Hubs attend lactation class?

Question

Disclaimer:  my husband is a good guy.  Presenting problem:  he is oblivious much of the time (including pre-pregnancy) and does/says lots of ridiculous things.  Most recently he's been complaining about my interrupting his sleep (when it's him backing his booty up into my 36-week-pregnant side of the bed).  Arguing with me about taking the dog out at 11:30 at night, etc.  I can hold my own, though, and it blows over quick-ish. But he's recently said lots of things about not needing to know about feeding our baby because, basically, he'll be sleeping in the spare room.  Even our pediatrician politely shot that down at the meet and greet.  Today is our lactation class and he has asked why he has to go in a few different ways...and I want to throw something at him, but am wondering if I'm being unreasonable.  I think he should be there just so he can develop some empathy for his breastfeeding wife, if not learn what he can do to help!

Answer

I think he should definitely be there so he can assist you and understand the process.

Answer

My husband came to all the classes with me. The lactation class was probably the most important.

I ended up having a C-section and was exhausted and in a lot of pain. It was critical that someone else knew what was going on. I could barely move myself around. He'd help me sit up, get me the BF pillow, get my daughter, and help me get both of us into a comfortable position.

In the end, BFing was critical for both my DD and I's physical and mental health. We BF for 20 months and never would have been successful without his help.

Answer

Try explaining to him you need him to just be a support system. Breastfeeding is hard and often times in the first few weeks you will be tempted to throw in the towel and give formula. Having someone there to encourage you and remind you
Of what's best for baby helps to push through. Well it did in my case, we never took lactation classes but wish we had after the 1st one. The struggle is real and support and knowledge make a world of difference.

Answer

Of course he needs to be there! If only to stop him from saying "baby is crying your milk must not be enough quick get the formula!!" (My husband actually said this to me and I almost murdered him). He needs to support you and understand how it works, the fact that breastfed babies often wake more, nurse more frequently, have cluster feeds in the evenings, don't need anything "measured" to know how much they're eating. It's a lot different than formula and many people don't have experience with it and think it's going badly when in fact it's normal behavior.

Answer

It's true that he won't be able to do much but if nothing else is good for him to understand how hard it can be. If it helps you can tell him that when I went to my lactation class there were minimum 20 pregnant ladies there and only one of the husbands didn't come. The poor girl seemed really dissapointed that her partner wouldn't come when she saw that literally every other man had come.

Answer

He's probably just puffing out his chest and clinging to his man card a bit. 
My husband makes jokes like this often and he is just a little shy about my changing body and how much attention is on the baby now. 
Drag him to class and ignore his outburst.

Answer

It's all about support. You'll be feeding baby, but it gets frustrating and it would be nice for hubby to be there so he can understand what you're going through and how to help when you're about to lose your mind.

Answer

He came and swears he didn't know BF was so "hard" and that dads can help...he's the type where he needs to hear it from someone besides me.  So glad we're having a girl!  Thanks for all the support, ladies :)

Hubs attend lactation class?

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