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 mailto:[log in to unmask] ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]