WWYD BF class yes or no?

LokiLahve · July 2013

So I am supposed to go to a breast feeding basics class tonight. It is free.
Have you been to this class...is it a must for a FTM?
Delima: I feel like absolute crap and am SO crabby. I just want to rest in my pjs to be honest. I'm not that stressed about breast feeding honestly. I figure it seems like a natural thing with mom and baby, that the nurses at the hospital can give pointers for the first few tries and that I can probably find just as much info on Kellymom.com as I will get from this class. My MW also offers lactation consults after the birth so I could always do those if I was having problems.
So: get over my horrible mood and force myself to go or relax at home? [i have been super stressed lately and it's really taking a toll on me]

MommyKristin88 · July 2013

I never took a BF class, and I breastfed for 19 months. What I did was read A LOT of books, attend breastfeeding meetings at my local WIC office, and go to monthly LLL meetings. So, no, I did not prepare in advance, but I had continuous support through those 19 months. Ultimately, yes, you will get help in the hospital (at least, I did), and there are many support options after birth. If you don't feel it's necessary, don't go.

jjkaye · July 2013

I'm a FTM and went to one last night. I didn't want to go, didn't feel well... but got a lot out of it.

I'm happy I went. I thought I'd researched a lot, but I learned a ton and really enjoyed the parts on positioning (we used dolls!) and pumping logistics. I feel much more confident after the class. I'd go.

bendicott7 · July 2013

jjkaye:
I'm a FTM and went to one last night. I didn't want to go, didn't feel well... but got a lot out of it.
I'm happy I went. I thought I'd researched a lot, but I learned a ton and really enjoyed the parts on positioning (we used dolls!) and pumping logistics. I feel much more confident after the class. I'd go.

This. I went to one about three weeks ago and like you, really didn't feel like dealing with anyone or leaving the house that day, but I really did get a lot out of it.

Michelle N · July 2013

I wish I had the option! Yes, it's a natural process, but not necessarily an easy one.. and the more prepared you are the better! Plus, I bet you'll feel better if you make yourself go

WaterWorth0102 · July 2013

I went and rather enjoyed it. I learned a lot! But if you feel like crap... There are plenty of books and online videos you can watch. I'm just one who really got a lot out of it!! But I'm just a FTM.

carlieanddanwedding · July 2013

It sounds like you're trying hard to talk yourself out of it. If you really aren't feeling it and aren't in a good frame of mind for learning, I'd skip it. That said, while it is a natural process, my understanding is that it's not necessarily an easy one, so the more you know the better; I would plan to do a ton of reading/research and on taking your midwife up on the lactation consults as well. My hospital offers free breastfeeding support groups, so you might research if there's something like that in your area as well in case you're having trouble. And as far as the nurses giving pointers, that depends heavily on the hospital and the nurse - if you have a very pro-breastfeeding hospital/doctor/nurse, that's probably true, but if your hospital isn't on the breastfeeding bandwagon, they may be of limited help.

laceylavallee · July 2013

I never took a BF class or did much research. I BF my DD for 14 months. I took the "women have been doing it for years, its natural" approach so I figured we would learn and figure it out together. We did.

wifeyvana · July 2013

Go! Bf'ing is not as "natural" as you think and the more proactive you are about it, the better. Many women struggle with bf'ing and sometes it doesn't just happen. I wanted more than anything to bf my first, but for many reasons I had to end up EP'ing. I went to a refresher bf'ing course last month.

katharine25 · July 2013

I enjoyed the class, though I don't really feel like i got that much "new"information out of it, there were some small tid bits of information I've seen FTM freak out over that she made a huge point of noting were completely normal. It also helped just meeting the lactation consultant that will help at the hospital, and getting a feel for what her philosophy was in general (and comforting knowing it was in line with mine). I also brought along DH just so he would have a sense of what it's all about too.

laabeja · July 2013

The class couldn't hurt, but with my first I did just what you said: got pointers from the LC and nurses while in the hospital then learned everything else on Kellymom.com. Plus, I went to a weekly new mom's group and a breastfeeding support group - both led by LCs.

JBear02 · July 2013

I had a free one as well that I had to force myself to go to (it was 30+ minutes away and HOT outside) but I am glad I went. I learned a lot about positioning and just a few other nuggets of knowledge. My class didn't take super long either- an hour and we were done. In the end, I'm glad I forced myself to go.

RK125 · July 2013

I'm a FTM and went to one last night. My SIL had a lot of trouble bf'ing so I decided I should have some idea about it. I found the class really informative and the woman who ran mine was hysterical.

floridababy3 · July 2013

jjkaye:
I'm a FTM and went to one last night. I didn't want to go, didn't feel well... but got a lot out of it. I'm happy I went. I thought I'd researched a lot, but I learned a ton and really enjoyed the parts on positioning we used dolls! and pumping logistics. I feel much more confident after the class. I'd go.

This!!! I was so not up for it but was really glad I did.

sparks4stp · July 2013

I had one that I paid for and I was so disappointed with it. Makes me kinda mad I spent time and money and essentially learned nothing. The woman teaching it said the word um every other word and her opening statement was that the class would be more about prevention. As in hunger
cues before the baby got crabby. We watched this awful video from the 80s on VHS. She printed a bunch of stuff off of medelas website and that was it. Never even touched on pumping or creating a schedule for working moms or anything. Boo.

Missuskeekers · July 2013

I was glad I went to mine. I knew a lot of the info already but positioning and stuff was really helpful.

boymamaco · July 2013

Ugh ours was a waste of time. I was really looking forward to it but we were disappointed. If I were you, I'd stay home and rest.

melosch · July 2013

My husband and I went to class on Monday and it was SO helpful. I've already done a lot of reading/research and I walked away feeling like I learned a ton.

I think it really depends on the teacher though, but I do think that anything you can learn about breastfeeding will help you in the long run.

(sorry you're feeling so crummy)

LokiLahve · July 2013

Since my original post I've had a nap, a long bubble bath followed by a shower and am now in my Jammie's. the class is about 45 minutes away and starts in 15 minutes and I'm not regretting my decision to relax one bit!

tarapike86 · July 2013

Never went to one but wish I had that available
Nursed dd1 for 15 months never had any issues
Nursed dd2 for 10 months with tons of issues. Her latch wasn't right. She refused to nurse at first. I ha to express into her mouth. It was almost 10 months of stress.
I would happily go to a class now.

Snowbird7 · July 2013

I just got home from a BF class at my hospital, and I got way more out of it than I thought I would. I definitely did not feel like going after a hellish day at work, an outside temp of 106, a bad stomachache, and feeling exhausted. But I am really glad I went.

Plus, in the end, it really was a time saver. Instead of spending hours reading books and researching the Internet, the class was packed with info and over in less than two hours. Every FTM is different, but I'm glad I went. (And that my husband went too. I don't think men would normally do much reading and research about BF on their own, so now I feel better knowing that he is knowledgeable and equipped to offer me support.)

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