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Original poster

Offering parenting classes for pre and post nanal parents.. Good or bad idea?

32 replies

BeckyMumOfThree · 08/02/2013 13:51

Hi ladies,

Hmm Im new to posting on here and really would appreciate some feedback/ advice on what peoples thoughts are of paying to go classes to learn about the basics of looking after and preparing for a baby. Parents and parents to be will be introduced to a variety of tried and tested techniques and support around various aspects in the "4th trimester" such as feeding, sleeping, bathing and colic. The advice and techniques are shown as options for parents to try and make up their own minds what works for them and their baby. The classes are offered as groups or private sessions ranging from £30-60 for 2 hour session. Some health visitors/ midwives or extra support can sometimes be challenging to obtain after having baby and can take weeks to arrange.

I am debabting whether or not there is a market for this sort of thing before i commit myself to doing the training and parting with any finances. Would people be willing to attend this sort of thing if it was in their area? What would tick everyones box to attend a class (apart from being free?! LOL) Any advice or feedback would be great! Thanks in advance x Confused

OP posts:
calandarbear · 08/02/2013 13:54

I wouldn't have gone for it. All the lessons in the world can't prepare you for having a baby. I say that as a qualified nursery nurse who had been taught it all but still struggled when my first was born.

babiesinslingsgetcoveredinfood · 08/02/2013 13:56

Not for pre-natal, no one believes that it will be as bad as it is. We had a bit of this in our nct antenatal class & it washed over me as I was so unrealistic.

Postnatally, people who need help may not have time/energy.

Not sure then.

Fakebook · 08/02/2013 14:00

Hi Becky. .

Floggingmolly · 08/02/2013 14:00

I would have with my first, having no family around and feeling truly terrified Smile. I'd think there was definitely a market out there.

nicelyneurotic · 08/02/2013 14:02

Not sure. All that advice is given for free by midwives, health visitors, parents, friends and found on the Internet. Not sure I'd pay for it or want to sit through a talk on managing colic if my child didn't have it, or breast feeding if I was bottle feeding, for example

DeWe · 08/02/2013 14:05

As *babiesinslings" said people don't believe what it's like pre-natal and don't want to.
I had nannied before I had dc, and so I knew a lot of different techniques, but it isn't anything like the reality of your own baby 24/7.
Post-natal, I think you might get a few-but the real people who need help probably won't feel up to it.

I suspect what you'll get is people who want to be given the sure fire way to make your baby sleep through the night at 2 weeks. And expect you to deliver.

Taffeta · 08/02/2013 14:06

I would have paid good money for a hands on training course, ante natal, in the last month, that let me practise changing a nappy and getting a baby grow on.

How to hold the baby, actually having a go at this, what breast feeding looked like, how to make up a bottle, that envelope neck vests can go down over the body when baby has done a leaky poo, all the real minutiae practicalities no one ever told me, that had I known, I would have been a much less nervous parent.

It would be a great gift, maybe from a grandparent to be.

Original poster
BeckyMumOfThree · 08/02/2013 14:09

Thanks all. Hmm some mixed reviews. I agree with you Floggingmolly that some people dont have people they can turn to for advice i.e family and the classes would be more of a group and get together for people too, getting out the house etc.

nicelyneurotic, thanks for your input too. The colic class would be a class on its own so people wouldnt need to sit through it if they were lucky enough to escape this particular hurdle.

All interesting points so far though, thank you all Wink

OP posts:
Skyebluesapphire · 08/02/2013 14:14

When I had my baby, I had no idea how to change a nappy, make up a bottle, breastfeed, bathe them or anything. The midwives in the hospital were too busy to help or show you how to do anything.

I would have loved some sort of course before I gave birth that would have showed me how to do these things.

sparkle12mar08 · 08/02/2013 14:38

Umm, isn't this exactly what the NCT and NHS classes already cover?! They did in my day and that's only 7 years ago...

Taffeta · 08/02/2013 14:54

Not at all. See the Kirstie Allsop/NCT thread in active convos.

Taffeta · 08/02/2013 14:55

95 % of the NHS ante natal classes I went on focused on the birth, not how to look after the baby.

In my mums day, this was taught by midwives during the 10 day stay in hospital....

babiesinslingsgetcoveredinfood · 08/02/2013 15:07

Nct course does a session on this & is available v cheaply Iif in receipt of benefits, so not unattainable for most.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 08/02/2013 15:13

My nct classes did this, so no. Plus HV and midwives give this advice anyway.

What sort of training would you have? Would your advice be based on guidelines and research?

SpottyTeacakes · 08/02/2013 15:21

Is this a BabyCalm thing? (Am I allowed to mention names?!)

DizzyZebra · 08/02/2013 15:28

No, i've had two children, i don't need any classes about birth. If i have a specific condition or anything in future pregnancy i would ask a qualified professional, which as far as i can see, is not you or anyone you would be hiring?

As for post natal... Why would anyone drag their babys out to a class, presumably the fact their baby isn't dead yet says theyre doing ok?

DizzyZebra · 08/02/2013 15:29

Also, may i ask what makes you feel you are qualified to be 'teaching' this sort of thing?

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 08/02/2013 15:48

DizzyZebra
Also, may i ask what makes you feel you are qualified to be 'teaching' this sort of thing?

I'm a children's nurse so I'd like to know too.

babiesinslingsgetcoveredinfood · 08/02/2013 16:52

I'm nosy & judgy so I'd like to know too Grin

valiumredhead · 08/02/2013 16:55

HVs give this advice if needed, I wouldn't pay for a course.

thebody · 08/02/2013 17:16

Not sure becky, I think there might be as a sociable gathering meet up thing to chat and make friends but most post natal women organise this themselves.

I think there are so many polarised opinions on baby and toddler raising and so many differing situations you can't teach a one size fits all.

What are your qualifications? Do you have am ethos?

Sunnywithshowers · 08/02/2013 17:47

YABU to post this in AIBU.

Flisspaps · 08/02/2013 17:58

Don't MN have rules about doing market research without permission?

Sunnywithshowers · 08/02/2013 17:59

Yep.

piprabbit · 08/02/2013 18:02

There are an awful lot of not-for-profit organisations doing this sort of things and chasing government funding. It might mean that you are competing against free (or very low cost) classes.

Perhaps if you make it pricey enough it will appeal to the richer people who don't want to be tarred with the stigma of parenting classes. You'd have to think carefully about the branding to make it seem aspirational.