Nct class

[Fortheloveofbaths]

Wasn't sure whether to do Nct or not but decided to so I could meet other mums in the area 😊 paid the money etc all good.

Included is a bf session which I thought would be super helpful as I've no clue really!

Anyway so far we have had 3 (out of 5) sessions rearranged or venue changed. This has made it difficult for us as I don't drive and had to meet dh after work but we have made it work and got to all the sessions. The bf session was meant to be tonight and I've just had a text to say it's cancelled (no reason given) and that hopefully they will be able to rearrange.

I'm a bit 🧐 at the wording of the message as it doesn't make it clear if it will be rearranged and when I rang the lady to ask she said she would 'try her best'. Now I understand that life happens (although I don't know the reason that it has been cancelled) but we have paid a lot of money (£250) for this course. Aibu as I know Nct is a charity?

Most welcome love. Some of what she says sounds batty - the sandwich bit for a start... - but with a baby in your arms it makes complete sense. My boobs are way bigger than my baby’s head and the logistics seem odd but I’m really enjoying feeding and it’s so handy. She howled when she had her first jabs and was fine as soon as I’d popped her on. Tired, grumpy, sore, hungry (obvs) I can settle her so quickly.

I wore them for most of the last trimester when wires became uncomfortable. I was looking for a proper structured feeding bra in John Lewis last week and they sell the same as the link I posted for about £20 more

They’re cheap and good quality so give them a whirl. I’ve found proper feeding bras in figleaves, pricey but pretty and comfy. I wouldn’t bother till your milk’s come in for something structured as you don’t know what size you’ll need.

@AnneLovesGilbert yes that's mainly why I want to bf. I remember how content my sister (a lot younger!) was when my mum bf her and the lovely bond they had 😊

I think you'd be perfectly reasonable to ask for some sort of refund and I'm surprised a school has so many unexpected events.

My antenatal was local midwives not NCT, but the only bits I found really useful were a discussion of different pain relief options (better to know the pros and cons whilst in a rational state of mind!) and the 'role play' of what happens in an emergency - which was what I subsequently experienced.

I'd hoped to meet other mums/parents but actually the best thing for this was a new mums' course provided by health visitors which covered weaning, play, massage etc.

For breastfeeding if you look into which groups are available for post birth support near you most are happy for you to go along pre-birth (obviously check with leader first). A good way to talk to other mothers about the reality of it. The ones near us were run by local health trust (gp or hospital would have info) and the la leche league (in my experience that was a bit more 'alternative' but i did meet some nice people there and leader was very supportive). Hope your nct leader sorts themselves out. They sound a bit rubbish.

Just because NCT is a charity doesn't mean you shouldn't get what you paid for. Complain, and ask for a refund/ partial refund.

With the price they charge, I fail to see how the NCT is remotely a charity. Nothing wrong with the classes, but it's a joke to pretend it's anything other than a business. They organise classes and various things to which people pay - a lot - to attend, most things are run by volunteers!

It's a nice little money maker.

Classes are run by paid practitioners. Those are commercial activities generating funds to support the charitable activities of the organisation.

Local activities like groups are run by volunteers and are definitely under the charitable umbrella.

NCT class leaders also generally have no medical qualifications. They are not midwives like the nhs classes. They are enthusiastic amateutltsmi personally would not go to an amateur dentist or car mechanic so I won't be taking birthing advice from one either!

NCT classes are great to meet people, and can be great if you are lucky to meet a great class leader - open to discuss c-section, bottle feeding and so on (I did)

No one has any medical qualification in there!

I am not against the NCT, but I think it's very misleading to present it as a charity when it's just a money making business.

NCT head office would be very interested to learn of one of their reps acting like that I'm sure. Not even having a venue for the class is incredibly poor.

My friend said the only thing the classes were any good for is meeting the "right" kind of mum friends! She was being sarcastic, all the mums to be were stuck up snobs by all accounts

Practitioners hold degree-equivalent qualifications.

NCT is a charity with commercial activities. This is no different to any other charity.

I write as a long-standing volunteer, mostly now a former volunteer. You can criticize them for many things, especially some of their recent social media missteps, and their management team, but they are still a charity.

'Degree equivalent qualifications' in what subjects? From where?

www.nct.org.uk/about-us/nct-training

This is pretty poor from the NCT. I would speak to them and ask for your money back.

I would also strongly advise you to find another breastfeeding class to attend. I live in London and there were lots including a really good one at the hospital where I gave birth. Despite what some people will tell you, breastfeeding is not intuitive. Your chances of being able to successfully breastfeed will be greatly increased if you get help in advance.

I would also find out what your local breastfeeding support services are in advance because the chances are, you will need them. I found the following invaluable:

www.laleche.org.uk/
The National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212

Also look for local mums groups that include breastfeeding support. There is a lot of help out there if you know where to look. And a lot of people you can call at 3am when you’re tired and stressed.

The foundation degree linked to above is not compulsory though is it? Many people leading NCT classes will have only attended their own children's births?

NCT practitioners are trained in antenatal education, not midwifery.

From the website: "All NCT courses are led by specially trained and experienced practitioners who understand what matters to new mums and dads."

I'm fairly disgruntled with the organisation, so not seeking to defend them particularly, but there are perceptions about them that are factually incorrect.

That said, the OP should seek redress from them.

Yes so specially trained in what and by whom? It's very hard to find a minimum qualification level on the website.

All the information I have is on the training link I posted.

That training is optional.

Where does it say that?

The point I'm making is the nhs classes are run by qualified midwives who deliver babies every day. NCT classes are not.

"Training" can mean going through a session in 1 hour, there's no information that you wouldn't know yourself.

It's reassuring, but there's nothing ground-breaking or really medical.

People who attend the classes can be anybody, just because someone ended up in a "stuck up snob" class doesn't mean everybody is.

I just feel that the NCT should lose out the "charity" nonsense and be more honest - but to be fair, they might then struggle to recruit volunteers. So many things are run by them, a business would have no way to explain why they are all unpaid.

actually, it's a bit more than 1 hour, but most of the training is about running the course, less about the actual content.

Level 4 (compulsory modules) - one year full-time or two years part-time
Reflective practice and listening skills.
Facilitating learning in groups.
Giving birth.
Breastfeeding knowledge.
New baby - new family.

It's misleading to think you are next to medical or trained professionals.