When to Take a Childbirth or Breastfeeding Class?

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Childbirth classes are so important for a stress-free delivery. When to take a childbirth class is key. Too early, and you might forget, too late and it might be — well, too late. When’s the best time to take one, and when should you also take a breastfeeding class?

How do I know all of this? I am an L&D nurse as well as teaching childbirth classes for my hospital. So, I’ve seen it a time or two.

When should you take a childbirth class?

I recommend taking a childbirth class between 24 and 36 weeks. Kind of a wide range of dates — but…

Take it too early and I worry you won’t need it. I just like to make sure the baby is a “for sure” before you pay for a class.

Take it too late and you might not have time to finish it.

Of course, all of this depends on how long your course is and how long it takes to finish, and the timeline. All that jazz. But in general — those are the guidelines I go with.

The best time to take a prenatal class

I think the best time is at 30 weeks. I think you’re starting to have a good “visual” on the finish line at that point, and it’s not so far away that you’ll never remember everything. Just my opinion.

Childbirth classes near me?

I would just look around for something close by. Keep in mind that not all hospitals teach birthing classes. Of course, not all hospitals even have L&D anymore, so sometimes you have to travel quite a ways to get into a class.

Which is why I recommend….

Online Childbirth Classes

Online childbirth classes are an awesome option. As the creator of the hottest class on the internet, I do recommend this one.

Taught by an L&D nurse of 17 years… it’s

Accurate
Quick — can be done in as little as a weekend or stretched out to fit the time you have (plus has tons of outside info to fill in any gaps you want to know more on)
Can be done on your couch — can’t get “nearer to you” than that!

Hundreds of happy couples can’t be wrong, but you don’t have to take my word for it.

Are childbirth classes really necessary?

The short answer? No. The baby will still come out if you don’t take a class. It happens every day!

The right answer though — yes. You will want a class. The hospital is a mysterious land that you aren’t familiar with. Having a little info will really help you feel more peaceful during your delivery.

And you’ll have filled with fond memories of your happy day, rather than the anxiety that filled your heart all day.

When to take a breastfeeding class

I actually recommend a breastfeeding class a bit later. Maybe 32 weeks — but they can be taken at any time similar to a prenatal class.

Hospitals often have one for you — but there are also a lot of great….

Online Breastfeeding Courses

{surprise!}

I have three that I recommend. All for different reasons.

Best Priced Breastfeeding Class

The Milkology classes are a great price. They are very thorough and she’s done a great job filming them, they’re super engaging! She has a basic breastfeeding one, and has recently added a pumping-only one (which may be of special interest to the working moms out there).

> Check out Milkology <<

Longest Recomended Breastfeeding Class

The one I have recommend the longest is Cindy and Jana’s class “Getting Ready to Breastfeed”

I like how they troubleshoot and seem very aware of how it can be difficult to adjust to. I like the price, it’s sort of like your mom or grandma is there to help you out.

> Check out Getting Ready to Breastfeed <

The Total Package Breastfeeding Classes

Lactation Link has AMAZING breastfeeding classes. Lindsay is SUPER knowledgeable and has a whole team of lactation consultants that she works with. Her classes are done VERY well, and the price tag shows her efforts. My favorite part of her classes is that she does online lactation consults. A great option if you are having issues and can’t get into someone local after the baby is born.