Our night at a breast feeding class...

...by Leslie and her DH.

Tonight DH and I went to the breastfeeding class held at LIJ. It was a free class if you signed up for the childbirth classes.

I asked DH to come with me because he is the one who really wants me to do this. I was going back and forth and hoped the class would push me in one or the other direction. I wanted to know what kind of commitment I would have as well.

The consultant was lovely. She was a 35 year veteran nurse at LIJ being a consultant for 22 years. She was informative and gentle and not at all dictatorial.

She showed us every aspect of breast feeding from nutritional benefits to pumps and everything in between.

DH and I decided that we would in fact do our best to make this work for us. We also decided that we would buy the pump at the hospital rather than rent it because they gave a us a coupon in which we can save $20. The cost was $275 minus $20. The rental was $150 plus $50 for the tubes and we figured for an extra $55, we at least get to keep it and it would be brand new.

DH did not have too many of his typical "pearls" per se, but his ears perked up at the following:

- the term "nipple trauma."

- using a "football hold" when moving the baby from the left breast to the right rather than turning/flipping the baby around

and

-the term "liquid gold" when discussing the value of breast milk.

So all in all, it took a football reference to make it all worth while.

HOWEVER, neither DH nor myself will fall apart if this doesn't work out.

ETA:

For those of you delivering at LIJ, there is MAJOR CONSTRUCTION there making navigation to the hospital building very challenging. I would suggest, that if you plan on having visitors who may have difficulty walking or who have special needs, to either valet park, or drop them off at the entrance as the visitor lot is quite a distance from the designated entrance.

Message edited 7/10/2008 8:29:46 AM.

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

just a thought....my insurance co is HORRIBLE, but they did cover my pump rental. I only had to purchase the tubes on my own.

maybe give them a call?

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

Thanks. That may very well be worth trying. I'll try them tomorrow.

The reason why the class was free in the first place was because the hospital got a grant. I guess they sort of view breast feeding as "wellness" or preventative medicine based on all of the research and benefits.

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

I think that is great. I know Staten Island is sooooooooooo behind in helping mother's nurse.

Here in Charlotte, I could pick up the hospital phone 24-7 and get an LC in my room within 15 minutes.

One night, they even came to my room with a certificate for "being the best nursing team of the day"

Everyone probably got one, but man, it made me feel like I won an academy award.

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

I just keep picturing that cheese bra with breastfeeding flaps.

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

I love reading your posts! Yes, I should've actually mentioned the LIJ construction madness from when I was there the other day. DH and I drove seperately since we both came from work. The construction and time it took for him to locate me made him crazy to the point where he's like "I don't want you delivering here" LOL.

I'm confident he WILL be okay though.

Anyways, have you taken any other classes/tours at LIJ?

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

Re: Our night at a breast feeding class...

Message edited 7/10/2008 8:30:43 AM.