If you do your own reading and plan to meet with a lactation consultant, do you think a breastfeeding course is necessary?
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Would it be before or after the baby is born? Afterward, it might be a good idea. Beforehand, I think all the theory in the world doesn't really compare to the actual experience. Also, it kind of depends on how good your lactation consultant is. I met with one in the hospital and she was terrible. My mom is the one that helped me actually have success with breastfeeding.
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I was thinking before. Yeah, my sister also had a horrible lactation experience. The lady was unhelpful to say the least. Hmmm..maybe I should think more about after the baby is born.
Thanks, Rock n Roll. -
I loved my breastfeeding class. I do think it helps to take it. I like being overly prepared though, and I feel like after you give birth your so exhausted it's nice to not have to take in a lot of new information.
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Though my husband didn't think it was all that helpful just confirming information I'd read and knowing what to do was very helpful to me. The lactation consultants that visited me in the hospital asked if I'd had a class because I wasn't needing them so it did make a difference for me. I'd recommend taking one to a new mother.
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My personal experience was that it was more helpful after baby was born. Because before you have the kid it seems so stratightforward and manageable, and then you have the kid and all sorts of things are different than you expect. I felt so prepared before I gave birth, and as soon as they sent me home to do it myself I felt completly lost! So I'd recommend meeting the consulant afteer and then deciding if you need additional support.
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The two hospitals I delivered at had free bf'ing classes for moms and their newborns after delivery, during their postpartum stay. If your hospital has this, in conjunction with doing your own research and an LC visit, a class while you're pregnant isn't totally necessary IMHO.
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I took the breastfeeding course at my hospital before my baby was born, and I honestly didn't learn that much. Learning information online and reading The Nursing Mother's Companion was more helpful. I do think that a breastfeeding course after your LO is born would be beneficial.
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I took a class before LO was born, and honestly, I didn't learn anything that I hadn't already read in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I felt very prepared to breastfeed - I was totally breastfeeding book-smart. But we had a terrible time breastfeeding at first. I worked with 2 different LCs in the hospital, which helped a little, but when we were still having problems at 2 weeks, I hired an LC to work with me at my home. Best decision ever. IMO, read up on breastfeeding prior to birth. Save the money you would spend on a class and put it toward hiring an LC if you end up having problems.
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Thanks everyone, all good advice!
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9 comments