Breast Feeding Classes

this is my second child and i took the breast feeding class again it was a great refresher on what to expect and how each child is different. It is defenatly a good idea even if it is just to get some ideas of what to expect. good luck
S.

I definitely found that taking the class before my first child was very helpful. I took one at St. Joe's. Plus I didn't ask my husband to go and ALL the other dad's were there so I got taken out to lunch!

Dr. Mom's book on breastfeeding is very helpful.

La Lache League is also very helpful.

Hi - I found that going to La Leche League meetings before my baby was born to be very helpful. The women were wonderful and it let me know that all the things I experienced when I first attempted breastfeeding were normal and we worked through it. I like La Leche League best because every leader must have breastfed their child for at least a year - a lactation consultant may never have breastfed. Good luck

Hi C.,
I have a 5yr old and a 2 yr old and I went to breastfeeding classes with both of them and the only thing they can really show you with out the baby is how to hold them. And that is pretty easy. So I think that it is easier to wait until the baby is born. Well hope this helps.

I thought it was beneficial. I took a breastfeeding class at LDS hospital. They told us what to expect, showed us a breastfeeding video and make me feel better about breastfeeding. Then once I had my daughter they had the 2nd part of the class in the hospital. There was also an LC at the hosptial that helped out, which was a great help since my daughter had a hard time latching. Breastfeeding is not easy and doesn't come naturally. If you can stick with it once you have your baby it will be worth it and it does get better.

A.

I did find it helpful. There is so much going on when your baby is born it is hard to remember everything. But if you have heard it before then you at least have an idea about what it is going to be like. I also was glad my husband came with me. Then he could when we got home and I needed a reminder.

See I went to both and found that since I was a first time mom I had no idea what I was doing. The breastfeeding classes were not that helpful. So when I had my son, my midwife helped me out wonderfully. Having your little girl with you, is the best in my opinion. Then you can go to a lactation specialist and get the service you need. They are good!!!

It will be hard at first. My son took a long time to get attached, and I ended up with mastitis and then a yeast infection on my breasts that took a very long time to go away. It was very painful. But I want to encourage you! To keep pressing on with breastfeeding. It has been so wonderful now I love it!!!!

I found the one I took to basically just try and sell everyone on breastfeeding. It was all the benefits, and no real capitalization on the tribulations. There were no demonstrations. So, I would say, check out some online resources and see pictures of correct latches. Maybe get a book and read it while you're pregnant.

Congratulations!

I would definately encourage you to take a class. I only took the basic class (it was a 2 day class) for "beginners" on basic parenting and they covered breastfeeding. I was really glad I did. Of course, it's hard to know what to expect when you're practicing with a doll! You'll get it! Invest in a good breast pump if you can. Don't be afraid to get a used one online either that is in good condition. You can just boil the parts you use or buy new ones...it will save you since you're really just buying a pump.

Best of luck!

I found the classes helpful, although the whole nursing thing seemed pretty abstract till my baby actually came. Still, taking a class at the hospital where you will give birth will let you meet the lactation consultants there and get some idea of the basics. Congratulations!

I think going to breastfeeding classes beforehand is a wonderful idea. They actually do teach you a lot of good things to give you confidence and a detailed bank of knowledge. For example, I never even thought that a baby could nurse any other way than cradle hold, but it turned out I nursed both of mine football hold for at least 3 months because it worked better for both of us-- I learned that method in a class. They also teach you warning signs of infection, and a host of other things that aren't just about how to feed the baby. I would visit with the lactation consultant at the hospital too though. Even if things seem to be going all right-- she can help stop any problems before they start (i.e. an improper latch that may cause irritation after a while, etc...). Good luck!

I took the breastfeeding class at Penrose before my daughter was born. I found it very helpful. It helped me have a little idea of what to expect and how to start breastfeeding right away. You don't always get to see a lactation specialist right away. But the nurses in the hospital can help you also. My husband also took the class with me and so he could help with reminding me of things we learned in the class. Good luck with everything and Congratulations!

I see you have a a lot of responses, but I just wanted to tell you that I think you should take the class. I guess depending on how much you know about breastfeeding could influence your decision as well. I found that they weren't very helpful in the hospital (some more than others) and they already expected me to know everything. Which I did know a lot already because I am a nurse and still found the class very helpful. There are many things about breastfeeding that are not common sense and I found that there wasn't a lot of teaching about those things in the hospital. Especially about things like when your milk comes in, what to do to prevent sore nipples, how long to store milk once pumped, etc. Plus after the baby comes you're going to be very tired and won't be as ready to learn. Good luck. Breastfeeding is so wonderful! I hope it goes well for you.

I would say both. Breastfeeding can be very hard to start with, a learning thing for the both of you and the more heads up you have the easier for you and baby it will be. It may save a little stress, sore nipples, and frustration. You may be one of the lucky ones that delivers in the middle of night when no lactation poeple are on and you need to feed the baby before then, and there are many other ladies out there that lactaion helps, so get a little background info before hand. I am a postpartum nurse and believe me this helps..although most us nurses are good at helping.

I took a breatfeeding class in 2006 before the birth of my daughter (first and only child) and it was well worth it. It is not so much to sell you on breatfeeding (even though it is mentioned), but it also serves as a learning experience especially for first-time Moms! I was glad that I took it since it gave you a lot of tips on what to look for, how to mach sure you get a good 'latch', etc.
Good luck!

C. -

I am going to agree with the majority and say take it! I took the class at Penrose and it was very helpful and informative. It was also very honest - we were told that it would hurt, and possibly not just "at the beginning" but for a long time! What I didn't notice in anyone else's response was the husband/dad's role. My husband joined me at the class and was very glad he did so he had an idea of what was going on and what I was going thru - at least as much as a guy can! ;-)
Good luck and Congratulations!

I'd skip the class. The lactation specialist at the hospital is a great 1 on 1 resource. The class will be filled with "why breastfeeding is better than anything else in the whole world" which you don't need to sit through if you've already decided to breastfeed.

1-Read up on breastfeeding on the internet: http://www.webmd.com/solutions/sc/breastfeeding-101/basic...
lots of other good sites, too. Don't worry about remembering everything, your LC will walk you through it as many times as you need.

2-Take to the hospital:
a. a tube of Lanolin.
It's a special lotion for nipples - prevents/heals cracks and sores on your nipples. It's safe for baby and you can buy it at the grocery store in the baby section. For the first couple weeks, apply Lanolin to your nipples after each time your baby nurses.
b. a couple nursing bras.

3-Don't give up
your baby is learning, too. So even if you're doing your part perfectly, it might take a while for your baby to get it down. It was really hard for 2 weeks, and then it got easy. it was worth it. Sometimes it helps to put a finger on the roof of baby's mouth and let him practice his sucking reflex.

4-The more of your breast you can get into his mouth the better

5-Be firm when you tell your pediatrician that you're going to be breastfeeding. Then he'll be supportive.

6-Jaundice.
If your baby has jaundice, ask the hospital to bring you a pack of formula bottles. ONE time per day, give him a bottle (he may only drink half of it and then you throw the rest out). For everything else breastfeeding is better, but formula is better for helping clear up jaundice.

I didn't give my son any formula and he ended up needing to stay under the lights in a suitcase for 2 weeks for his jaundice. Three years later, he is still my least cuddly child - and the hardest to get to sleep. (he lost his love for being swaddled since he had to be uncovered for 2 weeks. with cotton taped over his eyes....and he screamed alot.)

I've never had any trouble with nipple confusion giving just one bottle a day for up to a week. My son refused to nurse after 6 months. All my other kids nursed a full year.

woah..sorry that was so long. Don't worry about nursing - you'll do fine. :)

Hi C.,
I didn't take classes and wish I had. Not that my son had a problem nursing but it was so painful for 6 weeks I cried every time he nursed until my breasts were finally tough enough and then it was fine. I have had so many people tell me I should have taken a class, helps with exactly how to position and the different way babies nurse so you don't have to go through that for so long.
Good luck and have fun!
SarahMM

Hi C.,
I took a breastfeeding class prior to my first being born and I found it to be very beneficial. The more knowledge you have the more you will be prepared and know how to handle the most common issues. Also, a friend or relative who has nursed is a blessing. My step-sister is a lactation specialist who lives half-way across the country but without her I don't think things would have gone as well. Make sure you ask questions about what medicines you can take if you get sick and what foods to stay away from. This changes year to year and trust me it's not fun having a cold at mid-night and needing to take medicine and not know what is safe. Have a list of meds. you can take before you even leave the hospital. That's my one tip.
A.

I too am an expectant mom of a baby girl, due July 8th. I took the breastfeeding class and found it very informative. It even helped me pick nursing bras and the best breast pump. I would definitely recommend it.

C.,
Good for you for doing this now! You are setting yourself up for success and establishing your support network now- that way when/if you have questions, you know where to go right away. I wish we all had the presence of mind to participate in breastfeeding classes while still pregnant- I believe the rates of breastfeeding would skyrocket, if that were to happen.

Breastfeeding is so wonderful- for Mama and baby! I wish you guys a LONG, HAPPY breastfeeding relationship!
H.

I'd definitely recommend hooking up with la leche league since the women are breastfeeding moms before they are leaders and you have a support system available after baby comes too, not just a class that comes and goes. llli.org put in your country, then your state and you can find phone numbers or email addresses of leaders/groups that meet in your area and learning good technique and info before baby comes is much better than waiting to see if a problem comes up that you need help with, especially if you're absolutely committed to breastfeeding.

I found it useful for me. I learned more what to expect. It was good practice. I enjoyed the class.

I would highly recommend taking the class before your birth. I learned a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding, some common problems, and where to find good nursing bras and pumps. The most important thing to remember is that it is a lot of work- so just stick with it. The first two or three weeks were the worst for me, and now it is a breeze! (My son is 5 months.)

Hi C.,

Out of all the things I read and the classes I took before the baby arrived, I highly recommend a breastfeeding class for you and your husband. Yes, you might feel a little weird holding a doll while you practice the football hold, but the wealth of information is outstanding. There are details about the benefits of breastfeeding to the types of bottles and pumps best to buy. Usually the class is only a one day event. Also, I agree with other responders. Breastfeeding is extremely difficult at first, so give it at least three weeks. Good luck!

Most definitely take classes before your birth. The more you know about breast feeding before you child is born, the smoother the transition will be when your child comes. I recommend La Leche League. They are a wonderful resource to learn how to breastfeed and a great support after your child is born. Congrats on your little one and best of luck!!

TAKE A CLASS! I took one and it was well worth the time and money. My husband and I went together and it was great. We use the book as a resource frequently and my husband is always giving me pointers he remembered from the class as new problems arise (my daughter is almost 7 months now - with two teeth). Make sure you get the contact info for the instructor and the person at the hospital and call them if you need to. I almost gave up but they were a great help. I haven't had to supplement at all.

Breast feeding is NOT as easy as it seems. Any help you can get will be great. Also, I tell my fellow sisters to give breast feeding 6 weeks. After the first 6 weeks it gets a whole lot easier

I think classes are a great idea. Choices would be a class at a hospital--make sure it's taught by an IBCLC, or try to attend a couple La Leche League meetings. It can be hard to figure out breastfeeding from a book, and doubly hard to read and figure it out with a baby in your arms. A class will help you with some basics, hopefully make it feel a little more "normal," and give you a face with a name if you need help after the birth. Good luck, and enjoy your new baby!!

Congratulations! I would also recommend waiting, as breastfeeding is definitely a team effort! You will want advice on you and your baby's strengths and weaknesses. I am not sure where you are delivering, but at the hospital I was at they held a weekly class for moms and babies after delivery. It was great! They had a specialist to answer questions and it was nice to talk to other moms going through the same things. Make sure that when you are in the hospital you get as much advice and time with the lactation specialist as possible! You won't have them when you get home, so get all the info you can! It's hard but definitely worth it! Best of luck!

I would recommend taking the class. I was so happy that I did. I actually found it more beneficial than the childbirth class! So what I would actually recommend is take the class to prepare you and then work with the lactation consultant after your little one comes. Breastfeeding is a lot harder than I thought it would be, so the more prepared you can be the better. Just remember that it will get easier and try to stick with it. Congrats and best wishes to the two of you!

Hi C.,
I recommend taking classes on breast feeding before your precious little one arrives. I was so glad I did. There are many things you can do to prepare your body for the great experience of nursing your first child. Without preparation many of my friends strugggled with sore nipples , ect., that I didn't have to cope with. Take the class. I think it will be worth the time.

S..
From Colorado

Sorry, to be contrary, but I say the more information you can get before your first, the better! I really struggled with my first baby! It was bad enough that I almost stopped nursing after the first couple of weeks! If I had had some more information - more demonstration or more anything with regard to nursing, it would have helped immensely!
There are a lot of helpful things on the internet, though. Check out www.llli.org. for tons of information. It may be more than you really want, so take what will work for your and your family and use it - and throw the rest out the window.
Congratulations and good luck!

I think it is great to take a class before the baby comes... but I would also get info on lactation specialists. The class usually doesn't talk about all the hard things.. :) or what could happen or might happen. It IS supposed to be natural, but sometimes it is not. There are a lot of factors that can affect the way your baby nurses or does not nurse. I would have numbers and specialists ready to call even after you come home from the hospital. They are SO helpful! It's not as easy as it seems, but worth it!

Congrats on the new baby, and I would wait until the baby is born there will be a lactation specialist that will come around in the hospital to answer any questions you may have. If you want to get an idea of it I would check out baby's rus schedule since it is free.

I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital while I was pregnant and it was very interesting and helpful! I also read as much as I could get my hands on before my baby was born. (a great source is breastfeeding.com)When my first was born I had a really difficult time making milk because my baby was in the NICU and could not nurse for the first few days. I had help from the lactation consultant at the hospital at that time and I even needed a prescription medication to bring my milk in. But because I had read up so much and I knew just how important breastfeeding was I did not give up and I am so glad that I didn't! After those first difficult weeks, breastfeeding was easy and enjoyable and I am so glad that I was able to give such an important gift to my babies. I think that many times mothers give up on breastfeeding too quickly because they do not realize that it gets easier and that there is a solution to nearly every breastfeeding problem! It is VITAL for a breasfeeding mom (or mom to be) to have tons of support from other moms who have been there and/or from a lactation consultant or educator or from La Leche League. So yes, get as prepared for breastfeeding as you possibly can before you have a hungry baby in your arms and are anxious and scared! You CAN breasfeed successfully with the right knowlege and support!

Try the class then maybe you wont need help after . It is more stressful if you wait till after.

I was completely clueless about breastfeeding so the classes at least provided a starting point for me. Plus, they provided facts and statistics to help me defend my decision when my family members challenged me! After the birth I visited with lactation consultants so many times I can't remember. It was all worth it for me. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to make breastfeeding work, because it is truly a wonderful experience for you and your baby.

I don't know about any specific classes, but I would definitely make a point to attend a few La Leche League meetings before your baby is born. The leaders (and other moms!) are fantastic. You will start to build friendships with other mommies, which are important once your baby arrives. You also start to train your mind to normalize breastfeeding. One of the problems of our society is that most mothers have never seen a woman breastfeed a baby before their own child is born. Not only do they have no idea what to do, it can also feel (emotionally) pretty weird at first. Finally, if you do need help with getting breastfeeding off to a good start, it is nice to have met the leader before you "need" them to help you. It's a little akward to ask for help with your boobs from a complete stranger, if you know what I mean!

If you do choose to take a lactation class, I would try to contact some former students to see how they felt about it. Do a lot of the moms from the class go on to nurse successfully? Unfortunately, there is a great range in the quality of lactation consultants. I have heard of LCs who tell moms that they just can't nurse or that there is no real difference in putting baby on formula, rather than giving them the help they need. I would definitely try to find out some background information about whomever is giving you advice (which includes baby's pediatrician!) I would want to know if she has nursed a baby, and for how long. If it was a man, I would be curious if his wife nursed their babies and for how long. It may sound weird, but people who have successfully nursed babies, especially for an extended period of time, KNOW that nursing works. They also tend to be enthusiastic about helping other moms get off to a good start. Mothers who have formula fed babies tend to be invested in the idea that formula feeding is no big deal, and often their advice reflects it. (La Leche League leaders must have breastfed at least on child for at least a year, so not only do they KNOW what they are talking about, but they have LIVED what they are talking about!)

"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" is the nursing book put out by LLL. It has basically been my nursing bible throughout nursing two babies (so far). The newest edition is the 7th.

Another thing you may not have thought about is medication during childbirth. Many studies have shown that babies who receive medication during birth (if you get it, she will too) have more problems nursing - they tend to be more sluggish, not to seek out the breast as readily, and have a poor suck when they do latch on. Obviously you have to make your own choices during your birth, but it is worth thinking about when you consider medication.

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival. If you stick with breastfeeding, you guys will be pros before you know it!

Best of luck,
S.

C.,
Breastfeeding can be scary for a first-time mom and I would have failed miserably had I not attended a class BEFORE having my first child. It's easier to learn the techniques when you aren't exhausted from childbirth and stressed about your new baby starving if you can't figure out how to feed her. You may need a lactation specialist anyway, but at least you'll know the fundamentals ahead of time. My husband went to the class with me and he was really helpful during those first days of nursing. Good luck!

I think finding out a bit of information ahead of time is a great idea. I didn't take a class, but did meet with my local La Leche League group a couple of times before my baby was born. Breastfeeding is not always a simple task, and learning what to expect beforehand can be very helpful. LLL was able to tell me what to expect that first time you nurse your new infant.

--S.