Dear Beadie,

I've been teaching a prenatal bf class for couples for over ten years
now.  It used to be a four hour class (done in 2 parts) but was recently
cut done to one 3 hour class.  One thing that I have found is that the
more guys that attend, the better the class.  Over the years I have tried
a lot of things, but with such a short time to teach, it is best to keep
it simple and use props to keep up interest.

I use a slide set from Childbirth Graphics and a set of overheads that I
designed myself.  Also included are short clips showing latch and suck -
I am currently using  "Breastfeeding - A Special Relationship" by Tully
and Overfield and "Breastfeeding - the Art of Mothering" by the AAP,
using the first one to show proper latch and suck and the second to show
a baby nursing right after birth (just don't show the birth itself - baby
hung upside down by the feet).  There are a lot of good videos out there
now, so you might want to preview some and see what you like.  We also
now give each couple a breastfeeding manual which I wrote, especially
important now that I just don't have time to cover everything anymore.
The manual includes a bibliography of recommended reading.

For props, I try to pass around or show examples of things I am talking
about, nursing bras, breast pads, lanolin, slings, etc.  For positioning,
each couple gets a baby doll and they practice as I demonstrate.  I also
use a doll to demonstrate techniques for waking a sleepy baby and to show
how to nurse discreetly.  Each couple also gets a balloon.  It is first
used to demonstrate the difference between a full breast and true
engorgement and the effect of engorgement on the ability of the baby to
latch.  I then have them tie the balloon off (inflated to about fist
size) and they use it to learn hand expression technique.  The last part
of the class is about pumps, working and bf, etc.  I demonstrate and pass
around a variety of pumps and they can use their balloons to test them
out (makes a big impression the first time they see a pump suck in the
balloon - brings home the admonition to start slowly so as not to cause
pain or injure the breast).

It is important to have participants fill out evaluation forms.  After
all these years, less than a handful of people have complained about my
being "over-zealous" - with most of the forms indicating very high
ratings for the class, the occasional dissatisfied customer does not put
me or my class in any danger.  Also, the forms are really good feedback
on how you are doing, especially important when you are first starting
out or if you decide to make changes in how the class is done.

Hope this is of some help.  I, too, am always on the lookout for new
things to keep the class fresh, for me as well as my couples.  Anyone
else have some good stuff to share?

Sharon Knorr, BSMT, LLLL, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant Services
Rochester, New York
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