Breastfeeding Class

MrsSwanie

Did you attend a breastfeeding class before your LO arrived.  Did you find it helpful?  I'm trying to decide if I should take a class tomorrow night or just go with the flow like I had planned to do.  Now that I am getting close to my due date I am starting to stress about breastfeeding.  TIA!

RoxBride

I planned to, and did not, since I was put on hospital bedrest before I could attend. What helped me the most was working with an LC, and oddly enough, having a c/s since that meant I was in the hospital longer and therefore got more time with the nurses to get things down.

gault530

I didn't, but requested the lactation consultants in both days that I was in the hospital.  I was lucky because DD "got it" and I had my sister here who had bf'd two kids to give me tips and help.  Maybe it would help calm your anxiety to get information for le leche leauge to have on hand just in case.  Also, I would ask for the lactation consultant to come in both days, that is their job.

micaela421

I wEnt to one and learned a lot.

schoolsoutbride

DH and I both went and it was really helpful. O had issues early on and I couldn't get him latched for two weeks.  DH would remember things that I forgot in my exhaustion.  Also, both times the LCs I've had in the hospital haven't been very helpful and werent able to see us until right before we left...too late to be of much help.

azuremama

I went to one and was glad I did, but I don't think it's a necessity if you'll be able to work with an LC afterward.

daisies0406

i took one before we had dd and it was very helpful.  i was thankful that dh came with me because he remembered things that i didnkt and he was a great support system for me. dd and i had a rough start so i am thankful for dh and his support and i think the class really helped in knowing what i was going through.

RyanandManda

DH and I both attended and, while I didn't learn anything new, DH got a lot out of it and it was nice to be able to ask questions and practice using a boppy with a doll and talk to the LC personally after the class was over.  It wasn't a necessity but it was worth the $ we paid and the time spent there, especially with the teacher emphasizing the importance of BF'ing and the value of DH's support of it.  FTR, we're still nursing once a day and everybody is happy with that : )  The LC teaching the class was honest about the pain in the first 6 weeks and that was really helpful since everywhere else I had read "if you're doing it right, it doesn't hurt".  bologna!  ; )

PrncesWife

I did, and honestly I learned way more in that class than I did in the childbirth class. 

Mrs.Greeko

I did, but really I don't think my hospitals class was all that.  And I requsted to see a LC every day multiple times while in the hospital and never got to see one.  I ended up with major issues and paid a ton of $$ for a LC to come to my house multiple times.  I would pick up a couple good BFing books, peruse kellymom.com, and get numbers for LLL and an LC near you if you don't feel like going to the class. 

Kmac-06

I totally agree with the PPs who said their DHs got a lot out of the class. It was about 50/50 in the class I attended at the hospital whether the moms had their partner with them or not, but I was really glad to have DH there to hear all the info. I don't think he realized how time-consuming it would be, how many times a day and for how long infants nurse, etc. He also learned some good tricks for keeping the baby awake while nursing (newborns tend to fall asleep). We had the LCs come visit us several times during our hospital stay and that was helpful too but I would take the class too if you can. BFing can be easy or hard, but either way it is good to be prepared.

stella_blu

We had a class on breast feeding as part of our childbirth class and I did find it helpful. I also was "lucky" in that dd was in the nicu for a week so we has a lot of help from LC's. What also helped me a lot after birth was the breast feeding board here and kellymom.com. 

skidunks

DH and I went to one before Gavin was born and it was helpful to a certain extent. I found the LC I worked with after Hudson was born to be a lot better but going to the class was good, especially since DH went with me and remembered some things that I had forgotten.

uteandbuff

I went to one and thought it was very helpful.   My DH went with me as well which was great when I was frustrated and lacking sleep, he would remind me of things that they suggested and I didn't remember then.   I'd also recommend finding a clinic or group for after.   That way you have a place to go in the weeks after you are home.

d.f

I couldn't since I was on bed rest but I would have if I could have, and planned to before the bedrest.  The LCs from the hospital (they had you come back about a week after birth) were a big help but BFing was still much more difficult than I ever imagined.

MrsSwanie

Thanks for the info ladies.  I'm going to try to get into the class that is tonight.  Hopefully there is still room.  I never thought to bring my DH with me, so hopefully he will be able to come too!  Thanks again.

ELCJet

Too late, but I didn't find it helpful at all!  Of course, I had the kid that didn't latch properly and breastfeeding was damn near impossible, but I honestly didn't remember half of what they taught, and practice is what makes it perfect......I would totally save the money and schedule a meeting with the lactation consultant right after your child is born.  The hospital will have them available to you as well. 

KeepingItLowKey

DH and I went to one and I went from being totally clueless to learning a lot. It also helped DH understand what was going to be going on.