Take DH to B/F class?

ssmb_clarinet · September 2012

Coming up in the next few weeks DH and I have some pregnancy classes we are signed up to take, one of which is a breastfeeding class. Is this a class he should attend with me? If you have gone to one before, did you take DH? Were there men in your B/F class? He wants to skip it, but I think it might be helpful for him to know what is going on with my body.

Sprite2012 · September 2012

I'm taking my breastfeeding class in October. My husband opted out, and I didn't argue. He knows it's important for our child and he supports my decision to breastfeed. That's as involved as he wants to be with it!

rooneytunes01 · September 2012

I'm taking mine with me. He comes from a family of non BF women so I want him to learn more about why this is my choice. GL!

atrinh11 · September 2012

I told my husband I would prefer if he comes, so he agreed to come. I also want him there as a bit of a second brain to absorb all of the information. Although he doesn't have breasts to feed our child with, we are in this together, so I appreciate his support in things like this.

ACS26 · September 2012

My husband is coming with me. We both feel two heads are better than one

ZoeMay06 · September 2012

MandJS:
DH came with me. It's good to have a second person who is there to help you remember the tips and tricks, and DH was great at assisting me when we first got home with S and I was having difficulty latching. He knew what other positions I should try, and was able to help get me and S in the right position. Plus, I think anything that makes the SO feel more included is worthwhile.

This was us too. I'm glad he was there because he ended up remembering things I hadn't. All the other women in my class had their partners with them. You can always entice him to go by telling him they may show pictures or videos of boobs!

brooke&ryan&baby · September 2012

Absolutely! He should be there. Not only is there going to be helpful information for both of you there also will likely be information on ways he can support you!

CarynGunter · September 2012

I was only 1 of 2 girls that showed up at mine without her DH / SO. However, DH doesn't come with me to my appointments either. He only came to the 20 week A/S. For DD1 he did attend the child birth class (1.5 days).

I kinda wish he had come but I was able to share the info after and he did help the first few days with keeping LO's hands out of the way as we were getting the hang of it.

voleyqueen6 · September 2012

The class I enrolled in is a one time thing and only 2 hours. So my hubby is fine with going.

LollyBug18 · September 2012

DH went with me last time and it turned out to be a god-send. He remembered all sorts of things I didn't, especially when things were really tough in the beginning. Had he not known how to support me through that, I don't think I would have lasted very long with BFing. Definitely take him if he's willing and if he's not, try your best to convince him.

DHelenL9 · September 2012

MandJS:
DH came with me. It's good to have a second person who is there to help you remember the tips and tricks, and DH was great at assisting me when we first got home with S and I was having difficulty latching. He knew what other positions I should try, and was able to help get me and S in the right position. Plus, I think anything that makes the SO feel more included is worthwhile.

This!! If you are struggling with BFing that first week and your hormones have kicked in and your emotions are OUT of CONTROL, you're sleep deprived and can't think straight, you'll wish your DH knew what you learned to help remind you of tips and suggestions.

milesc · September 2012

DH came with me to my first one when I was pregnant with DD.

He opted out this time, but I don't blame him- it was the exact same class as last year. Its a free class held at the hospital, so I figured why not. Oh, and its a new hospital and I wanted to see it Smile

pb_bride · September 2012

Absolutely! We went to ours earlier this week. About 80% of the women came with their SO/DH.

Not only it's helpful to have another person to be there to absorb the information, I think men generally have no clue how difficult BF *can* be. Sure, it might go very easy for you, but if you are running into issues, it's important that your DH is understanding and is there to SUPPORT you.

I doubt most First time dads out there realize that a newborn feeds every 1.5-2hrs, and each feeding session can take up to 45 mins. So basically, you're feeding the baby for 45 mins, then you get 45 mins off, and the baby needs to eat again. It's important that your support person understands this and helps out with everything else that's not BFing related, like bringing you snacks to eat, water to drink, or changing the diaper, holding LO for a while so you can get up to go pee etc.

JulieN0704 · September 2012

Mine came with me. More for moral support than anything, but I was glad he was there. He learned some things, I learned some things, and of the two of us he will retain the information better. i'll be too overwhelmed, sleep-deprived and frustrated, I think. Knowing that he knows what I should be doing will be a huge help down the line.

Kadyra · September 2012

Dh came last time and this time. He said it wasn't super useful for him either time. I think though if I run into trouble, his willbe the first opinion I get before the LC. I also felt his experience was helpful to the FTD's there.

payn0045 · September 2012

Yes! My husband came, and almost everyone there was with there S/O - so totally normal and comfortable for the guys. I know things can get hairy and stressful those first couple weeks, and I definitely wanted my husband to understand all the stuff that goes with BF - how frequent it has to be, why to avoid bottles at first, etc, etc.

angelacarmen · September 2012

I went to a bf seminar a few months ago while DH was away working, and I totally regret him not being there. Like PPs have said, him having the information and ability to support me are a huge advantage. We are actually going to the same seminar next weekend together so he can learn what I have. I think the LC can explain it all much better than I can.A friend of mine has a five week old baby, her DH didn't come to the seminar and he has been constantly sabatoging her BF efforts without even realising it. He popped a soother in the baby's mouth on like, day 5, which confused the poor little baby for almost two weeks. He was also frustrated with how long/how often it takes to feed the baby and with his lack of bonding time as a result of her being the only one able to feed right now. My friend had to go back to the LC for help a couple of times even though bfing started out really well. She feels that if her DH had of been at the seminar with her none of the problems would have happened, and he would have been better prepared for what to expect the first few weeks. I def recommend that he go with you! FWIW, mine and hers were the only SOs not at the seminar.

AshleyLecker · September 2012

I am taking a class in a few weeks and they encouraged dads to come and particiapte. My husband wants to join me for the class. I have heard from other people that have attended the class that husband/SO attend.

jenneason · September 2012

I took the B/F class, and I did not bring my husband. He knew he was welcome, but I didn't feel it very necessary for him. He is 100% behind me breast-feeding, and he knows that I need him to support me when it gets tough! There was one husband that was in my class of 15, so it seems like a lot moms felt that it was fine to go solo on this one! He did attend the CPR, Care, and childbirth with me, and I thought those were good to have him there!

BarooGirl · September 2012

Oh no, I assumed that DHs didnt usually go to these.

I think I will call my hospital and ask if anyone is bringing a SO. I know that when I signed up for the birth class they asked if I was bringing someone, when I signed up for this one they didnt.

We do have a consult with the LC during my stay at the hospital.

msmcdermott2008 · September 2012

I took my DH with me and he really learned a lot, especially when it comes to the many benefits of breast feeding. Having him just as informed as me will be a great support to me, epecially if I get discouraged.

johart · October 2012

It wasn't even a question for us. He is as much a part of it as I am. Plus, I figure when I will be sleep deprived/frustrated and not thinking clearly, he can help remind me of things we learned. There were several other fathers there and the teacher was so impressed that men came.

lspaz · October 2012

I brought my husband with me. When I scheduled the class I asked if women normally bring their husbands and the woman told me no that usually women will bring their moms or sisters. I'm glad my husband came because out of the 8 women in the class 6 of us brought our husbands. Plus it's good to have whoever is going to be home with you the first couple weeks there so they can help out if you encounter any issues.

AshleyR2452 · October 2012

MandJS:
DH came with me. It's good to have a second person who is there to help you remember the tips and tricks, and DH was great at assisting me when we first got home with S and I was having difficulty latching. He knew what other positions I should try, and was able to help get me and S in the right position. Plus, I think anything that makes the SO feel more included is worthwhile.

This was us too, and there were lots of men in our group all but 1 woman whose so didn't go

AshleyR2452 · October 2012

MandJS:
DH came with me. It's good to have a second person who is there to help you remember the tips and tricks, and DH was great at assisting me when we first got home with S and I was having difficulty latching. He knew what other positions I should try, and was able to help get me and S in the right position. Plus, I think anything that makes the SO feel more included is worthwhile.

This was us too, and there were lots of men in our group all but 1 woman whose so didn't go

vcrown · October 2012

My husband didn't go with me. I went with a pregnant friend (her DH was going to go and then opted out that day). I think we had maybe 6 women, no husbands. Had I asked, I know he would have, but I didn't think he'd get anything out of it.

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