Did you take a BF'ing class while pregnant? Was it worth it?

[marigold91]

Hi all!

As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy, I realized that I don't have much time left to take a breastfeeding class. There aren't many options where I live, and all the times they offer would require me to really rearrange my schedule. Is it worth it to take these classes?

This is my second child, but my first was formula fed, and I really want to breastfeed this go around. I have read a few books on breastfeeding, so I'm not coming in totally blind, but still don't feel 100% confident!

Did you take a class? Was it worth it to you? If not, is there something else you would recommend (like a certain book, etc)?

Thanks!

 

[staralfur]

My prenatal classes included a bit of stuff on breastfeeding but honestly I didn't find it that helpful or relevant. I think it's great (and sometimes essential) to go into nursing with at least some idea of what you can expect, newborn behaviour, etc. but I also think it's one of those things you don't quite get completely until you're actually doing it.

I would say the biggest thing to educate yourself about is clusterfeeding/newborn feeding behaviour as that seems to be where most people panic (including myself).

Kellymom (kellymom.com) is a great online resource, and of course this forum!

 

[TTCBean]

I'd recommend the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Helped me a LOT. Look in your area for lactation consultants. I found one through the local hospital who saved my BFing relationship (took 9 weeks to get it right)!!!

I took a breastfeeding class and it didn't help much at all honestly. I learned some things here and there (funny when I look back all I can remember is the chart she showed us with different breastfeeding poops lol), but you need to actually do it, experience it, etc to actually learn anything. It didn't help that I ended up hiring the consultant who taught the class and she ended up giving me terrible advice that ended up in me being hospitalized with terrible mastitis! Make sure your advisers are competent.

 

[MamaBunny2]

YES and YES! This is my third child and my first successful time breastfeeding and I owe it all to gaining as much knowledge as I possibly could. I took the breastfeeding class and also did A TON of research on here, Google and Facebook support groups.

It was still stressful and difficult at times the first few weeks after baby was born BUT all of that knowledge gave me the strength to continue forward and it was SO worth it! Good luck!

 

[spicyorange]

I did but the main thing I took away was if your struggling it it's painful get help! It's so important to get problems sorted. Most people can feed with the right support.Don't suffer in silence, or give up without getting help.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I attended a breastfeeding class and didn't find it that helpful once I had the baby as it was a lot harder than expected and they didn't really mention many of the obstacles you can face. It was quite helpful for finding out about different breastfeeding positions but that was about it.

Kellymom website is very helpful

 

[RaquelDee]

I didn't go to a class and it didn't have any impact on breastfeeding for me, we are going strong four months in. I think it really depends on your baby and you, and it's so highly individualised for each mother and child, that a class offering general advice can only do so much. Having said that, it's probably a good idea to learn a bit about things like cluster feeding and growth spurts, because they can freak you out when they happen. I second the recommendation of the kellymom website.

 

[MindUtopia]

I actually took two and no neither was very helpful. They did teach a bit about good and bad latches, so like I knew what those looked like. But there wasn't a whole lot of really practical information on how to actually deal with a problem. And when problems occur - and when they did occur - what I really needed was one-on-one individual support. Whipping out a book and looking at a picture was pretty useless as was getting out the materials from the classes. I knew what my daughter should have been doing, but she couldn't do it and there wasn't really any information in what we learned in the class to fix that. We still had a lot of struggles, but the most helpful thing I did was get help from a BF counselor once she was here and have them observe feeds and make adjustments. I felt both classes were mostly about trying to convince you why breastfeeding was a good thing to do. I totally bought into that already. What I needed was just support and one-on-one time and I didn't get that from there. What I would recommend instead though is getting the names and contact details for local BF counselors, find out where the BF groups are, make plans to go right away the first week after your baby is born so you get really connected with a support network.

 

[MamaBunny2]

My personal recommendation for any mother that is new to breastfeeding is to visit with a lactation consultant, even before baby is born if you can. While you are in the hospital don't be afraid to ask for help from the LC on duty. One of my local LCs taught the breastfeeding basics class both my OH and I attended and she was available while I was at the hospital as well. I even called and visited both LCs at the hospital after returning home for weight checks and to evaluate baby's latch, etc. Also, if you do attend a class I recommend involving your partner as well. Educate as many family members as you can, whether they will be watching your LO or not. Having as much support as possible is beneficial. My OH is my biggest support person... he is educated on breastfeeding, understands the process and has encouraged and helped me through the rough times.

 

[BostonGal]

I'm not sure a class would be very helpful. I suggest identifying people and professionals around you that you can turn to if you need breastfeeding help after the baby is born. It is very difficult to find support when you are in the midst of a problem with a newborn. Online sources are great, but you need to know where to go to get hands on support (if you need it) and where to get prescription creams, like APNO, if your nipples are taking a beating. Your doctor and pediatrician may have a list of local resources for you.

 

[Mushymilkfor2]

I took one with my first, and at the time I thought it was the most benificial class I had taken. But once I actually started to breastfeed it really all became pointless. At times even made me feel like I wasn't made for breastfeeding. She made it seem like it was as easy as breathing and that it should come as second nature to mothers and baby. While that might be true to some, it was not true for me or my baby.

In the end, I wish I hadn't taken the class at all. I learned way more from lactation consultants and doing than a class could have ever taught me.