Post #102836 by Geeky Tiki on Tue, Jul 20, 2004 1:33 PM

I enjoyed taking some classes with my wife before baby number one.

We took a class on breast feeding because my wife's mom was from an era of bottle feeding and we really didn't know what to expect for the best way to pump, freeze, do proper nipple care, etc.

It sounds dopey, but we enjoyed the time together and learned about feeding intervals and nutrition for her, safe vitamins, all sorts of things. It made the actual arrival less stressful.

We also took a "get ready to deliver class" that was reassuring to her.

I'm chuckling as I type this 'cause it sounds so dumb-yuppy-guy, but I bet if enough people were offered the chance or had their OB's make it part of the process, we'd have alot fewer people showing up for care for the first time as they are delivering.

I'm not saying we should force anybody, but creating an expectation of preparedness on the part of society may go a long way to helping people cope and do a better job.

I don't know if there is one, but an organization that helps parents organize their home and get their shit together the first week a baby comes home would help many people. Maybe there are some already, but I'd vote to make it higher profile. I think much of the baby abuse/ child abuse in this world comes from not knowing how to cope with these rather stressful creatures.