Breast feeding class

I wasn't actually planning to take a formal breast feeding class. I figured the nurses in the hospital would help me, plus I plan to have a lactation consultant visit me when I first return home from the hospital.
Is that enough? Or should I really take a BF class if I plan to breast feed?

Re: Breast feeding class

I obviously don't have experience breastfeeding yet, but I did go to a class a few weeks ago and I'm very glad I went. I left with a much better idea of what to expect and was able to develop a plan. Originally I thought I would pump and breastfeed from day 1 so that my DH could feed the baby too. I learned at the class that the double electric pump (like the medala I'm getting) is for maintaining a supply, not building- so I won't be using it for at least the first 4-6 weeks. My plan is to exclusively breastfeed until then and introduce bottles very gradually at that 4-6 week mark. My DH went too (most people there had their husbands with them) so they better know what to expect as well and how to be supportive. We picked up a ton of knowledge over the 2 1/2 hours as far as techniques, overcoming obstacles, etc. I definitely feel more prepared and empowered after attending and highly recommend it!

Re: Breast feeding class

I just went to a breastfeeding class last night. I thought it was fantastic. It was very informative and they went over pretty much everything in terms of care, how to do it etc. They also gave website information for support groups. Although I think a lactation consultant can help you , I believed this class was very thorough so I definitely recommend if this is your first time. That way you also know what to expect whereas when you already have your baby and lets say you are having some sort of difficulty you will be a little nervous and more focus on that issue that even when the lactation consultant might train you your mind will not be focus on gathering all the information you can get. I thought it was helpful for me and I do recommend to those ladies who are trying to breastfeed.

Re: Breast feeding class

I have a friend who teaches classes and she gave me a private class at my home. I am very glad I did it, because I had no clue what to expect. It was very informative.

Re: Breast feeding class

I'm on the fence about taking classes too...it seems like it will be really helpful though.

For those who took one, did you do it at the hospital?

Re: Breast feeding class

Re: Breast feeding class

We had a lactation counselor (different from an IBCLC so be careful) come to our house to do a class with us. It was informative but in the end totally didn;t prepare me for what breastfeeding was actually like. I feel like it's a bit like learning to play basketball by reading a book. It can't hurt and it might make you feel like you know more about it, but as for actually DOING it I didnt find it helpful.

Also, I would find out how pro breastfeeding your hospital is. Mine wasnt great and it made my start with BFing even more difficult than it needed to be.

If you meet with a Lactation consultant, make sure that they are an IBCLC. Like I said, we met with a counselor and it wasnt great. Actually come to think of it, the LC wasnt great either lol. It wasn;t until I saw a pediatrician specializing in breastfeeding that we got the help we needed and things improved drastically!

Her name is Dr. Lauren Macaluso--she's in New Hyde Park and INCREDIBLE!

Good luck!

Re: Breast feeding class

I didn't take any classes but I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and it was my bible in the early days. I read it before giving birth, so I was prepared, and found it even more helpful than the nurses in the hospital. I went on the BF 2+ years. Good luck! :D

Re: Breast feeding class

I took a breastfeeding class through my hospital and it was great! Honestly, I don't think I would have been as successful with bf if I did not take it. There were a lot of things I did not know that I learned from this class. It helped so much that I really didn't need any help from the nurses once ds was born.

Re: Breast feeding class

Re: Breast feeding class

I took a breastfeeding class prior to having DD. it was offered through Stony Brook for free, where I was delivering. I found the class extremely informative and I'm really glad I went. I was on the fence about even trying to breastfeeding, and I learned a lot in that class that helped me with my decision. DH came too and even he found it helpful and learned a few things. I would recommend it, especially if it's free.