Why should I take a breastfeeding class?
You have so much to get ready for before your little one arrives… get a car seat, decorate the nursery, figure out how on earth you are going to get a human out of your body. I get it! It’s a lot to think about! Have you stopped to think about how you’re going to feed your baby once he arrives? You know that breastfeeding is healthiest, so you plan to try, but that decision doesn’t mean breastfeeding will come naturally. Don’t wait until your baby is laying on your chest crying after delivery to figure out how to breastfeed. After reading this post, you will know 5 reasons to take a breastfeeding class and how it will benefit you.
1) Learn how your baby will act
Your baby is special and unique, but the way she acts the first few weeks of life is usually very similar to other babies. Scientists have studied infant behavior for years and found there is a common pattern of actions your baby will use to communicate with you, their mom. Your baby will show you when they’re hungry, full, tired, or just want to snuggle, and knowing these cues helps you breastfeed easier.
2) Know how your body makes breast milk
You have had breasts since the day you were born, but most women don’t give their true purpose a single thought until they are getting ready to breastfeed. Knowing how your body makes breast milk and what you need to do to maintain a full milk supply before delivery helps you ensure your baby will have what she needs to gain weight and be well hydrated.
3) See what is normal and when to ask for help latching
When you know what to expect when breastfeeding and what is normal, it is easy to tell when things are not going the way they should. It helps you figure out how to fix the concern you are having and know when to ask for help from a lactation consultant. If breastfeeding hurts, what can help make it comfortable? If your baby has a shallow latch, what to do to make it deeper? If you have low milk supply, how to increase it?
4) Hospital lactation consultants are busy
You might know you want to breastfeed but plan to get help after you deliver from your nurses or the lactation consultants in the hospital. Although this is a service many hospitals have, you are not the only patient that nurse has. Most lactation consultants see up to 12 patients per day, so they don’t have time to be with you every feeding around the clock to teach you what you need to know to breastfeed successfully.
5) Get a deep latch from the start
Knowledge is power! Knowing the basics about breastfeeding will help the first feeding after delivery be more successful and help you start building a full milk supply from day one. Early breastfeeding success allows you to be less stressed and enjoy being a new mom.
What to know something awesome!? At Thrive Lactation Center we believe that breastfeeding knowledge should be affordable for all families, so we teach you what you need to know to get off to a great start in our FREE Breastfeeding Class! Sign up today!
I am a registered nurse in the State of Florida and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The content on this blog page is for informational and educational use only. I have taken reasonable steps to ensure that the information shared is accurate, but I cannot guarantee that it is free from errors. The information shared here does not take the place of a medical provider, nor establishes any kind of client relationship with myself as a registered nurse or a lactation consultant. I am not your IBCLC or RN unless you book a consult with me directly and we establish a patient/caregiver relationship.