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Breastfeeding Questions (it got long!)
Talk to me about this. I had planned on taking a class. It's a 2 hour class and is called breastfeeding basics. In the class description is says that it will cover the following topics.
So I have a couple of questions about this.
1) Do you think that a class is really necessary, or should I just get some books at the library? I had planned to talk to the instructor about the issues I had breastfeeding Marshall, but I know that I can also talk to a LC while I'm in the hospital.
2) I have heard people talk about support from their partner...what does that look like? I mentioned the class to Sam this morning and he finds the idea of him going to a breastfeeding class absolutely ridiclious and doesn't see why he should have to go/how we will benefit from him going. I guess I don't really know the answer to that. Sam is supportive of me breastfeeding, but has left the decision TOTALLY up to me. If I breastfeed, great. If I formula feed, great. He doesn't have a preference either way. He doesn't understand why he should have to go to the class and learn latch techniques when he won't be the one doing the latching, which I can understand. And, just so you know, my mom will be here for a couple of weeks after the baby is born and she breastfed my sister, so she will be able to help me with things like latch, positioning, etc, so it's not like I would be totally on my own.
So I guess my questions are, do you think a class is necessary/helpful? And if I go to the class do you think it would be necessary/helpful for Sam to go? Thanks!
Re: Breastfeeding Questions (it got long!)
For me our class was a lot longer, and was drawn out. a 2 hour class seems perfect. I feel like I learn more from a person than from a book.
But that being said, a lot can be found on kellymom and you can ask lots of questions in the hospital. You could even call up the LC at the hospital now and talk about your concerns. But since it ijs a 2 hour class, and things have changed since your mom breastfed your sister, I would probably do the class. And ask lots of questions.
Nick did come to the class with me, as did one or two other dads. I was glad he was there. He was knowledgeable when I had questions, and was more comfortable him seeing me topless than my mom (duh!). He knew there were ways for him to bond. He was able to understand that the beginning can be challenging and how important it was that he was there to help. He was right next to me helping when Evie would not latch. I don't know if the class helped, or if it was all the helping he did in the hospital. And I had pregnancy brain, so it was nice to have 2 brains absorbing the knowledge.
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I found the class that I went to very beneficial. I didn't read any books, so the only real info I had was from that class. It taught all of the same things yours does and also talked about the various types of pumps, etc.
Of the 12 or so women in my class, ALL of us had our spouses with us. It was important for me to have Roger there, and he actually did benefit from it. He was able to understand a little better what I'd be going through, and by him learning the different positions and proper latch, he was able to help me make sure everything was correct if I couldn't see (obv. before I got the hang of it all). By him understanding it in greater detail, I think he was able to better support me when I had a breakdown one night from Taryn nursing constantly from midnight-5 am once.
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I took a class, and while I didn't learn anything earth-shattering, I did think it was beneficial. The class was actually through the hospital I delivered at, so once I had Nora, one of the LCs that taught the class actually was on duty one of the days I was there, so it was nice to get that continued, consistent support.
Michael did come to the class with me. Out of all of the women there, probably half had their spouses with them. And I was glad that he came--he did learn a few things, if nothing more than the fact that he would have to be very helpful/supportive. When I was hysterically crying during our first night home from the hospital because Nora wouldn't nurse, he was right there assuring me that it would work out once she got the hang of it, etc. In the beginning weeks, there were many times I needed him to "assist" me with getting her latched, too. He would hold her hands so Nora couldn't get them up in the way.
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I did a similar class. DH went and found it helpful (according to him). In our class, all but one woman had her partner there. I think it gave him a better idea of what to expect and ways he could help. He's not really a reader, so it was a good way for him to get the info. When people have questioned our choice to BF, he has the info to answer intelligently.
The LCs in the hospital went over a lot of the same stuff, but there was so much going on in the hospital that it was helpful to hear it more than once.
Also - depending on when you deliver, it may be hours (if not the next day) before you see a LC although most nurses are knowledgeable. I wanted to nurse right away and found it helpful to already know the basics before I saw the LC.
ETA: For me, support from DH has been more emotional that technical (e.g., latch, positioning, etc.). Things like standing up to MIL's annoying friend who laughed when I said I wanted to BF for a year if possible. Letting me know that I'm doing everything I can even though our LO isn't gaining weight. Helping with decisions on whether or not to supplement. Being understanding and not feeling left out because he can't participate in feeding the baby as much. Does that make sense?