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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!)
I did one and really enjoyed it and found it helpful, worth the money IMO :)
Cheaper than a years supply of formula :P So worth it!
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 :)
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!!!!
My thoughts exactly!!:
If nothing else you get your ABA membership out of it and a chance to meet some other soon-to-be-mums!
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 :)
:rofl: 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.:
I recommend your DP doing it with you.
So nah, I'll be going on my own.. lol
ETA: What's with the crocheted booby??
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.
the person running my class kept dropping her crocheted booby and it would roll across the table or floor. made me giggle:
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!
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 :rofl:
By the time he got to practising with his own doll he just went with the flow!
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.:
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.
Your DF should go. I haven't done the class, but my firned did and said there was a lot of useful info on what's normal in the early weeks and about what dads can do to help out.
Also, as others have pointed out, partner support is a major factor in success rates for mothers. He needs to get on board with this. He doesn't have to pretend to breastfeed or anything, but having 2 of you taking in information could prove really useful down the track when your'e trying to remember things.
I asked him again and he wont go.. He said he's happy for me to share anything I learn but no way will he go. As I said before I don't mind. I'm probably better to get heaps of written info and leave it around.. I've caught him reading stuff before that I leave around :lol: He will support me. I know education is the key, but if he doesn't want to go, I can't make him there would be no point.
What a shame he feels that way. The book you get when you join up is excellent - a good one to leave around for him.
Did you let him know that most dads go too? Just in case he thinks he will be the only male?
In our region, during the course of the class, the women and men break out into 2 groups and there is a male who leads a short session (30 mins or so if i remember right) for the dads-to-be. The classes are not aimed at just the mums to be.
Maybe if he won't go, perhaps take your mum or sister so you have some support with you. At the ones i've helped at, nearly everyone brought along their support person (DP or friend or relative). Our classes include brainstorming and other activities that would be difficult for him to learn from just you talking to him afterwards (although it's better than nothing!). Good luck!