Baby Classes

Today, we went to the hospital education center to learn about breastfeeding and general child care.  These classes were easier to take than the labor and delivery class we took a few weeks ago.  In addition to learning the proper latching and feeding techniques, we also learned how to change diapers and swaddle.  Both my diaper and my swaddle fell off the practice baby, but the theory is sound nonetheless.

We also learned about the 5 Ss of consoling a crying baby.  Swaddling is one.  The others are shushing, swinging, sucking, and side-lying.  I’m not so sure about the shushing one.  The doctor was very loudly making static noises directly in the baby’s ear.  The baby stopped crying, but he had a very confused and perturbed look on his face.  He didn’t seem to be enjoying it.  I’m also not sure about the swinging one.  The doctor was juggling the baby and letting his head bounce around, which seems contrary to all I’ve heard about babies.  I guess we’ll see how desperate we get to determine if we’ll try them or not.