Seeking Information on Breast Feeding

My advice is to call Birthways and go to one of their many classes. They are very supportive regarding, birthing, breastfeeding, pumping, time management, etc. Their website is:
www.birthwaysinc.com

Hi

I took the brest feedinhg classes back in last nov and I delivered end of december. As a first time mom i was ablke to manage the feeding well. The information provided in class was absolutely useful. I went back to work after 6 weeks and pumped successfully for 6 months. My daughter was on brest milk exclusively till 4 month and then i weaned off smoothly in two months.

The calsses were wonderful I really recommend them if you are first time mom. There is so much that we dont know!!!

All the best for yr baby

I am pregnant w/ my first child due in Oct. I just attended my breast feeding class last Sat. at Loyola University Medical Center. The class was only $15 and I did feel it was worth it. I am planning on going back to work as well after 12 weeks off. They focused a lot on how to become successful early on and also on how to transition back to work and being able keep breast feeding. The packet that they gave also has great references for later on. I'm feeling a littel overwhelmed w/ the entire experience so I view any information I can get as helpful. The class was taught by a certified lactation consultant which also emphasizes getting help early on after delivery w/ any problems. Best of luck!

Congratulations on your blessing. When I saw your post, I asked my wife, Debbie, to write a little something for you � which I will include below my comments. Debbie and I attended class together. At first, I wasn�t certain what I could contribute, but I quickly found out just how I could participate and share in her joy. I believe going to the class was the best decision I could have made for her, my girls, and myself. Through the class I was better equipped to support her during frustrating or painful times, help her to get adjusted or adjust the baby. I was really useful to her when it came to remembering things from class that she had forgotten. She already had a great deal on her mind, and I don�t know if this is the norm, but pregnancy made her quite forgetful. She was very happy I paid attention in class. Debbie often asked me questions about things she had forgotten, which helped me to feel more important during this time of adjustment, where dads often feel left out. I hope your husband goes with you. If he takes it serious, he will be forever glad and wouldn�t trade it for anything. Child birth and breast feeding classes were the two most important classes (for many reasons) we took.

-K.

Hello. Congratulations. St. Alexius is where we had our pre-natal class for breastfeeding. It helped with getting familiar with all the basics of breastfeeding & accessories, but once they hand you that baby, you�re going to need a fast refresher course from every nurse or lactating female you can find. =0) Technique basics are taught there, but you and your baby will figure out what works best. Just don�t go out and buy tons of breastfeeding accessories until you figure out what you need. I have so many creams left over, for example, I could have just used the equivalent of a trial size instead of the 4 oz tubes I bought.

Anyways, you�ll get the most help from the nurses and lactation specialists in the hospital. I had the luxury (if you want to call it that) of being in the hospital for 5 days each time, so I got plenty of help both times. My first baby was too weak to latch on till she was about 7-8 days old, and nursing never caught on for her, so she was only 20% breast fed till about 6 months. My second latched right on, so then I just had to figure out what position or technique worked best. Try them all a few times, no matter how awkward the first time goes. Besides, each nurse you ask will have different ways to help you refine it.

After you leave the hospital, St. Alexius has a FABULOUS breastfeeding support group, lead by Lisa Moy, a lactation consultant. She actually wrote part of the manual they give you in the hospital, which by the way is a great source for all sorts of subjects; read it! Anyway, if you go to the support group, you will be surrounded by moms who are right where you are, or have been there quite recently. I found relief in so many ways through my my support group; relief that I wasn�t a total failure, advice on different things to try, and connections to form �mommy groups� outside of this group. It�s great to watch your kids all growing together, and you can compare and contrast how little "Jimmy" is great with physical activities, while little "Rachel" smiles and babbles so much more. Other moms are the best support & information source there you will find - use us! More experienced moms are great to ask questions and get advice, but as far as an ongoing basis, you�ll find the most relevant and satisfying information from moms with babies your baby�s age.

Ok, sorry to go on so long�This is something I�m very opinionated on, can you tell? One more note though, if you really start feeling not yourself after a few weeks or months after baby comes home, St. Alexius also has a great postpartum support group that meets weekly (usually) and is headed by Leslie Stoutenburg (spelling?) for both St. Alexius and Alexian Brothers hospitals. The manual lists her phone number, and she also tries to visit new moms in the hospital.

Hope this helps!
Debbie

Hi Stacey,

Congratulations on your pending birth. I just delivered my first in June. I wasn't going to take a breastfeeding class but my sister-in-law really recommended it. I am so glad I did....my breastfeeding experience has been great and I am pretty sure it would'nt have been as easy as it has been had it not been for the class. I don't think there is a need for your husband to attend.

L.

I took a class through Northwestern Hospital before my first was born and it was very helpful to learn techniques. They'll show you different ways to hold the baby and how to know if he/she has latched on properly. I was fortunate that both of my sons latched very well right away, I think some of that may be because I felt confident after taking the class. And yes, have your husband go with you so that he can be supportive and can understand how demanding breastfeeding will be, even if you pump. Good luck and congratulations!

hi there! congrats!
i'm the mommy of a 6 month old little boy, and i went back to work when he was 2.5 months old. i've been pumping the whole time, and things have gone well.
first, i'd say go to a class at the hospital or babies r us, but go for something cheap that just has an overview. because, if i could do it all over again, i would have skipped the lamaze class i paid for, and i would have gotten myself a lactation consultant for th first 2 weeks home from the hospital. i took the breastfeeding class at the hospital, and that helped me get a general idea of what i was doing. but i REALLY think it would have been best to have a consultant that could come to the house when i was actually trying to breastfeed my actual baby. not a doll. it's just good to have someone supportive that you can call and ask all your questions to. my mom had no experience breastfeeding, so a lot of my stresses were answered with "if you switched to formula, it'd solve all your problems" which i did not want to hear. fortunately, i had a sister in law and a cousin who both breastfed, and i was able to call them at any time and ask questions etc.
so, i guess i'd suggest setting up a support system. the first month of doing it is the toughest, but once you and your baby get the hang of it, it's a wonderful wonderful experience for you both!
you can always pick my brain, if you'd like. i'm more then willing to offer advice, counsil for when you go back to work. stuff like what pumps to buy, how to get your freezer stash built up before you go back, how much to send to daycare, how to get the baby used to taking a bootle or breast, etc. it's a totally different experience then someone who is a stay at home mom, but its still a good experience.
poke around online. there are all kinds of message boards for working breastfeeding moms. and they all have TONS of good ideas and advice they would love to share.
www.kellymom.com
that site has LOTS of resources, video, etc on it. GREAT resource!
http://www.breastfeeding.com/workingmom.shtml
awesome support group in the community boards for working moms. they were WONDERFUL when i first went back to work.

so see what's available, but if i could do it again, and when i have my second, i'm going with the lactation consultant. get the help when you really need it!

M.

____@____.com

I am currently nursing my second child. I would definitly recommend taking a breastfeeding class. The ones at the hospital are usually very informative. I have never been to one at Babies R Us. I would also reccommend that your husband goes along as well. The more he knows, the more he will be able to support you. I would also ask to have somebody show you how to use a breast pump. I would have been clueless if the lactation consultant at the hospital didn't show me. Good luck. Choosing to breastfeed is one of the best decisions you can make for your baby.

Hello Stacey,
Congrats.
I am a full time working mom. I have 2 sons, one is 4.5 yo and the other is 6 mo. My first son was 100% breat fed (I went back after 8 - 12 weeks for both) and my second son will be 100% breastfed too!

My first son was nursed for 4 years. For his first 2 years I pumped at work using a Medela Pump and Style with the hands free attachement. It was very easy to do. You can pump and do whatever you need to do with your hands. I also have a battery pack and auto adapter for my breast pump. I have pumped just about everywhere. Even on a business trip.

In fact I am pumping right now in a private room at work for my 6mo old and typing away!

Your husband should definately be a part of the breastfeeding experience. It will help. At the very minimum he should know breast milk storage and defrosting info and how the breatpump works. Our morning routine, consists of my husband cleaning and sterilizing all my breast pump parts and packing it all up for me ready to go and making sure the babys milk is together for the babysitter. He also knows if I am home late how to defrost frozen milk and store any milk I have brought home.

4 things to do.
1. Be confident, you definately can do it.

2. Meet with others to get more info. Web, classes, whatever, educating yourself is never a waste of money.

3. Buy a reliable breastpump. Hands free attachements is a bonus and very convienient. The breast pump just hangs off my Medela bra.

4. Check that your work has a private and clean area (not a bathroom stall) for you to pump in. Check out the LaLeche League for the IL Legislation in place. See http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/summary.html#IL
Employers are supposed to make attempts to provide a suitable location. I showed the legislation info to my employers.
Any info you can get whether it be a class or private consultation, meetings with LaLeche is never a waste of money.

Best Wishes,
S.

I took a breastfeeding class offered by womancare (ob/gyn office), but what I would really recommend is a lactation consultant. I delivered in September at Northwest Community hospital, and the nurses and lactation consultants helped me while I was in the hospital. I was still having trouble when I left, so I made an appointment with the lactation consultant and she was very helpful. It was very helpful because it was just me (and my husband went, too) and the baby. But, she answered all my questions that were specific to me. They do charge (my first vistit was free, and I paid for the second one - they charge $15/15 min- well worth it). At the time I took the breastfeeding class, I thought it would be very helpful, but it really wasn't. Good luck. (If your going to be at NW comm. hosp, Pat and Nicki are both very good lactation consultants)

Hi Stacey. My name is S. and I live in Aurora, and I am also a labor doula and have worked with many moms with breastfeeding, and breastfeeding and going back to work, plus, I also breastfed all three of my kids exclusively too with no problems. I always had enough milk so I did not have to supplement with formula. I started pumping in between feeding to get a stockpile of milk for my husband when I was at work. Anyhow, what hospital are you having the baby at? Most hospitals have free breastfeeding classes if you are delivering at their hospital. If this is a homebirth, I would definitely take a class elsewere too. It is worth the money, but if you can get it for free, I would go with that. The classes in the hospital are good. They have the regular breastfeeding class and the going back to work and breastfeeding class, so you can take one or the other or both if you like. I would love to help you in any way I can. Like I said, I am a labor doula, and have helped many moms with breastfeeding. I also do birth consultatsions even if I am not at the birth and I would also do that with breastfeeding. I hope this helps you.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Hi Stacey! I am so happy to hear you are planning to breastfeed! It's such a precious time between you and your child. I had a wonderful lactation consultant at the hospital. My son had trouble with the nursing so I actually expressed my milk for 3 weeks and bottle fed while trying to get him to properly latch on. I had to visit the consultant numerous times and she was so helpful. Also, my chiropractor had told me about a group of women called La Leche League. They are FREE meetings once a month that you can attend and all of the women are available to call ANYTIME you have questions. I used that source as well. Not every baby picks up on the nursing right away so give yourself time and be patient...it is a natural process so they will learn. There is plenty of support out there and it is ok to take advantage of those sources. Once your baby figures it out though, it's pretty easy sailing! Definitely talk to your lactation consultant about the nearest La Leche League to you. I wouldn't pay for the classes when there is so much free help. (and no, the husbands don't usually attend!)

Take a class and bring your husband IF you feel it will be helpful and be less stressful for you. Don't do it if it's one more thing you have to "get done" before the baby comes.

I highly recommend having a lactation consultant come to your house. It saved me from giving up when I had serious nursing problems at first and I'm still nursing my daughter at night (she just turned one year old last weekend).

A friend who took classes told me this: just because you took a class before giving birth does not mean it will be easy - the baby wasn't paying attention during the class and he/she is half the equation.

Good luck.

Stacey,
Congratulations on your baby. Also, you will not regret one moment of breastfeeding your baby. I recommend taking a class because the more you know, the better. The hospital lactation consultants are very helpful, but you will have a few other things on your mind by then.
Regarding returning to work, there are many pumps made for working mothers (who need to keep up their milk supply.) I recommend the Avent Duo. This is not cheap, but it is really good. I am a SAHM, so I only needed the Uno. The reviews were great, so they helped me decide to buy it. I also hope you can have the support of other mothers who are or who have breastfed. (Of course, you have us here!) but I mean a La Leche group or other group. Also, the La Leche League's book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a great book.
And, don't listen to other people who don't support you.
Congratulations again,
Amy

Hi Stacey, I took a class at Northwestern Hospital. I forced my husband to go, but only 25% of the women had their husbands with them. I can't say that he really learned anything, but I was still glad that he listened to all of the things that I would need to do or might have to experience. I didn't remember much from the class by the time my first child was born. I relied a lot on a nursing book from Border's Books (can't remember name) and a lactation consultant (Ellen McManus) from NW Hospital. Don't be surprised if the post delivery nurses and on-site lactation consultants don't give you a lot of help. I have never heard of anyone who delivered at Northwestern to have had a postive experience with lactation questions. The good thing is that the baby (and your breasts!) will be okay the first couple of days while you're in the hospital. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the name & number of a lactation consultant before you deliver so they can come to your home when you and the baby leave the hospital. I've heard great things about La Leche League, but never used them. Please feel free to email me if you want me to try to find Ellen's phone # or if you have any other questions.

YES***TAKE A CLASS*** YES**TAKE YOUR HUSBAND!!!!***
It amazes me how much coaching you get for labor that only lasts one day, and how little you get for breastfeeding ,which ideally lasts for a year! And breastfeeding is really hard for the first 2-3 weeks! If you and your husband know this up front and also know that it does get easier, you'll be successful. I also highly recommend The Nursing Mother's Companion. EXCELLENT book. Good luck!

Hi, Stacey! Yay! Breastfeed your baby even if it's only a day. It's the best thing. But, prepare yourself, because it's hard in the beginning. The baby just doesn't latch on like in the movies. I found the classes to be very helpful and informative. When you are in the hospital, you will have the option to breastfeed only, or the staff will be able to top off the baby by using either a cup with formula that they can help the baby drink, or they'll use like a feeding syringe b/c in the beginning your milk may be slow to come in or your nipples will be sore, or your baby may still be hungry and you don't have enough milk yet. I've nursed 2 children each for a year and it was the hardest, most rewarding, sometimes painful, best experience of my life. Your husband may feel a little left out, but let him help you wherever else he can...bathing, diapering, etc. Sometimes your little one won't take a bottle because he/she just wants to be close to you, so don't be discouraged. Just know you are doing one of the most unselfish acts of your life. Also, your uterus will shrink back sooner, which also means you'll feel like you have bad cramps when you nurse for a while. But it's nothing you won't be ready for. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a great book, and take FULL advantage of the hospital staff. They will be a great help to you. Good luck, keep focus, and don't be afraid to take drugs if you need them. You'll be able to enjoy the birth and be in control much more if you have some relief. Love, R.
p.s. if you are going back to work, invest in a good electric pump. Medela worked for me. a lactation consultant can help you learn how to use it. Some even come to your house to get you started. Also, invest in good nursing bras and these cool gel patches called soothies. they help tremendously. AND you can get adorable nursing coverups called HooterHiders for the not-so-supportive people who don't really get it.

Hi Stacey,

Every new mom and dad that plan on breast feeding should definitely take a class...and it doesn't matter where. Breast feeding is very difficult and very emotional at first and the class will give you all the info you need to help you in both of these areas. For breast feeding to be successful you need to have a good support system and that is why your husband should attend and learn all he can because he is going to be the first person you tell your concerns to. Many people want to quit before they really even begin...so stick it out and remember it is difficult and in the beginning it does hurt.
Good Luck, I hope this helps!
J.-mom of 2 and trying for 3...breast fed all of them.

Stacey:

congratulations to you and your husband.

I can only speak to what I do, I have done private consulatations for famalies, I also do a call at a Baby's R Us. My understanding is that what is covered is left up to the lactation consultant... my class varies with the questions and concerns of the parents who attend. sometimes mothers and fathers stay after to speak with me privately which i encourage as well as calling me with concerns they don't care to discuss publically.
I would be happy to talk to you or meet with you, you also could come to the bru for the class i give.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc.
800 LACTATE ( 800 522 8283)

Stacey,

I would highly recommend going to some sort of class. I went with my husband and we both felt that it helped me and him understand what I was going to go through. The class I attended was at the Good Sheperd Hospital, and was very informative. They didn't say it was going to come natural for all and that it wasn't going to be easy. They informed the husbands how they could help emotionally. If your husband says "I don't want to be the only guy" let him know that in my class there were 12 expectant mothers and 11 of them had their significant others with them.
If you have the time I would suggest you and your husband to go.

R.

Mother of two wonderful energetic kids 3yr girl and 1 yr boy.

I nursed my three each for a year and at the hospital there is a lactation consultant on duty so if you have any problems they are there. I did not take any classes. A friend of mine did and she won a pump worth 300. in the raffle for the class.

I am a mom of three beautiful children! I have breastfed all three. I had my oldest at 17 and breastfed her without any trouble. I never took any classes as to "how" to breastfeed. I think it sorta comes naturally. There will be a lactation nurse at the hospital who offers advice and helps if you are having any problems. I say not to waste money on classes. I never did and never had any problems. Good luck!!!

Before the birth of my first child, I took the breastfeeding class at my hospital and found it very helpful. Though you will learn a lot from the act of breastfeeding, going to the class ahead of time can prepare you for some possible scenarios, teach you various breastfeeding holds (cradle,football,etc) and educate you on the connection between diet and breastfeeding. I would definitely recommend it. They are usually taught by the staff Lactation consultant, so you also get more information on how to contact them if you havequestions than you might from the exit nurse at the hospital.

I went back to work after both my kids and was able to keep breastmilk a part of their diet for a year.

Good luck!

C.

Hi Stacey. I am a new mom of a 2 1/2 month old boy. I definitely recommend attending a breastfeeding class, and I think your husband should go too. My husband & I attended one through our ob/gyn office. It's invaluable. I was lucky, my baby latched on very easily in the beginning, I only got sore nipples the first few days, then they went away. It doesn't hurt at all! My husband is extremely supportive. "They" say the husband's support is very important in helping new moms continue to breastfeed. I've been breastfeeding exclusively since my baby was born (except a bottle of breastmilk once in a while if I leave the house for a few hours). The #1 thing to understand is demand creates supply. The more you nurse, the more milk you'll have. Also, your attitude and mood play a big part. I think the babies can tell if mom is tense or nervous. So, just sit back and relax, and it will go well! I love nursing my son! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity!! Good luck!

Seek out your local La Leche League group. These meetings are free unless you choose to support your group and become a member. Most groups are for women only;however, there are some groups that are for couples. I, myself, had started going when I was 6 months pregnant and found that I didn't have as many issues when I did have my baby. Plus, I was much more relaxed than I think I would have been had I not gone. I have also found that they are very encouraging about breastfeeding but not pushy. You decide what your goals are and they try to help you with them. They are very knowledgeable. Many leaders are "on call" for many moms and will even take calls in the middle of the night.

Check out the La Leche League Website to look for a group near you.
http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Wow! You got a lot of advice! I am a mom who breastfed two children. We paid a decent amount for a breastfeeding class (and we really didn't have the money to spend on it). I felt I learned more when the consultant came to the room after the babies' births. I really felt that in the classes, you got the general information, but with the baby there in your arms you knew which position fit. I never followed up with support groups or lines but was reassured knowing they were there. The other very important thing in my mind is finding someone else for support who has breastfed. With my first child, I had no friends or contacts that nursed and my friends all thought it was disgusting (?!?!?) which made it hard to be around them. With the second, I had found friends who were supportive and was much more comfortable with nursing. GOOD LUCK!!

Congratulations. You must be very excited, expecting your first. When I was pregnant w/my first, I had a lot of pressure to breastfeed and actually resisted a lot of it. I reluctantly went to a class, but was still not quite onboard with the idea. When he was born, I actually felt like breastfeeding. I guess what I'm trying to say is....learn as much as you can about it, but do what your heart tells you. I went back to work and pumped for the babysitter and dad. That worked very well for me, so it is possible. I did come across some problems that I was able to go back to my info from my class and figure out. I'm not sure where you're delivering, but Hinsdale Hospital has a (I think free) breastfeeding support group that meets once a week - I think on Tuesdays - that was extremely helpful. They weigh the baby each week for you and are very friendly. If I were you, I would check into that before Baby arrives so you can get started with it right away if that's what you want.

Good Luck!!!
Trish

Hi Stacey,
I never took a class on breast feeding. I just read a lot about it prior to giving birth. THe lactation speacialist came in but she was a not a big help.

I pumped for the first week (what a pain) until one day I had enough and I told myself "I can do this" and did.

Once she latched on it was smooth sailing. But be warned it is painful in the begining, but the pain is worth it because you know that your baby is getting the very best for her/him.
Plus you burn up to 500 calories a day just breast feeding alone, no diet!

I had a couple different pumps and I found that the medela pump was the very best. It pumped the quickest! It is an expensive pump but so worth it.

Good luck!

I have 2 children: 11 and 19 months. I did breast feed with both kids although with my daughter (the 11 yr old) I had only lasted for 3 weeks. With my son I was able to breast feed for 1 yr. I strongly suggest that you take the breast feeding class, I found that with more knowledge and support it made things a lot easier to make the full year with my son. If you can find support and people to help (like your husband) it is a lot easier (as it tends to become stressful at times). I went back to work after 3 months and was able to pump for the remainder of my son's first year. I was also lucky enough to be next door to his daycare so I could feed him everyday for lunch. :) If you feel you need any more help I am willing to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!

Glad to hear that you're planning on breastfeeding, I think you're making a wonderful choice :)

I got a ton of help and advice from my local La Leche League group, they're very helpful. If you can't find one nearby (not sure where you're located) let me know and I can give you info for our local leader in Joliet/Bolingbrook just let me know :)

One person I know that can help you out tremendously with breastfeeding and pumping is Tracey Lemke, her e-mail addy is ... ____@____.com

I am due September 21st with my first and I took the breastfeeding class through our hospital, Lake Forest. I highly reccommend it!!! It was really helpful and they can answer all of your questions about when to start pumping and how to make sure you keep up your milk supply once you go back to work. They mainly talk about how to get the correct latch so that it works and is less painful. My husband went with and I am so glad he did - there were others there too. I thought he was sleeping at one point, but the next day he was able to recite word for word what the instructor had said :) I am sure he will be a great support system now that he knows a little about it! You should do it!
K. Foote

I had private breastfeeding classes so don't have any experience with classes offered in the community.

Here are some resources for you.

http://www.kellymom.com/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PumpMoms/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mobi/

Some people name LaLeche, but I did not have any luck with them. I tried for months to reach them and nobody returned my calls. I finally found a Consultant in the area who I met through someone else. She was very unprofessional even going so far as to breach our confidentiality several times. Hopefully, you will have better luck if you try that route.

http://www.laleche.org/

Good luck.

Stacey,
I cannot tell you that I have gone to any of the breast feeding classes offered cause honestly I did not. I will tell you that I went to a bunch of other classes such as child birth classes and other relaxation classes for pregnant parents. The thing I learned from it was that in a classroom setting you learn very overall, broad ways to deal with certain situations. You do NOT learn custom information to suit your needs, wants, and circumstances. Especially with breastfeeding, moreso than with child birth topics, you need one on one interaction with either a lactation consultant or with a doula/nurse/physician who can sit down and discuss what you need and how to help you accomplish your goals. With regard to my own experience, I can tell you that my daughter refused to nurse the first few days, she had to be finger fed with a syringe for about 24-48 hrs. and she had a hard time nursing properly without causing me excrutiating pain. Through the entire process, my family practice physician (who has been seeing me since birth and he delivered me almost 30 yrs ago!) coached me, directed me, showed me and comforted us as couple, how to get her to eat and gain weight, and how I could personally enjoy the experience. I cannot tell you in words how amazing that interaction was for us and our daughter. The key is to find someone you are comfortable with and open with that can help you and strengthen you in your efforts. There are so many ways in which you can do that. There is Le Leche, and many other support groups and counselors as well. The key is to get the help privately, be proactive, and enjoy the amazing experience. You are choosing the best for your child so do not give up even when its challenging because it takes effort but it is WELL WORTH IT!

Stacey,

I took and highly recommend the classes. We were at Lutheran in Park Ridge and the class was well worth it. While it will probably come natuarally, it won't hurt to sit with other parents and learn from their questions, from the lactation specialist, etc.

You'll learn about your milk supply, how to have the baby properly latch, (which if very important), who and where to call with follow up questions, lots of little things you won't realize you have questions about until the moment comes.

I think the one most valuable piece of info I took away was to nurse your baby as soon as possible once they are born and before they take the baby away to transport you to your room. I can tell you it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life to see my daughter instinctively know what to do. She turned out to be a champion at nursing and made me look good! I can also tell you I nursed for a year and she pretty much weened herself. To boot she has had only one cold in 19 months, no ear infections, flu or anything else that required medical attention. The boost to their immunity is invaluable.

As far as pumping goes, it becomes second nature. You can even buy a car adapter for your pump so you can pump "on the road" if need be. I used mine quite often.

Good luck and please email me personally if you have any other questions. You're making a great decision for you and your baby.

I too had these same thoughts, but I did go to the classes. I was actually signed up to go but had my baby before the class. They tell you to go as close to your due date as possible and my baby came 9 days earlier.

I delivered at Little Company and they offered the class while I was there. The class helped a lot. I thought this would be something that came naturally and would not need a class, but was I wrong.

The class teaches you the RIGHT way to have the baby latch on to avoid any pain to you and to assure the baby is getting the milk and not just air.

Of course you can figure all this out on your own, but it helped ease a lot of worries.

it is totally up to you if you want to go to the class. When you have your baby, you will have nurses as well as a lactating consultant to help assist with any concerns you might have. sometimes, OB/GYN doctors have a lactation specialist that will followup with their new mom's at their home shortly after you come home, just to see if you have any questions... Honestly, it comes naturally. I tried nursing my first, my second rather have had a bottle, but my third child, solely was nursing. Bottles, etc.. were not wanted. Nursing is very natural - dont be nervous. You will know what to do once your beautiful baby arrives. Good luck to you !!!

S.

Deartacy,

we have a certified lactation consultant who is also a nurse-midwife inour office. Her name is Janet Ford. Feel free to cal her for a consultation. we will also be offerring breastfeeding classes in Oct & Nov in our office on Army Trail Road & 355. Please call reception and gie them your contact info and they can contact you after we have dates set.

T. Doyle, CNM, MS
Director
Midwest Midwifery
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after Sept5 - ###-###-####
midwestmidwifery.com

Hi Stacey,
I had my son last Novemember and went back to work at the end of January of this year. I use the Medela Advanced Breastpump- it is fabulous- wouldn't recommend anything but Medela. As far as the classes- i have heard mixed things- it can't hurt- but i didn't do it- per my doctor saying that it is a natural thing and there will be nurses and lactation consultants to ask after you have the baby both in the hospital to offer hands-on help (LOL) and always resources to call. I didn't do it and i have been nursing since day one and he's now 9 months and i have a nanny. I pump at work all day- and i nurse him in the mornings and evenings and he takes from the bottle perfectly as well. Hope this helps! I would save the money and buy diapers :)

I did the class at the hospital (Northwestern Community) and found it very useful, but using the lactation consultants both during my hospital stay and for a couple of visits later even more useful as I had lots of problems. Stick with it (even if you are having problems) for at least a few weeks as even if you have to supplement it, some breast milk is better than no breast milk and I've now gone from under supply to over!
Good luck with your new baby, its the hardest and most wonderful thing I've ever done.

Hi Stacey -
Congratulations, I'm sure you are so excited! I never took any class, but I have exclusively breastfed both my children for the first year, (finishing up with my second now...) I work too, so I nursed and bottled-fed too. I think you would be fine without paying for any classes. You can also use your local LaLeche chapter for questions and support. They are a international support group for breastfeeding moms (www.lalecheleague.org). I went to a couple of their meetings, and if you are interested, I could send you the name and email address of the girl that was in charge of the chapter that I attended. If you have any questions, please email me back, I will help you with what I can. Good luck!

I have not been to any of these, but I would recommend investing in the services of a lactation consultant if you are going to spend the money anyway. I agree that La Leche League is essentially free (small dues yearly if you choose to have their magazine sent to you) and it is WONDERFUL!!
I think it is wonderful that you are willing to pump while you are at work. My suggestions are to experiment with diffent nipples on the bottles until you find what works best for your baby. (Look online for nursing cups, Avent bottles, etc.)
Also, remember that it takes time for a baby to learn to drink from a bottle (or soft nursing "cup") if they are used to nursing from the breast. Don't get discouraged! Some people suggest that the person feeding the baby NOT be the nursing mom (in this case it sounds like it will be the dad) and to do it in a location OTHER than is used for breastfeeding and even in a different hold that the mother uses to nurse.
Hope this helps! There are great books out there as well. "Nursing Mother, Working Mother" was a good one for me. I worked full-time and pumped with both a manual Avent pump and a double Medela "Pump-in-Style" that plugged into my cigarette lighter outlet in the car. A great pump will make all the difference as well! (And if you live close enough to be able to come home and nurse on breaks, that will help too!)
Good luck to you!
-Amanda (If you have any questions, I breastfed my daughter until she was 3.5 and will be happy to chat with you. You can reach me by email at ____@____.com)

Congrats on your upcoming excitment! My first was born 11/27/03, coming up on 3 years and my 2nd was born 4/11/05, 16 months. I breast fed both and it was very rewarding. We didn't take extra classes, but instruction was included in our birthing classes. I remember leaving the classes feeling full of information, which was great. However, I found the first few weeks of breasfeeding for both children very challenging. Everyone has a different experience with it. Some have it easy, some hard. The first time I had our pediatritan help us and that was enough to get it right. With our 2nd child I was more confident and when I was having problems, I went to a lacation consultant several times and that did the trick. I highly recommend getting help when and if it's needed. DON'T suffer through and get sad, mad, and frusterated!! Also, if you live near Palos Community Hospital, they have a weekly mother's breastfeeding class on Tues 10-11am (at least that's what I remember)-it's great!!! No men, so your hubby can't go, but it's wonderful. It's free and there's a nurse from the maturnity floor who leads the meeting (some of them are even lactation consultants). They weigh the baby and record it for you so you can see how he/she's growing. Then you sit in a circle and talk about how it's going, questions, problems, successes-and the other moms all pitch in to help answer the questions. It's a great meeting and I loved going-all the way up to when I went back to work. 3 months off with each. I used the Medela pump in style breast pump & it worked great-it's lasted me through both & counting (if we have more). Pumping isn't so great, so it's good to have a magazine, book, phone, etc. I recommend pumping 2-3 weeks before going back to work to get on feeding a day (perhaps after you're done feeding the baby you pump off the rest-that built up over a day should equal 1 feeding). That'll help you build your supply up to freeze for the first few days your at work and give your husband some supply to feed the baby with, once a day. Then the feeding your husband gives is another chance for you to pump or get out for a little alone time. Go to parenting.com or some other site to print off 'directions' to handling the milk, storage, etc. Make sure all people who bottle feed the baby know how to handle the milk - no shaking, how to defrost, etc. Good luck - feel free to ask any more questions as needed.
S.

I would highly recommend going to a La Leche League meeting in your area. It's important to have that support. A class is a great idea so you will learn the different techniques and proper latch.

It is a wonderful thing to do for your baby and is actually good for your future health too but you may experience challenges with baby's latch, sore nipples, etc. This is where having the education and someone you can call will come in very handy. Having your husband educated as well will also help because he will be a little more clear-headed(in my experience anyway:) ) and will be able to help you out. Best wishes to you!