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Antenatal Classes

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Breastfeeding Education Classes             Printable brochure

Why Attend?

Australian Research has shown that new mothers wish they had received more preparation for breastfeeding and the early months of parenting prior to the birth of their baby.

Attending an Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Education Class compliments the knowledge gathered at antenatal classes, and give you the opportunity to:

• Learn some of the skills you will need to care for your new baby

• Make informed choices about breastfeeding

• Realistically prepare for the changes about to happen in your life

• Discuss questions and concerns you may have about breastfeeding

• Develop a support network before giving birth

• Meet other parents who share your commitment to breastfeeding

• Find your own path amidst all the varying advice

What's in the classes?

The relaxed and information packed seminars are a great first introduction to the Australian Breastfeeding Association's support network.

Qualified ABA breastfeeding counsellors and community educators volunteer their time to facilitate these sessions.

Topics will cover:

• How breastfeeding works?

• Establishing breastfeeding and the first feed

• Importance of skin-to-skin contact in the first hours and beyond

• Positioning and attachment

• Understanding your milk supply

• Discussion of what is 'normal' for a breastfed baby

• Role of partners in breastfeeding

• Adjusting to parenthood - survival tips for the early days and weeks with a new baby

• Common concerns and problem solving

The sessions also includes:

• Up to date information and notes to keep

• Breastfeeding mother and baby in attendance to demonstrate a breastfeed (when possible!)

• Refreshments

Frequently Asked Questions:

At what stage of my pregnancy should I attend a class?

Please consider a class during your second trimester - ie between weeks 13 and 24. This is to allow for the mother's comfort and babies who arrive early. Of course, we are also happy to accommodate those further along than this! Booking early increases your choice of available classes, which fill quickly in some areas.

Should my partner come too?

Absolutely! They might not be doing the breastfeeding, but can be your major support and it really helps for them to to learn everything with you. If your partner is not able to attend, you can bring along a friend or other support person if you wish.

How many people does the class accept?

Numbers vary between classes based on the size of the community venues we use. You can expect between 6 and 20 couples in attendance.

I am having twins! Do you have a special class for me?

While you are welcome at our regular classes, where your special needs can be briefly addressed, we also run  classes specifically for parents of multiples every few months  at the Breastfeeding Centre in Dandenong, printable leaflet

My baby is due in the next few weeks. The class I want says it is fully booked! HELP!

Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited and classes fill up quickly. We are not able to take more people than our allocated seats and do not hold waiting lists for fully booked classes. However, your local group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association may have upcoming meetings you can attend before your baby is due.

You seem to have classes mainly in outer suburbs - why aren't there more classes close to the Melbourne CBD?

The volunteers who run our classes do so in the local area they live in. This allows us to offer classes throughout Victoria. We would like to offer more classes in the inner urban area, however it is dependent on our volunteer hours and access to suitable venues. You will appreciate classes book out early in areas with a large population, so understand you might need to travel out of your area if you are booking later in your pregnancy.

How much does the class cost?

Our classes are exclusive to new or existing Australian Breastfeeding Association subscribers. The cost of the class is only $20.00, plus subscription if you haven't yet joined.

One-year $65 subscription to the Australian Breastfeeding Association includes:

• The book Breastfeeding ... naturally, valued at $35.00
• Exclusive access to our Breastfeeding Education Classes
• 50% discount on breast pump hire rates
• Access to your local ABA network of breastfeeding women in your community
• 10% discount on purchases from Mothers Direct
• Six issues of the Australian Breastfeeding Association magazine "Essence"
• Exclusive access to articles and information in the "Subscribers only" section of our website www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Photos used on this site are copyright to the photographers and/or Australian Breastfeeding Association. They may not be reproduced without express permission.

For permission to use photos please contact our Australian Breastfeeding Association Photo Library

Visitors since Sunday February 15th 2004

Send mail to Yvette with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: September 08, 2008