Been following this thread and can't resist commenting.  I don't
feel that prenatal classes should be completely thrown out the
window.  It all depends on what is presented and how.  When I first
started leading prenatal classes on breastfeeding, I tried to give
couples the whole "book" on breastfeeding from why breastfeed to
engorgement, etc.  Fortunately, with more experience, I have changed
the content drastically.  My main intent now is to give them a
positive feeling about breastfeeding, hopefully balancing out the
misinformation and attitudes they may have already developed as they
approach parenthood, and a few tips on getting off to a good start.
Early on I make the comment "Breastfeeding is normal, so why a
class?"  The point I try to make is that while it is normal and
natural, our view of it has often become distorted by advertising
and public images.  I include some of the great cartoons available.
I cover some of the reasons why breastfeeding is the way babies
should be fed.  I don't expect that they will totally ingest and
remember everything that is said in the class, but when they hear it
after delivery, it will be a repeat, not new info.  New parents are
bombarded with so much info that day or days after delivery.  (Of
course, we could argue how much of the info is really needed at that
point, but that's another subject.)  Hearing some of it ahead of
time increases their likelihood of remembering and incorporating it
when they hear it again once baby is really here.
I discuss the mechanics of latching, using the video from the Royal
College of Midwives.  Much emphasis is on learning to listen to your
body and to baby rather than getting caught up in a lot of rules,
measurements, numbers, etc.  The only "problem" I touch on is
soreness.  I do this only because so many moms, in our culture at
least, come to their parenting having heard so many stories of how
much it's going to hurt.  They expect pain and are only thinking
about "how much" rather than "why".  Again, not a lot of detail,
just reassurance that it's not supposed to hurt.
The nurses have often commented that they can tell even without
asking when a mom has taken class because they come with increased
confidence and at least some understanding of how to go about
helping baby get going with nursing.
This got longer than I intended.  The point I want to make is, don't
throw the baby out with the bathwater.  As long as our society does
not completely see breastfeeding as the norm; as long as a new mom
is as likely, if not more likely, to have heard horror stories about
nursing rather than pleasant stories; as long as each mom does not
come to parenting with a great support system, classses can be very
helpful if done effectively and with a "breastfeeding is normal, if
it didn't work the human race would not have survived this long"
approach rather than a "here's how to avoid and overcome problems"
approach, classes will have value.
Winnie

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