ABA Breastfeeding classes?

[blessedatlast]

Anyone done them? They are holding one locally at the end of October, I'll be about 30wks by then. Just wondering if it's worth it. It's $85 which include membership to ABA which i was going to get anyway so I'm totally happy to pay that, just don't want to waste my time.. (This is assuming I'm not on strict bedrest!)

[Amaunet]

I did one and really enjoyed it and found it helpful, worth the money IMO

[Jellybean29]

Cheaper than a years supply of formula :P So worth it!

[blessedatlast]

Cool I want to pay as late as possible, so I make the most of membership when Bub is actually here. I think I'll get a 2yr membership for $100 then just pay $20 for the class

[OceanPrincess]

I'm a trainee breastfeeding counsellor with ABA and I'll be helping to run a BEC in the middle of October! I'm very excited, its my first one!

But from what I have heard from the other counsellors in our group, they are always highly successful - well, we get lots of positive feedback and the classes are always almost full. I can't speak for any of the post-birth success rates type things, but it cannot hurt.

Breastfeeding is a skill that needs to be learned by mother and baby - to some mothers and babies, it comes easily. To others, it doesn't. So in case you, or Button fall into the latter category, I'd say go for it.

If nothing else you get your ABA membership out of it and a chance to meet some other soon-to-be-mums!

PS - I can't believe you'll be 30wks in October!!!!

[blessedatlast]

If nothing else you get your ABA membership out of it and a chance to meet some other soon-to-be-mums!

My thoughts exactly!!

[LionsandBears]

We went and thought it was fabulous. I recommend your DP doing it with you. BF success depends a lot on partner support.
Also, there's nothing like a crocheted booby

[blessedatlast]

I recommend your DP doing it with you.

That is the funniest thing I've heard.. I never considered for a second he would be into it, but I just asked him and he said "expletive NO!!" When I said why he said "Umm, cos I don't have boobs to feed with.. That's your stuff" I told him he should come for support and he said he can support me without going to a class. I told him that education is important to support me, he said I can educate him when I get home from the class.

So nah, I'll be going on my own.. lol

ETA: What's with the crocheted booby??

[HotI]

Also, there's nothing like a crocheted booby

the person running my class kept dropping her crocheted booby and it would roll across the table or floor. made me giggle

[wysiwyg]

I did not attend one as did not realise existed, but have been along as a demo mum (so in my area they get mums in to demonstrate Breastfeeding as lots of people have not seen it close up, and the mums answer questions and chat over afternoon tea) and have just helped out at another and the feedback I have heard is always extremely positive.

[organic-girl]

I benefited SO much from the class and the book is a BIBLE!!! it was my 2nd baby too, FF the first due to medical complications.


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Leah and Dan
Lucy 5
Minnie 2
Pippi due 29 sept

YOU are what YOU eat!

[human bean]

I highly recommend it too - and it would be great if you could convince your DP to go too as they do cover what he can do to help and support you and bub.

My DH kept saying he didn't want to go because he'd be embarrassed seeing another woman's breasts. I flippantly said 'it's not like they have a real life demo or anything' HA! When the instructor announced she'd be joining us and placed a chair for her right near ours I think DH pretty much killed me with his eyes right there and then

By the time he got to practising with his own doll he just went with the flow!

[blessedatlast]

There is no way DF would go.. And practise with the doll.. Oh I'd LOVE to see the look on DF's face then!! I am quite happy to go on my own. It sounds like it will be good..

[luna moth]

There is no way DF would go.. And practise with the doll.. Oh I'd LOVE to see the look on DF's face then!! I am quite happy to go on my own. It sounds like it will be good..

Definitely try to get him along. Only 3 mums in our class of 16 didn't bring partners. It made a huge difference to my partner's ability to support me. The classes are well worth it.

[belfie]

yeah I agree, encourage DF if you can. We went to one second time around (after a very difficult BF'ing r/ship first time - EE'ed instead). My DH was confident he knew EVERYTHING and for sure didn't need to attend, after all it's all about the boobs right? But I convinced him, and while there were definitely bits we both knew... we both came away saying... oh boy , we learned some crucial stuff!! He said he learned more about how to support me, that he hadn't realised he didn't know IYKWIM.