3 Reasons a Breastfeeding Class should be a part of your Postpartum Plan
It’s World Breastfeeding Week & August is National Breastfeeding Month! So we are taking this special opportunity to talk about Breastfeeding support & education.
Everyone is taking birth classes these days. Hospitals, doulas, L&D nurses and even influencers are teaching them! But when it comes to breastfeeding classes, there are fewer of them and even fewer parents know to look one up. In a time where formula shortages are a thing, parents who plan on breastfeed are feeling stressed out because “what if my boobs don’t work?!”.
Deep breath It’s going to be okay. But also consider taking a breastfeeding class!
But why should you take a breastfeeding class? It’s not like with birth, where you have a ton of decisions to make and interventions to swerve around - right??
Weeelllll… There ARE decisions to make! And there ARE interventions that you should know about that could interfere with your breastfeeding journey. But how will you know what to watch out for??
By taking a class, my friend!
Need a bit more convincing? Let me tell you 3 of my top reasons for parents to take a breastfeeding class.
Reason #1 - Because even though breastfeeding is biologically normal, it is not always easy.
“But it’s natural!” Sure. Birth is also a natural process, but it can take all kinds of twists and turns! Breastfeeding is a learned skill not only for your baby but for you as well. Taking a class helps you learn some practical skills, techniques & knowledge before your baby arrives so that you can put them into practice immediately!
What kinds of skills, techniques & knowledge?
How to hold & position your baby,
What a good latch looks like,
How to set up your Haakaa on one side while you breastfeed on the other side,
How to relieve a blocked milk duct,
How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk,
What actually works to increase supply,
How to use your breast pump,
You get the idea. There are a LOT of things that are easier to learn ahead of time rather than on the spot when you are sleep-deprived and your nipples are bleeding. Just sayin’.
So just because breastfeeding is natural, does not mean it will come easily.
Reason #2 - Being educated helps you build a support network before your baby arrives.
Here is one the best-kept secrets in the doula and lactation world: Once you’ve connected with a doula or lactation consultant or literally anyone whose life purpose is to support parents, we are never too far away! You’ve taken one of my classes and reach out months later saying you need support? I got you! We are ready to offer assistance, recommendations and support to one of our own.
No doubt - having a support network when you are a postpartum mom is worth its weight in gold and taking a class taught by a doula is one of the best ways to start that process.
Reason #3 - Learning the basics before your baby arrives makes troubleshooting problems easier.
I mentioned earlier the things that you will learn in a class. But this is a different perspective on that same topic.
If you know what is normal, it’s easier to spot when something is wrong or “off”. If you know what a baby that is full and eating enough looks and acts like, when your baby *isn’t* like that, you know when to reach out to that support network we just talked about. If you know what to expect when it comes to nipple pain (hint: your nipples should not be bleeding or painful), you know when something needs to change.
Taking a class helps you to know where to look & gives you better questions to ask.
