Sibley's newborn care class - worth it?

[Anonymous]

Hello, As a first time Mom-to-be who hasn't changed a diaper since I was about 8, I feel like I should probably take a newborn care class. Does anyone have any opinions on Sibley's class? (I've heard the L&D class isn't worth it, but I haven't heard anything about the chlidcare class.)

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I thought about taking this class but never had a chance to take it. Don't feel that I needed it. The nurses taught us how to change diapers, swaddle, feed, etc. I also had MIL with me for the 1st week after birth and she showed me how to bathe the baby, which was easy. But, I do recommend their tour. I went into labor the middle of the nght and there was no way we would have known where to go if we didn't have the tour. Strange enough, when we got to Sibley, there was no one around to direct us. It was like a ghost town! We went straight up to the labor room on out own. Fortunately, there was staff there!

[Anonymous]

I just took this class and found it helpful for my husband. For me it was a nice refresher course. I, personally, didn't learn anything new but it did feel good to confirm I know how to bathe, swaddle, diaper, etc. The instructor was organized, prepared and on time. For $70 we thought it was worth it. Most of the people in the class had little or no experience and I think they were pleased, too.

[Anonymous]

Don't take the L&D class. We did the one-day intensive and wasted our time. The class was 9.5 hours(!) and could have easily been condensed into 4. The instructor is not a part of Sibley, but rather a consultant whose personal views on L&D I don't necessarily agree with. She spoke about c-sections for all of 10 minutes and that was crammed into the last 30 minutes of the day. I'm not planning on a c-section, but I think it would have been helpful to learn more about them instead of just what I've read in books or online. (And the instructor even noted she'd HAD a c-section!) Also, the breaks were random, she didn't adhere to the agenda, and I believe too much time was spent on the floor "practicing" breathing. If I wanted a lamaze class I would have signed up for one!

[Anonymous]

I think if you're nervous or clueless, it is helpful. As some who'd been around a lot of babies and done a good deal of babysitting, I didn't get much out of it. However, as a PP said, I think it is useful for some DHs - including useful in getting the two of you to discuss how you plan to deal with some baby care issues.

[Anonymous]

the most worthwhile part of the Sibley L&D class (I took the one-day too) was the maternity ward tour, and also the discussions of what might happen if you had to have an unplanned C-section, etc. It was also helpful for my husband to do since I don't think he really realized some of this stuff, even less than I did.

The baby care class I found useless. Really, we diapered a doll and read info about temperatures, etc. All available in a baby care book if necessary, or from info from your pediatrician.

Best class I took: breastfeeding class. That was a REALLY good and useful class, because you only get like 15-20 min with the lactation consultant in the hospital, and it was nice to know this stuff before the baby came.

I took this through a lactation consultant who came to work for a mother's program at my large employer, believe it or not, but I bet the hospital has it. Or look at la leche league or through the bfeeding center downtown on k street. Bfeeding is hard and you will be doing that more than you will going into labor, so if you have to take 1 class, I would take that!