Baby Classes yes or no?

cpm1223 · August 2013

Just starting to look up some classes that I might need/want to take and I'm curious as to what you are all doing or have done in the past. I was looking at CPR, Breastfeeding, Newborn Essentials and Prepared Childbirth, but if I want to take all of them, its going to cost a small fortune (close to $800)!

Are they all necessary, must take classes?

Are some more important than others?

What are you doing or what did you do in the past?

lmills730 · August 2013

I'm sure I'm not much help as a FTM but we're taking a Childbirth Prep class, a breastfeeding, an Infant CPR, and an Infant Care class. The Prep class is the most expensive, 4 weeks and $185.00. The others are all 3-hour 1 day classes at $55. Not cheap, but not horrific. My insurance reimburses $100 for classes too, so at least that's $100 off.

Stella2008 · August 2013

So, this is from a third time mom.

We did take the "new beginnings" class when I was pregnant with #1, which was more of a childbirth/basic baby care class, and honestly could have taken or left it. I felt like I learned much more from the L&D nurses while recovering after the birth (hands on, aplicable to what I needed to know). I was also going to take a breastfeeding class, but cound not make the schedule work. If I were you, I'd read a book or watch some general videos on breastfeeding and save the money to hire a lactation consutant (if it is not already covered by your insurance company under the new Affordable Care Act legislation) when the time comes--that hands on, real time help was super helpful to me. GL!

cpm1223 · August 2013

KaitiMac said:

Yikes! Our hospital offers Newborn Essentials, Birthing, CPR, and Breastfeeding classes for free... have you checked your hospital yet?

I got the brochure from the nurse at my doctors office and I figured if the classes were free, she would have mentioned it. They do the classes (the company who's website I was on and getting pricing from) at the hospital where I deliver. Maybe it's worth a call to this place or to the doc's office for more info!

happyturtle03 · August 2013

When I was pregnant with my first, which was 11 yrs ago, so things may have changed some and may be different in your area, we took a New Parents class at the local hospital recommended by my OB for first time parents. It covered some basic infant CPR, infant care (diapering, swaddling, what things to check when baby was crying, bathing and dressing baby, basic stuff like that.), and some basic childbirth techniques. We went once a week for 8 weeks, I think it was, for a couple hours. It kind of depends on how much you've been around babies & what your comfort level is, and also how much support you have nearby from friends and family who've had babies before. Talk with your OB about it, he/she will probably have some good ideas for you and help you choose the right class, but also check with some of the area hospitals and birthing centers and maybe even community centers to see what else is available. I definitely enjoyed our class and felt more comfortable with it and my hubby especially did because he'd never really been around babies very much, though I had done some babysitting before. Good luck!

cpm1223 · August 2013

Ok, so I'm a bit of a moron and didn't read the fine print where it says that the registration fee covers me and H (or a non pregnant support person) So it'll cost about $400ish instead of $800...much better!

Stella2008 · August 2013

Oh, and I should add that DH and I did do the baby CPR class together. This was important to us, and that would be my recommendation of what to take.

moosebaby2011 · August 2013

I took a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class. The childbirth class was a one-day thing, was more of a generic overview and TBH I really didn't learn anything that I hadn't already read or researched for myself. I'd imagine a class that taught a more specific approach (like Bradley, for example) might have been more helpful.

The breastfeeding class was much more useful.

jldubb0626 · August 2013

Our hospital did labor/prepared childbirth and newborn essentials all in one. My hospital also has a group meeting and LC's on call even after your discharged for breastfeeding, so between getting guidance at the hospital and the LC's, I didn't need to take the class. CPR is a good thing to know anyway, but I know our local Red Cross does the classes cheap or for free, so I'd check that out before paying for one at the hospital.

boggs507 · August 2013

I bought a DVD series for $70ish dollars that included a dvd about delivery, baby care, and one other one that I can't remember right now - obviously that last one had a lasting impression. I found the first two helpful and am glad I didn't spend anymore to go to a real class.

Jen4033 · August 2013

My first pregnancy, we checked out the DVD version of the childbirth & Breastfeeding classes. It was $25 for both disks. I wouldn't say either offered any more info than doing your own research might provide you.

Unknown · August 2013

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OSUWifey09 · August 2013

I did a childbirth class for DS [almost 5 years ago now, yikes], and I'm glad I took it. Very informative, and the nurse was great. I'll probably do the refresher one; it'll be $20.

I took the BF one, too, and I wasn't a big fan - the LC wasn't all that great. But I do want to work harder on the BF bit this time around, so I'm definitely taking that one [and hoping it's better]. It'll also cost $20.

Just saw that my hospital offers a sibling course, where they let the siblings-to-be tour the L&D wing, make a bib for new baby and talk through what it'll be like to bring a baby home. It's free, so we may do that with DS.

valigrl21 · August 2013

We didn't take any classes, but still prepared ourselves for DD's arrival, at least as much as anyone can be prepared for such a life changing event.

We watched YouTube for CPR lessons and have re-watched them every few months since we want to make sure that's fresh on our minds and CPR for a newborn is different than CPR for a toddler.

I researched labor pretty extensively. I used the internet for lots of great references about what to expect and read some books.

As far as taking care of DD, DH & I have been around babies and kids quite a bit, so we felt pretty covered there. We also watched The Happiest Baby on the Block, which is great for learning how to sooth a newborn.

I think the one thing I wasn't very prepared for was breastfeeding. I read a little, but I still didn't know what to expect. Luckily, my hospital had a great Lactation Consultant that worked extensively with us. Without her, I wouldn't have ever figured it out. I am not sure if a class would have helped though or not.

So I think you can by-pass the classes, but they certainly won't hurt. Especially if you or YH haven't been around a lot of babies.

Jackapatamus · August 2013

We registered for the l&d, newborn, and breast feeding classes. DS came 5 weeks early, and the only one we finished was the delivery, which I found helpful, because then I knew where to go, had an idea of how the NICU worked etc., which we ended up needing the day after we completed the class! A lot of the information I already knew, but my DH did not. My DH and I were first time parents, and had little newborn/birthing experience, so any and all info was good for us! This time around we will be signing up for the sibling class!

ach298 · August 2013

We took a Prepared Childbirth class (registration for that included another class of our choice for free, so I chose the Breastfeeding class). The Childbirth class was great in that it got DH up-to-date on all the stuff I had been researching for the past several months. It also included infant CPR/first aid/Baby heimlich, which is something I think every parent and caregiver should know before being alone with the baby. I was a nanny for 4 years so none of it was really new to me, but everything was a good refresher and like I said, it got DH on the same page. The Breastfeeding class wasn't so good (at least at our hospital). It was 95% the benefits of BFing and less than 5% actually useful/practical information.

DH also went to a Daddy Bootcamp class offered at the hospital and LOVED it, since he got to talk to real new dads who brought in their 2-3 months old and discussed life with a newborn. He came home with a lot more confidence about bringing baby home.

LittleMommaBlueHen · August 2013

I think childbirth and breastfeeding classes are completely essential. If you have any friends who are life guards or military they can teach you cpr.

AnnikaD20 · August 2013

We already took an infant CPR class, which was free through DH's work, and was great. They went over a lot of other baby safety, first aid, and child proofing info too.

We will be doing the childbirth class through the hospital I'm going to deliver at. It has the tour, and pre-registration, as well as some labor support stuff for the DH which he's nervous about. I've heard it's pretty useful. Insurance covers part of it, and I think we're on the hook for about $50.

My friends have recommended skipping the breastfeeding class, and just reading some articles on latching, talking with other BFing moms, and making heavy use of the LCs on staff at the hospital. The BFing class is all about how wonderful BFing is, but if you've already made up your mind it's pointless.

I'm still undecided about the baby care class. I'm pretty sure I can learn most of what I need to know from the nurses at the hospital, the internet, and my friends with kids. But maybe I'd be more confident with a class. That one is about $200 and not covered by insurance, so that's one reason to skip it.

MrsGraham06 · August 2013

I can't remember what classes I took, but there was a baby basics, and a preparing for labor where we learned some pain-relief techniques, like if you rub your fingers down someone's arm or leg so there is no break (continuous, one direction) it disrupts pain receptors in the brain, and pressure/counter pressure. I also took a breastfeeding class. Mine were usually 1-2 hours, one was a 4-hour Saturday, and I think they were all "by donation, $35 suggested".

I found those mildly helpful, but I didn't really do any research, I didn't have any pregnant friends, I didn't really have a support group to ask questions. I had my mom, who hadn't been pregnant in 19 years, and my younger sister, who, 7 years later, is still single.

ac1259 · August 2013

How much experience do you and DH have with babies? I feel like newborn essentials and baby care aren't very necessary if you have any experience with babies. I'm sure you could read a book about that stuff.

TBH we signed up for an online class but didn't really go through it before I delivered. We didn't succeed at BFing but honestly I feel like everything the lactation consultant went over with us would've been plenty. I was a pediatric nurse so I have Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification, but DH didn't, I just went over CPR basics with him. But I'm sure there is some way you can find out the same info for less than $400...thats nuts!

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