Did you take any classes during pregnancy/early parenthood?
We just signed up for our 5 session birth preparation (lamaze) class series, but are curious if we should load up on any more. I'm interested in a breastfeeding class, as well as one on basic infant care (swaddling, diapering, feeding, establishing sleep/wake routines, etc)
If you took any formal courses in preparation, do you feel they were worth the money, and helpful for those first few months?
grape / 99 posts
We took a one all day intensive lamaze class. I thought it was informative. It helped DH prepare because he didn't really know what to expect.
As for additional courses, I don't feel that we needed any. This was our first and the nurses were great at teaching us what we needed to know. The first few days on our own, we did ok, it's a lot of trial and error to figure out what works for you and your baby.
cantaloupe / 6397 posts
We took a birthing class which ended up being useless because my labor was so intense and not textbook. We couldn't apply any of what we learned!!! I did enjoy the class though so I wouldn't say it was a total waste...
cantaloupe / 6206 posts
We took a childbirth class, infant care, and I'm taking breastfeeding on Sunday. Infant care was mostly useless but having made it to 35 without ever changing a diaper, it was more for comfort that anything else. Our doula recommended the bfing class so ill let you know how it goes.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I took childbirth, infant care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. I think the only one I could have done without was infant care. It was pretty easy, self explanatory things. But since I have never cared for a baby before I just felt better knowing that I took it.
pomegranate / 3516 posts
We took childbirth, infant care, breastfeeding, and CPR. Infant care probably wasn't totally necessary but we learned a few little things that helped. Also, I'm still glad we took childbirth classes but I couldn't remember a lot of what we learned once I was actually in labor and when DH would try to help me, I'd snap at him because I was trying to focus on breathing (at all, not the techniques the taught us) and getting through each contraction.
apricot / 468 posts
We took infant CPR, infant care, and a breastfeeding course. I wasn't able to breastfeed, but the infant care and CPR course were definitely worth it. I was told my many friends that the childbirth class was a waste of time, so I skipped that one at our hospital. We did take a hospital tour though, which I thought was beneficial.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Hubby and I are enrolled in preparing for childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. We're skipping infant care. Hopefully the other courses are informative and useful!
papaya / 10473 posts
I am enrolled in the Bradley Method courses. The first several focus on the labor and delivery process, but the last couple are on infant care and breastfeeding. I love them!
honeydew / 7586 posts
I signed up for a breastfeeding class at the hospital and plan to take babycenters's free childbirth class online. My mom is a nurse and brother is a paramedic so they are going to train me in first aid/CPR.
pomelo / 5524 posts
We took a child birth class that was 5 nights for 2 hours/night. We probably could have done without it. While it was helpful to learn all about the process for DH, it wasn't very useful for me when I actually went into labor. I wish I would have signed up for a first aid/CPR course instead. I need to get on that!
pear / 1510 posts
We did childbirth and breastfeeding. By the time we finished both, DH commented on just how many vaginas and boobs he'd seen the past few weeks. It was pretty funny. The look on his face during the first birthing video was hilarious. I think both classes were helpful and I still remember some snippets each day. When it comes to breastfeeding, our instructor told us that in order to care for our nipples, "Never put 'em away wet." I think of that phrase almost every single time I finish nursing or pumping.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I'm signed up for a 1 day birthing class at our hospital so far. I'm still on the fence about breastfeeding, infant care, and first aid classes-- I kind of want to take them all, but I know DH isn't super thrilled about taking any and we do need to pay for them, so I'm trying to decide which to take. Our hospital offers a Happiest Baby class, which I kind of would like to take, even though the midwife told me I could just watch the DVD... Maybe I should get it out of the library now, actually.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments