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01-10-2013 at 12:52 PM
aherbert86
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breastfeeding classes

Ok, I think this is the last question that I have today... Has anyone attended these classes? I asked about them at my last checkup and was told that our hospital doesn't offer them & that there is 'plenty of literature' on the subject. I would much rather have some in-person training since it's such a huge deal- will I get enough info from a book??

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01-10-2013 at 12:55 PM
mainerocks
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Personally, I think reading lots beforehand is all you need. The in person stuff becomes important once the baby is here. I utilized the lactation consultant right off the bat at the hospital. (It was free to me).

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01-10-2013 at 12:55 PM
llbta85
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I did, but honestly I found the consult meeting with a lactation specialist once DS was a few days old much more helpful. 

 
01-10-2013 at 1:13 PM
Erinm278
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My best friend's mother (who was like a second mom to me) is a lactation consultant.  I will be having her teach/guide me and she will be setting me up with everything I need.  If I didn't have her I'm not sure I would seek help other than family and literature.  I'm very happy to have her!

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01-10-2013 at 1:15 PM
lisa5201
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I cannot stress enough how important I think these classes are! This is my one big piece of advice to expectant women who plan to breastfeed, GO TO A CLASS! Yes, it's ideal when you have an actual baby, but if breastfeeding is important to you, then I would absolutely take it very seriously and seek out a class pre-baby. La Leche Leauge meetings are free and there are often expectant women as well as parents with kids of all ages. I had lots of problems in the beginning, and I would say for most women there is a learning curve. Anything to make it easier and help you stick to it is awesome in my book. Also, you will already have a contact and a place to go to seek help, advice, camaraderie. You and your baby's needs will change over the course of the bf'ing experience and it's nice to have somewhere to turn. 

I did go to a few Le Leche meetings, but attended also the hospital's ongoing lactation meetings (also free) and held twice monthly.

The information was invaluable. I am a huge reader and absolutely did not find reading comparable to hearing real life experience and being able to  talk and ask questions in real life. Reading is awesome, the classes are much better.

 I had a birth center birth, so no lactation consultant on hand for me. I also had lots of unanticipated BF'ing problems. It was essential for me to have a support group and a place to go for questions and answers.

 Check with any hospitals within driving distance. The hospital I attended classes at was not where I delivered. Also, i'm sure you can find a local LLL meeting 


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01-10-2013 at 1:17 PM
diana.fili...
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I took my husband and we both attended a breast feeding class in preparation for DD.  I learned very little if anything.  My DH learned a LOT.  I valued the support he offered me for having gone to the class.  For instance, it stuck in his head that I would be thirsty and that one way he could support me was to make sure I had a drink of water whenever I was nursing.  GODSEND ;-)  He brought me my water bottle every time he even thought I was going to nurse for the first few weeks.  I needed it too; I felt like I had crossed a desert when I would nurse that first time, I was so thirsty.

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01-10-2013 at 1:19 PM
autumnmich...
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Take the class...and take your husband/boyfriend/significant other.  There was a ton of information that I didn't know and DH knew even less.  It was great to do it together and he was able to help me more since he had knowledge too.  BFing is tough so anything you can do to help yourself prepare is great.  Good luck!

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01-10-2013 at 1:23 PM
bhawk0527
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DH and I both took the class. So very helpful! Then having the literature they give you plus a book I bought was good backup.


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01-10-2013 at 1:25 PM
MommyLizzy
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I did like my class, but at the time I didn't know anything about breastfeeding. I think any education is better than not doing it. You might only learn one thing, but its more than you knew before.

Books are great but I prefer PowerPoint and lots of question being asked to a teacher.

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01-10-2013 at 1:31 PM
aherbert86
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Here's my problem: I would love to take a bfing class, which is why I asked about it so early, but we only have one hospital here in town and the closest one is a ways away- not possible to take any classes with the hours that I work. Which really sucks because it's something I'm interested in and would be beneficial...I'll check into the La Leche League and hope we have one near me!

 If not, any recommended books on the subject??


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01-10-2013 at 1:42 PM
Mommy2BEL
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My husband and I took the couples breast feeding class last weekend and loved it!  It was so helpful for both of us and we learned a lot.  It was part video and part instruction with hands on learning with the baby dolls...that part was a little weird but over all I would highly suggest taking these classes.  I've heard that the lactation consultants at our hospital are very rigid and somewhat rude...I dont usually do well with people like.  We wanted to be pro-active in learning and we found it to be great.  :)

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01-10-2013 at 2:07 PM
homebird
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I benefitted more from a class than I did from reading. It was helpful to be able to talk to a lactation nurse, ask questions, etc. Plus I made a contact with the instructor, so when I had trouble after DD was born I could contact her.

It's a shame your hospital is so dismissive about it.


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01-10-2013 at 2:09 PM
homebird
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Ditto pp that talk about taking your spouse/so with you. H said he really liked it because it helped him understand what I would be going through and how he could help me with the process. It helped him feel more involved.

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01-10-2013 at 2:39 PM
boneslvr
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i personally didn't learn anything from the class, BUT, i do recommend them because my husband learned a TON! it was really beneficial for him!

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01-10-2013 at 2:55 PM
aherbert86
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It really is a shame but our hospital sucks all around...I really wish we had a different one but what can you do? Love my doctor's office, can't stand the hospital lol!! I will look into some books that will help my husband as well- thanks


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01-10-2013 at 3:56 PM
nikip6454
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Check with the LLL, they may be able to suggest another site for classes.  In my area the hospitals, some clinics and even a few stores have classes.  BRU offers a saturday class every once and awile-it is put on by Medela but I have heard that it is very helpful.  A few of the cloth diapering specialty tores also have BFing classes.

 I didn't take a class and I think it would have been helpful, especially for DH.


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01-10-2013 at 4:50 PM
Bizbitty
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I also asked my OB about these classes, and there are some provided with the hospital where I am giving birth, however they don't seem as involved and informative (and are actually more expensive!) than classes at another hospital.  I found that if you shop around at different hospitals, many do not require you to actually give birth their in order to attend classes.  Just a thought.
 
01-10-2013 at 5:47 PM
emolm
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We gave a local breastfeeding support group that isn't Le Leche League so even if you don't have LLL, it's likely there is some sort of group. Try looking on Facebook.

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01-10-2013 at 8:18 PM
Mrs. D S
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Best tip from me regarding breast feeding is to bring baby to the breast, and aim to hit the roof of babys mouth with your nipple.  Good luck it's totally worth sticking with it.

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01-11-2013 at 7:04 AM
dalzien
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I would also recommend a class. Reading about it just isn't the same as "seeing it". If you are unable to attend a class I know that Baby Center has some excellent videos on breast feeding that I've book marked for when baby arrives. The video goes over proper positioning (in 3 different positions), how to ensure a proper latch, how to readjust if the latch is not working, and some common "trouble shooting".
 
01-11-2013 at 9:50 AM
evelyntayl...
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Try contacting your local La Leche League to see if there are classes offered in your area. I did not take a class last time and we had so many issues, despite our hospital having an incredible BFing program and seeing an LC weekly. I wish I had taken the classes. A great book is The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

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01-11-2013 at 11:16 AM
Mrs.CJ
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Not sure if this is an option in your area, but our OB offers classes also and they do have them open to non-patients. We are taking their classes and the hospitals because I would rather hear the same information twice. You may want to call other OB offices to see if they offer classes and accept non-patients.

 

01-11-2013 at 1:20 PM
kanga1622W...
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I went to a 3 hour class at the WIC office (it was open to non-WIC recipients). It was mostly information I had picked up through reading but they had models to show what to look for with inverted/flat nipples (which I ended up having). She also had dolls and came around to show us each position just to give a better idea about how your arms were than just seeing it in a book. It might help you network with some other soon to be moms and give you a bit of a support system if you are having troubles. Since ours was taught by the WIC nurse (and county health nurse), she offered to have any of us come into the office at any time for weight checks if we were at all nervous about how much baby was eating. She was also open to helping us with latch/positioning issues if we had them after delivery.

 

For one evening, it was beneficial (and DH attended too as the only guy in the group). I nursed DS for 27 months and plan to nurse baby #2 when he or she arrives for a similar length of time. 

 
01-11-2013 at 5:18 PM
aherbert86
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All great advice! I think i'm going to check out The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and see if there is a bf'ing group here in town (besides the hospital), thanks ladies


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01-14-2013 at 11:17 PM
shoptilyou...
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I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital, and our birthing class went over breastfeeding basics...

But when I held my newborn the first time, I was just "feeling the glow" or something, because all that stuff went out the window! I seriously forgot everything they told me!! I just held her, and I sort of mumbled, ok, so, um, how do I do this...?

The maternity nurse was really sweet, though, and she gave me a crash course in nursing. I used her technique for a long time, and I still hardly remember the stuff from those classes. 

 
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