if you breastfeed, did you take a breastfeeding class while pregnant? if so, did it help? if not, do you wish you would have? i'm just trying to figure out if it will be worth my time! my hospital is staffed with lactation consultants, so i'll have that one-on-one time with an lc once our lo is born, but i'm wondering if i should also go ahead and take a class now. thoughts?
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I never took an actual class, but was signed up for one but just couldn't make it in the end. However, our birthing class touched on the subject a bit so that helped. So I guess I don't have a real clear answer, I didn't take the class and was fine, and things are going well...but I was planning to take the class. You could always join a breastfeeding support group (kellymom mother to mother breastfeeding support) on Facebook is a GREAT group and I highly recommend it.
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I took a class but I'm honestly not sure how much it helped. What really helped me was meeting with a lactation consultant. When I went to the class before LO was born it was hard to really know how things would affect us since I had no practical experience.
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I didn't take a class, but I don't think it really would have helped. I think it wouldn't have really clicked until LO was born and I was actually trying to breastfeed. Just make sure you meet with an LC/get one on one help and I'm sure that will be fine!
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I took a group class with DH and it was really helpful. I learned a lot of things I didn't know!
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I took a class and I'm so glad I did! It made a huge difference in how prepared I was before LO was born. It was taught by one of the hospital's LC.
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I didn't, and I don't think it would have helped. I feel like breastfeeding is one of those things that you just can't describe/figure out without hands on experience. But definitely take advantage of LCs and classes afterwards!
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thanks everyone! i might just make good use of the LC at the hospital, and then enroll in a class after she's born if necessary.
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I took a class and I don't think it hurt. The lactation consultants at the hospital were great!
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I did take classes and it helped but it was really learn on the job for me!
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I took the class with DH and I think it was beneficial. It was good to get information ahead of time, then get it repeated or reminded once I was in the hospital. Based on my experience with the LC's in the hospital, there was a lot of stuff in the class that the LCs didn't cover - they just addressed specific issues I was having. I go to two BFing support groups, and they are really great. An LC leads both of the meetings, but there is plenty of advice and support from the other moms who have been there or are going through the same things.
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i did not. but i didn't take any prebaby classes. I do think though looking back a breastfeeding class might of helped with the struggles the first few weeks.
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I took one as part of our childbirth classes. The entire class seemed to be devoted entirely to lay-back nursing, which I found to be completely impractical (especially if you ever want to nurse in public) and not very easy to do since I had a premie who had latch issues. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I went to meet with the LC weeks after LO was born and they pushed the same technique.
Trial and error and lots of websites were my biggest help/support. -
I am taking the class this Saturday, but I will also meet with a lactation consultant before I am discharged and also 2 days after going home.
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Take the class beforehand if you can! Once LO is here your mind will be foggy from hormones, lack of sleep and all the emotions plus it may not be so easy to get out of the house those first few weeks. The more informed you (and your DH) are beforehand the better.
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I took a class and it wasn't much help honestly, just a nurse reading from a pamphlet. Not much info I hadn't read on my own previously.
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We tried to, but our class ended up being rescheduled because the LC was sick and then our LO came early. Since LO was born on a Saturday, the LC didn't come to see us until Monday before we were discharged. By that time I had been trying to feed for two days with a bad latch which caused blisters and cracks in my nipples and made feeding super painful. If I had been able to take the class I might have recognized what was going on earlier.
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I did take a class and I ended up not being able to breastfeed.... but I still loved the class! One thing it did really encourage me to do was skin on skin right after LO was born, and I'm so glad for that.
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I didn't take a class, but our doula offered BFing support. She also lent me a video by Dr Jack Newman that showed real women learning to latch newborns and that really helped me. Seeing it as opposed to reading or being taught about it was what made the biggest difference for me.
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I am planning on taking a class. While it might or might not help, I want to take it more so DH has an idea of what to expect and what he can do in support.
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@mamabolt: That brings up a good point. Not all BFing classes are the same. Mine met three hours on Monday night for three weeks. An LC led the class. She gave us handouts, but she also had a presentation, videos, props, and personal stories.
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Take the class and bring DH! BF success rates increase significantly for women that are prepared and know what to expect. The class really helped me understand a good latch vs a bad latch, differnt nursing positions, how often to nurse, what to expect, etc. And just as importantly, the class tought DH about BF (how to be a supportive partner, what to expect, etc).
Most hospitals do not have LCs 7 days a week, so if LO is born late on a Friday, you might not see a LC before you are discharged.
The class I attended was awesome. The head LC at the hospital tought the class. She was very supportive, encouraging, and knowledgable. She covered the basics, common BF challenges/mistakes, hopital BF policies/support, free BF resources in the community, how often to feed, a good latch, partner support, and on and on. We also watched a video (extremely helpful)!
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I didn't take a class but I read a lot and was well informed before the birth. Then utilized the LC. We had a bunch of issues getting started but being stubborn about making it work (because of all I had read) + supportive DH and supportive pediatrician made it work for us.
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I took classes but it was so-so so I am not sure if it makes a huge difference if I didn't go. I think the thing that really helped was I went to Dr. Jack Newman's talk when he came to our city. It was kinda expensive ($20 for 2 hours of talk, and my husband and I went together so it was $40) and it got boring toward the end, but I was so glad I did it because he talked about and shows video on correct latching ....etc. I thought about that talk every time I breastfed.
The other thing that really helped was the lactation consultant we hired to visit our home. I don't think I would be able to do it without her tips. She taught me how to "protect the nipple" and help LO latch on using my thumb. Breastfeeding didn't hurt nor was it scary anymore after she left!
I wish the class, or someone, would have warned me about engorgement when milk first came in. I had a horrible time, it hurted so bad I thought I was going to die!
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I didn't take any classes. Honestly I wish I had. I delivered DS at a hospital that is very Pro-breastfeeding and there was plently of people there to help me. I had so many resources avaliable to me from the hospital. DS was born with a severe tongue-tie so he couldn't latch but they gave me really great pointers. After we got his tongue clipped the hospital helped me get him to latch. We did learn later that he has a weak suck. I have been pumping since day one for him (I exclusively pump because of his issues). The people at the hospital were really helpful when it came to pumping too.
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I took a class but have yet to breastfeed since I'm still pregnant. I did find it helpful, though. But, with that said I kind of feel like its one of those things you have to jump in feet first and just DO. I plan on taking full advantage of the lactation consultants at the hospital.
One of my best friends accidentally missed her BF class and is doing just fine, though!
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