The Best Online Breastfeeding Class That Makes Learning Easy

The amazing online breastfeeding course I took to prepare for successful breastfeeding.

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Long before I ever saw my first positive pregnancy test, I felt nervous about breastfeeding. Some friends and acquaintances had warned me that breastfeeding could be difficult and painful. I disliked the stigma placed on moms who chose to formula feed. I worried about feeling chained to my baby, and I didn’t want to feel like a machine whose only purpose was to feed a hungry child. I fully gave myself permission not to breastfeed if I found it didn’t work for me.

But I also decided to learn as much as I could and at least give it a try. It took a lot of work during my pregnancy and after my baby arrived, but I did get over my fears about breastfeeding. I know not everyone is able to breastfeed or even wants to, but if you’re pregnant and nervous about breastfeeding, I hope my experience may provide you with some strategies for overcoming your fears.

The Best Pre-Natal Breastfeeding Education

When I have a question, I typically dive into research mode. I wanted to learn as much as I could about breastfeeding before my baby was born. First, I read the breastfeeding chapter in the pregnancy book I kept at my bedside. While that provided a simple introduction, I wanted to seek out classes offered by professional lactation consultants. I felt incredibly lucky to find an online on-demand breastfeeding course created by an IBCLC certified lactation specialist. I knew enrolling in this class would me to address my breastfeeding fears.

The Best Online On-Demand Breastfeeding Class

One day I was scrolling through Instagram and happened upon a photo of a mom holding a new baby. In the caption she described her initial struggles with breastfeeding and mentioned that she’d taken classes from a company called Lactation Link. Those classes made all the difference for her. I clicked over to Lactation Link’s amazing Instagram account and began learning about this innovative program for delivering information about breastfeeding to expectant mothers in a convenient and practical way.

Created by a IBCLC certified lactation consultant, Lactation Link’s signature 3 Video Bundle includes courses on Breastfeeding Basics, Breastfeeding Hurdles & How Tos, and Pumping & Storing Breastmilk. These videos cover all kinds of breastfeeding information, including a video demonstration of how to achieve a correct latch. These classes made a huge difference for me. They provided useful information that I was able to use as a great foundation for successful breastfeeding. I watched these videos twice before delivery and referred to them again in the first few weeks of pregnancy. They were an invaluable resource! I loved having the ability to watch them at home, on-demand, any time I wished.

Breastfeeding Basics Class

In the first video, I learned breastfeeding basics. I referred to this video most often. I found the video demonstration of how to achieve a proper latch especially helpful. This video is packed with valuable information that demystifies breastfeeding for beginners.

Breastfeeding Hurdles & How Tos Class

I wanted to be aware of possible breastfeeding hurdles so I could feel prepared. In the second video, Breastfeeding Hurdles & How Tos, I learned about many possible problems I might encounter as a breastfeeding mom.

Pumping and Storing Breast Milk Class

The third Lactation Link video, Pumping and Storing Breast Milk, covers important guidelines for how to safely store expressed milk. This video provided me with a simple framework for building a freezer stash quickly.

I strongly encourage you to buy this 3 Video Bundle! I even recommend it to mothers who are having their second or third child, simply because there’s so much helpful information.

You can also follow Lactation Link on Instagram, where its creator, Lindsey Shipley, often answers questions mamas ask her about breastfeeding. She provides lots of evidence-based information. It’s an educational platform and a supportive community. (P.S. If you subscribe to the Lactation Link newsletter you’ll be the first to know when these classes go on sale, which is only a few times a year!)

In addition to the 3 Video Bundle, Lactation Link offers In-Person Breastfeeding Classes, e-Consults, and In-Person Consults. While the In-Person services are usually reserved for women living in Utah, e-Consults are available to women everywhere!

Lactation Link’s on-demand classes helped me overcome my fears about breastfeeding by providing useful information about how to acquire breastfeeding skills. They built my confidence by giving me solutions to common problems and preparing me for what to expect. For me, this course is absolutely a baby registry essential. I pretty much nag my close friends who are expecting until they buy it!

In-Person Breastfeeding Course

As a companion to the childbirth class that was offered by the hospital where I delivered, I attended a two-hour in-person breastfeeding course a few weeks prior to delivery. While the information was not as in-depth as what I learned from Lactation Link, I did get to hear some tips and tricks that were useful later. The class was offered by a lactation consultant that happened to be on call during my hospital stay. I appreciated seeing her familiar face at my bedside when I needed breastfeeding support. An in-person breastfeeding class can be a great introduction to breastfeeding. It can help you to learn what kinds of resources are available in your community and introduce you to a board certified lactation consultant.

Interviewing Friends and Family About Breastfeeding

In my research phase, I sought out information from friends and family members who had positive experiences with breastfeeding. I asked many questions and heard how they overcame struggles along the way. In opening up this discussion with them, I knew I could count on them for support if I ran into problems.

By taking classes, meeting a lactation consultant, and asking questions, I prepared myself for success. Still, I couldn’t fully conquer my fears of breastfeeding until I actually tried it.

Applying Information From An Online Breastfeeding Course

I knew breastfeeding might not come naturally and knew that it would be a skill that my baby and I would both be acquiring for the first time. It wasn’t easy at first, and it was painful! (Never ending pain was one of my biggest breastfeeding fears! I found using this all-natural nipple butter from Earth Baby Angel Mama helped to soothe the pain between frequent feedings.) When I ran into problems, I tried to conquer my fears by applying what I had learned. For example, I knew from Lactation Link that I could express milk and feed it to my baby with a spoon if we weren’t latching successfully. I used this strategy multiple times in the hospital before my milk came in, and my baby had exceeded her birth weight by the time she had her first doctor’s appointment. Knowing that she was gaining weight gave me more confidence that I was doing something right and to keep trying. Applying what I learned showed me that I could tackle my fear that it breastfeeding was going to be too difficult.

Asking for Help With Breastfeeding

I asked for help almost immediately. I saw three lactation consultants in the hospital before I found one that I liked. She helped me find a nursing position that worked for me. I asked for help because I knew I was a beginner. Asking for help allowed me to check my progress, identify ways to improve, and get encouragement when I needed it. If I hadn’t asked for help, I might have become overwhelmed and unable to continue.

In addition to help from professionals, I also asked for help from my husband. He supported my decision to breastfeed, and we were both committed to giving it our best. There was one night in particular that I was sure I just couldn’t succeed, but we worked together to troubleshoot problems and overcome unexpected obstacles.

Investing in Breastfeeding Supplies

In the early months of breastfeeding, I relied on many helpful accessories that supported me. You can find all the products I recommend to make breastfeeding less intimidating in the Ultimate Breastfeeding Checklist for New Moms. In that post, I describe each product in detail. Please look it over and let me know if you have any questions!

Sticking With It To Overcome Breastfeeding Fears

In the early weeks of breastfeeding, one of my breastfeeding fears was that it wasn’t going to get easier. I worried that my baby wasn’t eating enough, and that I could not go on for longer than six weeks. But I made the short-term goal to try to breastfeed for six weeks. Once I got past those six weeks, I tried to commit to making it to three months. Before I knew it, my goal was to breastfeed for a year! By that point my fears had turned to confidence as I had mastered the latch, managed a schedule, and knew my baby girl was thriving. As I practiced, my confidence increased. Eventually breastfeeding became easy and even pleasant. Because it was easy, I weaned slowly and breastfed successfully for sixteen months. I never would have imagined that I could continue beyond a year and actually enjoy it!

Are You Nervous About Breastfeeding?

I managed my breastfeeding fears by taking classes, asking for help, and sticking with it. These strategies helped to keep me informed, healthy, and prepared as a new mom. If you’re nervous about breastfeeding, please know that you’re not alone! It can be overwhelming, and there’s definitely a learning curve. I hope you’ll consider these strategies as you prepare to bring a new baby into your home.

If you’re an expectant mom that has some breastfeeding fears, I’d love to answer your questions in the comments!