Yesterday evening logged on to the Rotunda breastfeeding class and I have to say I was extremely disappointed in it 😞 The midwife who delivered the class had no presentation and there didnt seem to be a structure that she followed for the class. She shared her screen 4-5 times and it was to share QR codes to resources and basically go off there now and read and watch them. No discussion or showing latches, feeding positions, benefits to mam or baby. She then told us that the in person classes are over subscribed and only accept 30 women at a time. Next available one will be mid feb but theyre prioritising women who are certain dates. Since the class Ive logged onto the Rotunda website and accessed the pre recorded feeding class which was much more informative. Anyone else had this experience with the class or was I just unlucky yesterday 🤔
Thst sounds rough. I did this one and found it very good!
https://babyacademy.ie/free-class/free-breastfeeding-preparation-class/
I second this. I did this one and the paid one, all the information you need is in the free one. Might be worth touching base with a lactation consultant too!
I found this one really informative too, I’m planning on doing the paid one as well. It’s worth touching base with the hospital and getting the details for their lactation consultant. I know in a lot of hospitals they try to get to all new mum’s in the first few days, but they obviously aren’t on site 24/7 so it might be worth having their number so you can schedule an appointment. All postnatal care including lactation consultants are included up to the first 6 weeks.
HSE also has a live lactation consultant chat available 10-3 Monday to Friday:
https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/breastfeeding/ask-our-breastfeeding-expert/
Sorry to hear you’ve had that experience!
I attended a free online class hosted by La Leche League and thought it was excellent, very informative! I can only recommend looking up your local breastfeeding group and getting in touch with them. All the best to you and baby :)
Send a feedback email about it if you can, and look up your local Cuidiú, La Leche league or Friends of Breastfeeding groups and volunteers, or an Antenatal Ireland Breastfeeding Workshop, they’re great ways to get real life information and support.
I completed the survey after the class. So many on the call were saying 'so informative, thank you etc' and I wondered did I miss something
To be honest, most hospitals give shite, outdated advice anyway. I'd see if you can find a La Leche League or Cuidiu class. Also have a look in your area for a breastfeeding support group. They are great to attend even before your baby is born.
https://www.kennys.ie/shop/practical-breastfeeding-an-illustrated-guide-for-parents-caoimhe-whelan-illustrated-by-lauren-rebbeck-9781914487392
This book is great, written by an Irish iblc.
As others have said, local in person breast feeding groups can be helpful. Also some PHNs run breast feeding groups in health centres too.
Tbh i found the breast feeding support in the rotunda post natal a bit hit and miss, very variable; so I'm not too surprised to hear the antenatal class wasn't great.
It's a shame, there needs to be more dedicated IBLCs employed in maternity hospitals that are available 7 days a week. I have come across a handful of midwives that were knowledgeable and helpful, some of the others just mashed my breast into my baby's face and then pushed strongly to try formula. Supporting breast feeding can take time, which is something the post natal staff didn't have.
There's also free formula freely distributed with a trolley of little bottles being pushed around the ward several times a day - but no breast feeding trolley with nipple shields, etc.
Ha, same experience, I understand being realistic but a good part of it was basically: here are all the reasons you will struggle to breastfeed along with lots of links to QR codes. Definitely not empowering! Very old school. I watched the videos on the Rotunda website about latch and they were helpful.
I had the same experience! But I also attended half of the one a month ago that was presented by a different midwife and found it a lot better tbh. The woman yesterday was a bit intimidating and I left feeling more nervous about needing birth interventions rather than feeling more confident in breastfeeding. The in person antenatal classes are much better if you can get into one of them. I did the private one back in October and just went to the class yesterday as a refresher because baby is due any second now, and honestly wish I hadn’t!
Yep. I’m due at the end of the month and tried for weeks to get into an in person breastfeeding class with no luck!
Really sorry to hear that 😔 it's so frustrating because the breastfeeding class is only once a month online and they advise you only do it from 28 to 35 weeks so youre limited already with accessing classes let alone accessing in person classes. Hopefully youll get sorted for an in person class
They told me the next one is May!! I’ve been asking since October :( think I’m just going to go to local breastfeeding groups once baby is here if I need to
I would contact them again as she said theres a class end of the month and 14th feb but only 30 places on each class
That doesnt sound right, surprised they were like that.
https://www.lalecheleagueireland.com/breastfeeding-information
I went to one of their online introduction to BF sessions. Thought it was lovely, very knowledgeable leaders too! Highly recommended and there's no fee!
I was really surprised too especially when you see the content of the pre recorded education.
It wasnt even live? The coombe also have video which are on their website but infairness the videos were good to watch.
I found the rotunda online absolutely terrible. However the lactation consultant when I gave birth was brilliant. Think it was the same woman but youd have never thought because the online session was useless and would put you off BF to be honest.
Nursing Mama is brilliant, she gives loads of free advice on TikTok. I found her so helpful and she provides a course you can pay for also.
I found the classes I did pretty useless, you’d get more information on YouTube to be honest.
I got excellent help in the delivery room from my midwife who helped me get a good latch and my baby had his first feed within minutes of birth.
I got more help on the ward from the nurses, they showed me different positions and checked the latch every time he fed. By the time i was going home I had a really good latch and knew how get him into position. The public health nurse came a couple of days later and she was another great resource and gave me confidence that it was going well etc.
Really push for help in the hospital, you could attend a million classes but it’s not until you are holding your baby will it really make sense.