Hi ladies,
I'm sneaking on to your board for a second because I need the opinion of new mothers. I just found out that the only day I could possibly take the "Caring for your Newborn" class at my hospital is early July - but I'm not due until the beginning of October. On the other available dates for the class, I'm just not free. I feel like this is extremely early (and it kind of messes up the budget I've planned).
I have heard from a few of my friends that this particular class isn't the most helpful, because they're going over things that you have probably already read/researched about, or things you will learn in the hospital when you deliver. I've been reading up and researching like crazy so I'm not going into this totally blind (although I realize that as a FTM you never know exactly what you're getting into).
So what do you guys think? Cough up the money and take the class 3 months before I'm due? Or skip this one and just enjoy all the other classes I've already registered for (pediatric CPR, childbirth preparation weekend, breastfeeding)?
Thanks in advance!
Re: "Caring for your Newborn" class necessary?
We took ours so early in our preg that we forgot a lot of it. I found books to be the most helpful, such as what to expect the first year, baby 411, etc...
This exactly. It eased our minds but we learned a lot through reading and our delivery nurses.
Nope.
I literally had 0 experience with infants until having my own. Most of it comes naturally & with common sense. I did quite a bit of reading & still am constantly reading up on things... But no, the classes aren't necessary.
I found this to be true for myself as well. It really eased his anxiety about caring for a baby. I already have a DD from a previous relationship so I knew most things.
However, I didn't take one with my first but I caught on quick on how to care for her. Your motherly instincts kick in. It wouldn't hurt to take it though.