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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the opinions are meant to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. You should always consult your healthcare provider.


Is a Breastfeeding Class Really Necessary?

Is A Breastfeeding Class Really NecessaryBefore having a child, a lot of parents like to take classes to help them prepare for the brand new baby they are going to be bringing into this world. One class most hospitals and other facilities offer is a breastfeeding class.

It’s usually a low cost class, one or two nights, that explains nearly all of the details of breastfeeding. But are these classes really necessary? Won’t breastfeeding come naturally? These may be some questions you are asking yourself, so here is a little information about breastfeeding classes to help you answer those questions.

What Will You Learn At a Breastfeeding Class?

Each breastfeeding class will vary a little bit, but here are some things you might learn:

  • Different breastfeeding positions
  • How to get a correct latch
  • How often a newborn will need to nurse
  • Places to comfortably breastfeed
  • How to know if your baby is getting enough milk
  • How to use a breast pump
  • Breastfeeding products and their uses
  • Breastfeeding tips for the working mother
  • Ways that the support system can help mom with breastfeeding
  • Troubleshooting

Other Information You May Get at a Breastfeeding Class

  • The contact information for your hospital’s Lactation Consultants
  • Information on a local breastfeeding support group if one is available
  • Paperwork with information you learned in the class for you to take home to look back at when needed.
  • Free samples of breastfeeding products like nipple butter!

My Experience with a Breastfeeding Class

With both of my sons, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. With my first son I didn’t take a breastfeeding class. I read some information in books and talked to a few other moms about it, but that was about all the research I did on breastfeeding before I had my first baby. When my son was born I didn’t realize how much time and energy breastfeeding really took! I honestly felt clueless once we left the hospital! I ended up pumping and giving him a bottle most of the time and quit all together when he was 4 months old.

When I got pregnant again I was determined to give breastfeeding another go. I wanted to try harder and last longer this time around, so my husband and I decided to take a breastfeeding class together.

We both learned so much! Even my husband learned a lot. He was so supportive of my decision to breastfeed after taking the class. After we took the class we were so glad we did! When my youngest son was born he was breastfed immediately and we went on to breastfeed for the next 14 months. I never once used formula and very rarely pumped. I give a lot of credit for our breastfeeding success to the class that I took while I was still pregnant.

A breastfeeding class is a great place to learn almost everything you need to know about breastfeeding and to find a local support group of other nursing moms. While you may feel that a breastfeeding class is not necessary for you, I’d be willing to bet that if you take one you’ll learn something new and refresh your memory on things you already know about breastfeeding.

Have you taken a breastfeeding class? Did you find it beneficial?

Are you an expecting mom planning to take a class? What are you most hoping to learn from the class?


Michelle is the mommy behind the blog The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom! She is a stay-at-home mom to two small boys, ages 3 and 1. She loves to write about breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and her crazy life as a mommy of two! 

 

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