Breastfeeding
102007
member
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BF class vs. LLL meetings?
102007
member
I'm undecided if it's worth taking a breastfeeding class. I photocopied the information packet a friend had from her class, and it had some useful info and a whole bunch of web links. It also had a flier from our local La Leche League, and it listed meeting dates and times, and recommended attending a few meetings before the baby is born. (I'm due Aug. 25)
Would a combination of research, reading (I have the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding at home, as yet unread), and a few LLL meetings be a good prep, or is a class really worthwhile?
Thanks!
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Re: BF class vs. LLL meetings?
I think the quality of LLL groups varies a lot, as would BFing classes. The nearest LLL group for me has a lot of enthusiasm for BFing but very little practical advice: when a mom comes in with any non-latch challenge, she's just told that it will pass & BFing is wonderful. The group run out of my hospital, on the other hand, was so amazingly helpful & practical. It really just depends on the luck of the draw.
I didn't take a class & I wish I had. topics that should be covered: latch techniques, where to find support with a bad latch, pain management in the first 2-4 weeks, safe milk storage & bottle preparation, pumping, and supply management - for both under & over supply.
To read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, you either need to be 100% on board with LLL's agenda (homebirth/natural birth, women should be SAHMs, BFing being the best thing that's ever happened to you) or you need a strong stomach. I chucked it because I just wanted practical advice, not to be told that I caused all my BFing problems by getting an epidural, and that daycare is going to make my child aggressive. Between all the judgements and the fluff about the beauty of BFing, the real useful information was difficult to find. IMHO the website Kellymom.com is a million times more helpful than that book. Heck, I found the chapters on BFing in What to Expect the First Year more helpful than that book.
Definitely go to the LLL meeting and check it out and see for yourself how useful it is... it may be more of a social group for moms, or it may be more helpful if it's facilitated by a LC.
I went to a 4-hour BF class when I was pregnant, and I felt like I knew most of the stuff it presented already, but it felt good to actually talk to others about BFing somewhere other than the internet, and I learned what BF resources were available at my hospital and in my area. I'm going to my first (non-LLL affiliated) BF group today and I know it's facilitated by a LC who used to work at the hospital I delivered at, so I have high hopes for it.
Personally, I didn't find the bfing class all that helpful. I had learned everything all ready by just lurking on this board.
I imagine a LLL meeting might be more helpful though.
WHAT? That is such BS. That book is my go to resource...as with all LLL materials you take what you need and leave the rest.
Also, I have found the new format of kellymom to be a PITA. I can't search for anything anymore.
My blog
Like a pp said; the classes are good for hubbies. Especially if they are not completely on board about BFing.
I got the most support from my nursing support group at the hospital where I delivered. Not all hospital groups are the same. It is attended by at least 2 IBLC lactation consultants. There are 3 who rotate and all have breastfed and one did extended BFing. So no one is pushing formula or looking down at you if you don't wean at one or co-sleep (like some hospital groups might). I still go to mine even though LO is 10 months old because I love the support and interaction with other moms.
This is an excellent point. I always recommended taking a class, because the class I took was incredible. I never felt the need to attend an LLL group - although I have nothing bad to say about them, because every question I've ever had was already answered by the class or the resources they provided for us. In fact, the resources were so great, I gave them to a friend who was having difficulties with breastfeeding and she found them as useful as I did.
That being said, based on conversations with friends my experience is not the norm and a lot of people don't have the same level of resources available in and through their classes.