads too, and not just the moms.
Maybe you could call up the instructor and ask her how common it is for husbands to come to the class, and whether she thinks that they would really benefit from attending.
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DH is super supportive- he hasn't missed a single OB visit, and get's mad when I tell him I could go alone. He wants to try being a SAHD, he has TONS of experience with kids and births (he's a good 10 years older than his 4 sibs).He is in this fully 100% BUT there is something about B/F that makes him REALLY uncomfortable.
I signed myself for the hospital b/f class, gave him the option and he says he wants to go (especially since it's just 1 evening) but I told him I will likely take a second one closer to the edd at a birth center/hospital that's a little more lactation focused. He's wary about going to a second one. Maybe because it's a little more hippy/dippy than the lactation clinic on out L/D ward, but I think it's because he doesn't get the fuss. He doesn't really understand that B/F might be the most natural thing for baby, but that doesn't mean I or baby will be any good at it. That we will need help and support and a big old learning curve. I'm hopeful that the first class will help him out, but I suppose the practical exam will get him there if the study sessions don't.
Mine didn't go as he was out of town traveling, but i felt bad being the only mom in class without a spouse!! After LO was born though, i couldn't remember much of what we learned in class, and we visited the lactation consultant a lot since i had issues with supply and latching and DH went to virtually all of those. He was really supportive and trying to help.
DH went with me when I was pg with DS. I think it is a good idea because you are going to need his support in the beginning, and the more he understands about it the better, IMO. In fact, when we were trying to get DS to latch the first day, DH was actually reminding me of things from the BF class to make latching on work. I think it's a good idea for them to go. It's not like there are boobs out in the class or anything.
It's a really good idea for your DH to go. They cover a lot on proper breast milk storage, etc. that doesn't just apply to the nursing/pumping mom. My DH learned a lot and was glad he went.
When I was pregnant with my son my husband went with me to the breastfeeding class. He and I both thought it was important as we knew it could be difficult and I might need his support. I am more of a panicky kind of person so having another person listen to the information and who could remember it when the baby was actually here would have been helpful.
When we got there, he was the only significant other that came. The teacher/nurse whatever decided the other ladies could take a vote about whether or not he could stay. It was so silly, they did a secret ballot and actually voted for him to leave because a lot of women were uncomfortable with a man being in the room. I was really annoyed and my poor husband had to go find something to do while he waited for me (the hospital was an hour from home).
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DH didn't go with me but thats because he had to work. Most women had their partner with them though. He did learn about it some in the regular class though. I don't think its a bad idea for him to go at all because you will need someone's support.
In the beginning I wanted to give up so bad but DH was so supportive and kept pushing me. I was so glad he was there... I know I would have given up without him.
DH went with me when I was pg with DS. I think it is a good idea because you are going to need his support in the beginning, and the more he understands about it the better, IMO. In fact, when we were trying to get DS to latch the first day, DH was actually reminding me of things from the BF class to make latching on work. I think it's a good idea for them to go. It's not like there are boobs out in the class or anything.
Exactly this. I could not remember shiiit from the class about proper latch and whatnot, even though I saw an LC in the hospital 5 times in 2 days. Sleep deprivation and stress are going to make you forget a lot. I never would have made it then or to 14.5 months without him helping me. He would help me remember which side I needed to start on and how to hold her differently to get a better latch, or help open her jaw and position things correctly.
DH and I talked about it, but we agreed that I will go on my own. (I tend to prefer to do things on my own for some reason. Hard-headed I guess...) I have two good friends who I can turn to for help if we have trouble with latching, etc. I also might order a bf book so DH can help me troubleshoot in the middle of the night if something comes up.
Re: will DH go to breastfeeding class?
Make a pregnancy ticker
is he already supportive of BF? if so and you are both on the same page i wouldn't force the issue. If its something you really want to do and he's wishywashy or down right against I would get him there to understand your views and why having supportive partners helps in the beginning.
that being said I didn't take a class and never really forced anything on DH but we both said WHATEVER it takes we are willing to do formula was not an option as a primary feeding source and only ok in emergencies or when my stupid pedi wrote an order that DS was not allowed Breastmilk due to his hyper bili
lurking from February... my husband came with me and I'm glad he did. I think all of the women except for one brought their husbands. The instructor specifically told us that our husbands or support person should be there, but it probably varies.
I'd check with your instructor and ask what is standard for your particular class. FWIW, my husband has come with me to every class... birth classes and breastfeeding. If your husband is going to be your main source of support and encouragement, I think it's important that he's there. 
DS - Born 6/17/12
DS#2 - Due 2/11/15
The classes here are evenings/weekends, so mine will come along. Just because he isn't the one who will be doing the actual feeding doesn't mean that it might not be useful for him. Besides, it BF ends up being difficult for me I'm going to need his support and so it can only be beneficial for him to learn about it too.
Luckily, he is very gung-ho about all things baby.
I go to La Leche meetings rather than an actual class, but during the last one we discussed lots of parenting things that weren't just BF-related and the leader decided that it would be OK to start bringing male SOs along; before that, they didn't really want the guys to come because some of the members are new moms who are learning to BF (so of course they don't want a bunch of strange men around). The meetings are held at my BC, though, and there are a few rooms where the moms could go to if they need to feed and feel uncomfortable around the guys. I'm actually excited to bring DH because we're first time parents, and at the last meeting the ladies discussed a lot of general first-time parenting stuff that I think he would've benefited from hearing first-hand. I'm also hoping that other male SOs show up at tomorrow's meeting so that he can hear from the dads too, and not just the moms.
Maybe you could call up the instructor and ask her how common it is for husbands to come to the class, and whether she thinks that they would really benefit from attending.
DH is super supportive- he hasn't missed a single OB visit, and get's mad when I tell him I could go alone. He wants to try being a SAHD, he has TONS of experience with kids and births (he's a good 10 years older than his 4 sibs).He is in this fully 100% BUT there is something about B/F that makes him REALLY uncomfortable.
I signed myself for the hospital b/f class, gave him the option and he says he wants to go (especially since it's just 1 evening) but I told him I will likely take a second one closer to the edd at a birth center/hospital that's a little more lactation focused. He's wary about going to a second one. Maybe because it's a little more hippy/dippy than the lactation clinic on out L/D ward, but I think it's because he doesn't get the fuss. He doesn't really understand that B/F might be the most natural thing for baby, but that doesn't mean I or baby will be any good at it. That we will need help and support and a big old learning curve. I'm hopeful that the first class will help him out, but I suppose the practical exam will get him there if the study sessions don't.
When I was pregnant with my son my husband went with me to the breastfeeding class. He and I both thought it was important as we knew it could be difficult and I might need his support. I am more of a panicky kind of person so having another person listen to the information and who could remember it when the baby was actually here would have been helpful.
When we got there, he was the only significant other that came. The teacher/nurse whatever decided the other ladies could take a vote about whether or not he could stay. It was so silly, they did a secret ballot and actually voted for him to leave because a lot of women were uncomfortable with a man being in the room. I was really annoyed and my poor husband had to go find something to do while he waited for me (the hospital was an hour from home).
DH didn't go with me but thats because he had to work. Most women had their partner with them though. He did learn about it some in the regular class though. I don't think its a bad idea for him to go at all because you will need someone's support.
In the beginning I wanted to give up so bad but DH was so supportive and kept pushing me. I was so glad he was there... I know I would have given up without him.
Exactly this. I could not remember shiiit from the class about proper latch and whatnot, even though I saw an LC in the hospital 5 times in 2 days. Sleep deprivation and stress are going to make you forget a lot. I never would have made it then or to 14.5 months without him helping me. He would help me remember which side I needed to start on and how to hold her differently to get a better latch, or help open her jaw and position things correctly.