Community› The Bump Local Boards› D.C. Area Babies
D.C. Area Babies
New Discussion

separate breastfeeding class?

bh2720bh2720
in D.C. Area Babies
DH and I are doing the Saturday preparation for childbirth class, do you think I should do a separate breastfeeding class? or will they cover that in the childbirth prep?
Report Reply to Post

Re: separate breastfeeding class?

  • smacbsmacb
    They should cover it.  I took a separate one and honestly, it was kind of a waste of time.  I think bfing is something you really need to learn hands on.  There are lots of books on the topic.  I found the lactation consultants at the hospital and my pedi's office much more helpful.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • RiverPlateRiverPlate member
    It was only peripherally covered in mine (VHC), and I wish I'd taken a seperate class.  We had to see a lactation consultant after Sophie was born, and I should have done more preparation than reading a book.
    image
    Report Reply
  • asolareasolare
    i agree with smacb.  i didn't take a BFing class ahead of time, just read bits of a book (the complete guide to BFing) but my VHC class did cover it.  i feel like you won't know what's going on until there is a baby hungry in front of you.  i had a LC to my house 8 weeks in, but i had very specific issues.  i would not waste the time on a separate class, but be prepared to either have an LC to the house or go to BFing support groups at the hospital.
    Report Reply
  • JARbabyJARbaby member
    We took birthing class at Fair Oaks and it did not cover any BFing. But I delieverd at FFX and between the LC there, the LC support group threre, the book So Thats What They are For and kellymom.com I did  just fine.
    Report Reply
  • AgrippaAgrippa
    I never took one.  I'm not sure that it would have been beneficial, because you don't have a real baby to practice with.  Real babies are wiggly and stubborn.  I just used the LC in the hospital and did just fine.
    Report Reply
  • suecadencesuecadence
    We are taking one at the hospital.  I've heard both pro and con, but it was something I was interested in doing so I signed up.
    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • barkers4jmmbarkers4jmm

    My VHC childbirth class covered it briefly, but I'm glad I had taken a separate BF (not VHC) class.  The BF class was more thorough especially about latching techniques and potential issues, hands on, and intimate - only 5 of us with an LC.  I did really like the childbirth class (I took the weekly) but happy for the extra time I spent on the BF class - I felt much more comfortable about being able to BF.

    Also, VHC has a free weekly BF support group at noon every Wednesday.  It's in the classroom off the women-infant lobby.  You can ask any questions or just listen in to others.

     

    Report Reply
  • 2BeJennP2BeJennP
    The Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington does a Free Prenatal class.  I was suppossed to go to it the week DS was born, but since he came 3 weeks early that didnt work out!  I know go the the weekly free infant class they offer on Tuesdays and love it.  Pat, "The Breast Whisperer" runs the class.  Its a great environment to ask questions and learn about what others are doing and experiencing - I felt much more "normal" after just the first session.
    Report Reply
  • asolareasolare
    Pat, "The Breast Whisperer" - this is the LC who came to my house.  talk about a woman who knows her boobs!  she was amazing.
    Report Reply
  • BridetobeEmBridetobeEm

    I took a BF class at the Breastfeeding Center and while Pat seemed great, it really wasn't that beneficial.  It's sort of like being told how to ride a bike w/o having an actual bike.  You can certainly read up on it and take classes, but you need a baby to really understand it imo.  Definitely meet w/a LC as much as you can at the hospital.  I had to meet w/one about 2 weeks pp as well and it was worth every penny.  I had major issues- improper latch, cracked and bleeding nipples etc, but I'm so glad I stuck w/it.

    Report Reply
  • bh2720bh2720

    "the breast whisperer"!

    funny...Smile

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"