did any of you take all those parenting, breastfeeding, diaper changing, etc etc classes? did it help? i mean…isn’t all that stuff supposed to come naturally? how did our moms and grandmoms know what to do without taking a single class? please share your experience!
Re: classes
Take them. You'll be surprised how hard it can be to get used to this stuff. Of course you'll learn as you go, but breastfeeding in particular can take a real emotional toll on you. You can't really control completely if you are going to have breastfeeding issues, BUT getting the right start is critical. Those first few weeks nursing determine how your body will supply milk for your baby.
Because our daughter came early (and because snow storms cancelled some of our classes). I did not get to attend the classes. We're doing fine, but it definitely could have been better with a little more guidance.
Re: classes
How do you find out about these classes?
Re: classes
my hospital had them. ask at the hospital or ask your obgyn.
Re: classes
I did not take the classes.If I were to take some I would have been interested in the lactation/breastfeeding stuff.
After delivery I had the help of a lactation consultant.So that was nice.
I am not sure where you are located,but I found out from my insurance(I am in the US) that the hospital has to pre-authorize any lactation consults for them to reimburse them.So I had called the hospital beforehand and they had taken care of it with the insurance company.
yup...nurse gave me an entire packet of brochures for such classes, genetic testing options, etc with a book and sample prenatal vitamins at my first prenatal appointment :) i'm pretty sure insurance will cover everything...thats not a concern, but i'm just not sure if its even necessary to take them cuz i'm sure i'll have the help n guidance of my mom so she'll be like my own "lactation consultant". lol
Re: classes
We took teh breastfeeding, childbirth and childcare classes. And i am glad we did, esp the breastfeeding one. I forgot most of the stuff they talked about but hubs remembered and later on he could help me with things. It was also important for me that my husband should take these classes so he has some info too.
Our mom didnt need all these classes because they lived mostly in joint family system and there were elders who could help out when needed. In most of our cases, we are living with our spouses only so we need the extra help.
Re: classes
They offer diaper changing classes?
Let me tell you I had never changed a diaper in my life before but soon as I had my daughter it all came so natural.
Nursing on the other hand can be quite challenging at first. Then again they have lactation consultants at the hospital to help you get started in this area.
Re: classes
sajal - i think the hubby’s would benefit the most with the diaper changing classes 
i took the prenatal classes when i was having my son. they taught us mostly about the different stages of labour, how your partner can help you through the labour, and what happens when the baby comes. i don’t remember them teaching us a lot about breast feeding. i guess maybe you have to take separate classes for that?
however, there were classes that were offered for new moms at the local community centre that helped with any breastfeeding problems/issues.
Re: classes
^we were offered free breastfeeding classes if we registered for childbirth classes. Or you could register for those separately.