Breastfeeding can be one of the biggest challenges for a new mom. The frustration when it doesn’t come as easily and as naturally as you expect can leave you feeling like a failure. But the truth is, breastfeeding can be hard. It takes a lot of work, and the best thing you can do for you and your future little one is to prepare by taking a breastfeeding class BEFORE birth.
Why take a breastfeeding class before birth?
Because breastfeeding begins shortly after birth, it's beneficial to prepare ahead of time. Knowing what to expect can decrease anxiety and help you foresee potential challenges, but once you have your baby, your breastfeeding journey will start. Having the knowledge from a breastfeeding class will help you feel empowered and prepared to feed your little one right from the beginning and can prevent many of the challenges breastfeeding moms face, such as getting a good latch, finding a position that works for you and baby, and more.
What will I learn in a breastfeeding class?
- A breastfeeding class will typically walk you through:
- Anatomy of a breast
- What breastfeeding looks like right after birth
- What to expect in the first day, week and months of breastfeeding
- How often a newborn needs to eat
- How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk
- How to get a good latch
- The best breastfeeding positions
- Burping positions
- How to create milk supply
- When and why to pump (including how to choose the right pump)
- How to build a milk stash
Plus, how to troubleshoot and treat all common challenges like:
- Mastitis
- Engorgement
- Clogged duct
- Sore nipples
Which breastfeeding class should I take?
While you could take an in-person class, we recommend taking a class online that you’ll have access to after the baby is born – such as our free online class, Breastfeeding 101: From Prenatal Prep to Pumping. Here’s why:
- It’s convenient: You can watch the class at your own pace, on your own time
- Easy to refer back to: After the baby is born, questions or issues will come up that you will want to refer back to. Our online class is broken up into bite-sized video lessons, plus it includes downloadable handouts, which makes revisiting information quick and easy. Plus, no need to take notes!
- It shows real demos with real parents and babies: This is less-likely in an in-person class, an online class is able to show you real demonstrations on how to latch, the best breastfeeding positions, and more.
Overall, taking a class will not only help you understand your body and what to expect, but it will help protect you from information overload. Between Google and social media, finding the right information, easily, can be difficult. Our online class Breastfeeding 101: From Prenatal Prep to Pumping is taught by a leading International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), in an easy-to-digest format you can come back to time and time again— leaving you with all the right knowledge without the headache.
