Has Anyone Taken Classes at Babies R Us?

[bgkc4]

I just discovered that Babies R Us offers free classes covering topics such as "Lactation," "Baby Basics," and "Comfort & Labor." Have any of you second or subsequent moms taken a class with them in the past? If so, what was your experience? I planned to sign up for a class at my hospital, but they charge a fee. Now I'm thinking I'll go check out one of these at BRU. 

If anyone else is interested, here is the link to find a class: reserve.babiesrus.com

[frecklesnbrains]

Hmm interesting! Yeah my hospital offers a day-long labor class but it's $160! I'm not convinced I need it. I've been to many, many deliveries as a medical professional, so I wonder if I could supplement that with some reading and be okay. But then I worry that my DH won't be well enough prepared. Curious to know what STMs thought - were labor classes helpful? What did you learn?

[athn64]

The labor class was nly helpful in that it helped us learn our hospitals procedure for intake and such when you're in labor. We're skipping this time. it also wasn't too expensive. I guess the breathing exercises were helpful but by day three of labor I wasn't really using them anymore

[sandandsea]

We did all of our classes through my OB or the hospital. We didchildbirth, breastfeeding, carseat safety, and infant and child first aid/CPR classes. The breastfeeding class was super helpful and I'd highly recommend the others too. This time, we'll probably do a CPR refresher and just the hospital tour (it was part of the childbirth class last time).

ETA:  All of my classes were taught by retired OB/pediatric nurses with 20+ years of expereince except the carseat safety class was cotaught by a retired sheriff and certified tech who were both well qualified.

[babyzebra]

The childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care classes I took through the hospital were not that helpful, but I'm sure this varies greatly. All my nurses were super helpful and informative, so I was totally fine even though I didn't learn much in my classes.

[sandandsea]

Jan 12, 2016 18:57:09 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

Hmm interesting! Yeah my hospital offers a day-long labor class but it's $160! I'm not convinced I need it. I've been to many, many deliveries as a medical professional, so I wonder if I could supplement that with some reading and be okay. But then I worry that my DH won't be well enough prepared. Curious to know what STMs thought - were labor classes helpful? What did you learn?

I just typed a whole long response to this but it must have gotten eaten.  Anyway, I really liked my childbirth class.  We covered pain medications (what they affect, how they work), pain techniques (different breathing methods and non-medicated relief), watched videos on different types of births, medical interventions (when and why some things may be done) and had a hospital tour that covered common practices in our hospital including what they try to avoid as far as intervention and check in/stay/checkout procedures.  It was very helpful in deciding what I was and was not comfortable with and develop a "birth plan".  Though my birth plan was pretty loose since I'm a know your options and wait and see what you need at the time type of patient.  It was extremely helpful for DH who would have otherwise been a lost little puppy during the entire birth process.  He was very helpful and a great partner for it and felt well prepared because of the class.

[greysonsmom]

Last time around my best friend was due four months before me. She took the class at the hospital, it was $200 and a whole Saturday. She didn't seem to think it was worth it so I didn't take it. I read a few books and I felt prepared enough.

[frecklesnbrains]

Jan 12, 2016 19:49:53 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Jan 12, 2016 18:57:09 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

Hmm interesting! Yeah my hospital offers a day-long labor class but it's $160! I'm not convinced I need it. I've been to many, many deliveries as a medical professional, so I wonder if I could supplement that with some reading and be okay. But then I worry that my DH won't be well enough prepared. Curious to know what STMs thought - were labor classes helpful? What did you learn?

I just typed a whole long response to this but it must have gotten eaten.  Anyway, I really liked my childbirth class.  We covered pain medications (what they affect, how they work), pain techniques (different breathing methods and non-medicated relief), watched videos on different types of births, medical interventions (when and why some things may be done) and had a hospital tour that covered common practices in our hospital including what they try to avoid as far as intervention and check in/stay/checkout procedures.  It was very helpful in deciding what I was and was not comfortable with and develop a "birth plan".  Though my birth plan was pretty loose since I'm a know your options and wait and see what you need at the time type of patient.  It was extremely helpful for DH who would have otherwise been a lost little puppy during the entire birth process.  He was very helpful and a great partner for it and felt well prepared because of the class.

I'm thinking it will be helpful for my husband, who is totally non-medical. The guy doesn't know an epidural from an episiotomy. And although I'm probably comfortable with 90% of childbirth-related stuff, I don't want that 10% that I don't know/understand to catch me off guard. I'm not really the type to have a "birth plan", but I would like my H to know my preferences so he can advocate accordingly. I guess I was a bit shocked that it was a full day long and would cost $160... we'll have to do some more thinking/research to see if it is worth it.

[bgkc4]

Jan 12, 2016 21:00:26 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I guess I was a bit shocked that it was a full day long and would cost $160... we'll have to do some more thinking/research to see if it is worth it.

I think that's why I'm considering taking the free classes at Babies R Us. So if it's not helpful, I haven't wasted any money on it. The classes at BRU are taught by specialists, not by some random BRU employee.  Although I do like that the hospital's class comes with a tour of the labor and delivery unit.  

[sandandsea]

Jan 12, 2016 21:00:26 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

Jan 12, 2016 19:49:53 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

I just typed a whole long response to this but it must have gotten eaten.  Anyway, I really liked my childbirth class.  We covered pain medications (what they affect, how they work), pain techniques (different breathing methods and non-medicated relief), watched videos on different types of births, medical interventions (when and why some things may be done) and had a hospital tour that covered common practices in our hospital including what they try to avoid as far as intervention and check in/stay/checkout procedures.  It was very helpful in deciding what I was and was not comfortable with and develop a "birth plan".  Though my birth plan was pretty loose since I'm a know your options and wait and see what you need at the time type of patient.  It was extremely helpful for DH who would have otherwise been a lost little puppy during the entire birth process.  He was very helpful and a great partner for it and felt well prepared because of the class.

I'm thinking it will be helpful for my husband, who is totally non-medical. The guy doesn't know an epidural from an episiotomy. And although I'm probably comfortable with 90% of childbirth-related stuff, I don't want that 10% that I don't know/understand to catch me off guard. I'm not really the type to have a "birth plan", but I would like my H to know my preferences so he can advocate accordingly. I guess I was a bit shocked that it was a full day long and would cost $160... we'll have to do some more thinking/research to see if it is worth it.

Yes. I'm totally with you. I had a good handle on it, DH had no clue. I'm also not one for a birth plan and liked knowing my options. The class was 1.5-2 hour classes on a weeknight for maybe 8 weeks. The other classes we did were 1-2 hours and less expensive.

[babyzebra]

bgkc4 I would definitely take them if they're free. Worst case scenario is that that aren't that helpful and you would have just lost some time. I'm going to guess that they'll be pretty good though. I know they can't be worse than what I took at the hospital that I payed (a small amount) for! I bet too that you can still do the hospital tour even if you don't take the classes.

[frecklesnbrains]

Jan 12, 2016 21:12:27 GMT -5 bgkc4 said:

Jan 12, 2016 21:00:26 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I guess I was a bit shocked that it was a full day long and would cost $160... we'll have to do some more thinking/research to see if it is worth it.

I think that's why I'm considering taking the free classes at Babies R Us. So if it's not helpful, I haven't wasted any money on it. The classes at BRU are taught by specialists, not by some random BRU employee.  Although I do like that the hospital's class comes with a tour of the labor and delivery unit.  

If you do them then let us know how they were! I can definitely think of other things I could spend $160 on if I can save that money...

[nymama917]

Never took the BRU classes but hey if they are free and you have time then it can't hurt. We took the hospital class because I was set on an unmedicated birth and thought it would be amazing. It was not. It wasn't worthless but it wasn't amazing either. It brought up a lot of discussion points for me and DH to talk about and make sure he was on my page. They taught a few breathing techniques which I did use and loved (deep breath in and exhale with ssssss or shhhh sounds). It told is the ways of the hospital what you can do and bring and how the private rooms work (NYC you gotta pay for them). The tour was pointless other than knowing where the proper entrance and elevator was but the floor was packed that day so we didn't get to see past the check in area. Glad we did it but definitely didn't live up to my expectations. I learned a lot about natural birth and laboring techniques from books.

We didn't do breastfeeding classes because I wanted to wait for baby to arrive. They gave free ones at the hospital as well as had a lactation consultant check in a few times a day. The nurses were also so helpful so I don't think a class before baby is necessary. After baby I think its a must.

[txmommy14]

Jan 12, 2016 18:57:09 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

Hmm interesting! Yeah my hospital offers a day-long labor class but it's $160! I'm not convinced I need it. I've been to many, many deliveries as a medical professional, so I wonder if I could supplement that with some reading and be okay. But then I worry that my DH won't be well enough prepared. Curious to know what STMs thought - were labor classes helpful? What did you learn?

I enjoyed going because my hospital offered for free-but definitely not necessary. If you're planning to go unmedicated-absolutely, I think classes sound important. For me, I knew i wanted an epidural, so there really wasn't anything I couldn't have figured out myself, although the class included a hospital tour which I wanted.

[txmommy14]

And I thought the breastfeeding class was VERY helpful...for me, but mostly for my husband in helping him understand the work involved in it all and how he could help!

[Flair Underwood]

frecklesnbrains, I didn't think my child-birth class was helpful at all. Granted, I'm in small-town rural PA. I did get some help and info out of the breastfeeding class (mostly just calmed my nerves about the whole thing) - but I think if you're educated, not one to get overwhelmed, and kind of know how you want to handle pain, you can probably skip the whole thing.

[shoogars]

I thought the only worth while part of my birthing class was the hospital tour. The breast feeding class was a waste. However, I went to a BF support group when baby was born and that was amazing...I went weekly until number 2 was weened.

[Flair Underwood]

Ditto shoogars! The support groups are so much more beneficial because until you have a baby in your arms and have to pump - you can't learn or plan.

[sandandsea]

Here are the notes from my breastfeeding class 4 years ago so you can see what types of things were discussed.

Breast feeding class notes

Intro bottle at 4-6 weeks. Use it regularly from then
No bottle for first 4 weeks
Bottle playtex ventaire for gas and not silicone nipples test diff ones
Paci okay bc no milk

Feed one side then other until stop full Cheeks jaw up and down and swallowing. Start on one side then other. Next time start on side ended on last time.

Feed at least every three hours. Wake them up to feed them.

Drink water during each feeding
Keep caffeine minimum.
If gassy baby could be from mom drinking milk or dairy products

Allergy med can dry up breast milk so can't take while feeding ask dr for alternatives

Switch positions while feeding. Allows all tubes to be used.

Lanolin cream.

Wide open mouth.
Express milk.
Touch bottom lip to get open mouth.
Lips outside their mouth.
Tongue should cup nipple.
Tongue should not be "tied".

Hold breast c or u shape

Burp before switching sides an after feedings
Over shoulder hold by butt pat kind of hard
Rub back or pat in upward motion
Or sit them on lap cup jaw and burp over knee

to reduce breast pain:
feed frequently
Hot shower
Massage breast
Hot moist towels
Use lanolin cream if sore or gel pads called soothies which can be refrigerated
Express milk which will soothe soreness and air dry for 15 mins then apply cream
Flu like symptoms and fever can be breast Infection one spot can be hard red irritated. Can.continue to feed on that breast

Pump into container with ounce markers then pour Into bag
Pump after first four weeks
Pump after first feeding of the day to build supply
Pump until breast is soft
Note ounces and date on bag to store

Breast milk will last:
6 hours room temp
6 days in fridge
6 months in freezer

I went back to work at three months and DS went to Daycare so we knew we'd need bottles and to pump so some of my notes are about that.

[taberbtb]

We did two classes last time. The childbirth one through the hospital was full so we had a doula come do in home classes. She was great, especially for my husband who had zero clue about anything.

The breastfeeding class we did through the hospital and it was helpful to learn a few "tricks" but more so for the PP support it offered.

[microworm]

We only did the hospital L&D tour. I read a book on labor and birth methods, including medications, so I already knew that I wanted an epidural. I think birthing classes would be very helpful if you want to go med-free. I did prenatal yoga classes weekly and they helped me with pain management until I got the wonderful epi. My Dr and nurses were so great throughout the L&D process and told me what to do. I have heard that breastfeeding classes are helpful but I was fine without one. Most of my regular nurses were LCs as well so I got lots of help there. I mean, if the classes are free, it couldn't hurt to check them out?

[cattuccino]

The only ones around us also cost a lot of money and the scheduling didn't work out when we were pregnant the first time.

Though no class would have prepared me adequately for my L&D experience, so in hindsight I don't regret this decision. If anything I'm thankful I didn't have even more expectations or ideas or "plans" that weren't met.

[bgkc4]

sandandsea, thanks for the cliff notes! Much appreciated.

[sandandsea]

Jan 14, 2016 11:11:36 GMT -5 bgkc4 said:

sandandsea , thanks for the cliff notes! Much appreciated.

No problem!  I still had them on my phone from that night.  I was typing away during the class trying to remember everything.  They came in handy more than a few times during the first year!

[regal]

I feel like they would be pushing things to purchase at these classes.

DH and I did classes with our midwife practice. $160 for four 2.5ish hour classes with snacks. Topics were labour and birth, pain management techniques, breastfeeding, basic infant care and a some other stuff. We enjoyed them and ended up getting together about once a month with a babies as a little support group.