If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

Sorry for the possible stupid question. Do they have classes?? If so can anyone recommend one or do I just do it through the hospital??

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

look into it through your OB office or hospital.

I am planning to, but have no clue how , so I definitely plan to take a course. Plus hospitals usually have a lactation consultant to help while you are there.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I start my BF classes on Tuesday night, at St. Catherine's

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I took a BF class through my hospital, it was great and it helped me a lot, plus I would talk to a LC after you have the baby.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

YES!!!!! Take a class, I had DD #1 three weeks early and did not get to take my class and It was a struggle. Luckily for me the person giving the class was a nurse in Labor and Delivery at the hospital I delivered at. (I had Lamaze with her too) She found out I was there and came in and gave me a quick lesson. She came to my house after too, because I was struggling, thank god for her!

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I took one through CFA and felt it was very informative. I also took it because I was on the fence about BF but knew I wanted to try it, I felt not only the info I got but the passion of the teacher (who doesnt PUSH BF but makes it clear you can work within your desires to BF) really made me eager to try it.

I took the class with my best friend who is due with #2 in February. She felt the class was really informative because although she tried to feed her DS she had issues and the teacher really was helpful in trying to give her ways to work around the issues she had with #1.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I am going to sign up for one through my hospital...St.Charles

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I am signed up for one that is an add-on to our birthing class. It is at Realbirth in Manhattan.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I REALLY recommend you getting as much info as possible.

I took a free class at BRU and read a couple of books.

Get a couple of numbers for LC. Even if you take a class, you will have MILLIONS of questions that will arise when you are home with DC. Ask as many Q as possible in the hospital.

I was lucky that DS latched on right away but I still had Qs about his feeding and why he was eating every hour at 2 weeks PP. Sometimes it's hard to relate what you learned/read with an actual situation with a few days/weeks old baby and you are clueless and by yourself at home.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

It probably would help but I never took it. I just read ALOT about BFing and it felt natural to me right away.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I did take a class through Winthrop Hospital (where I delivered) and I felt so-so about it. I got some decent information that I may not have gotten otherwise, but the instructor made it seem like if you did not know *exactly* how to BF that it would be impossible. I did not love her attitude, and even with the class I had better success utilizing the LC after DS was born.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I reada lot before DS. DH and I were scheduled to take a class but DS came before we made it to the class. I would have found it to be very helpful. You can never over prepare. I read a lot too. I had a bfing pamphlet handy next to my bed at all times.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I didnt BF with my first. I took a class when i was PG with my second, it was VERY helpful. There was so much i didnt know. Unfortunately, the pain was too much for me to bare so i only BF for 2 weeks, non the less, i would definitly take one.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

Yes yes yes!!

It's not nearly as natural and intuitive as you'd think.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I did not, but I had round the clock LC attention in the hospital.

I think the hardest thing is getting a good latch, you won't know how to fix it until the baby is here.

Re: If I plan on trying the BF thing, should I take a class before hand??

I took one at Stony Brook Hospital and it was definately informative. Highly recommend taking one!