Can you help with info to present my course?

tod123

As many of you are aware, I do a great deal of work with the local parish council , the council has recently benefited from a private donation (part of the big society initiative) and being one of the more high profile members I have been asked to present a 10 week (one session a week) course for new mums.

The two topics that are to be covered are

• why its important to breast feed your baby
• the harm disposable nappies do to the environment

So far I have picked up a leaflet from the local surgery on breast feeding , and I am now looking for some more resources if anyone has any links that would be a great start!

ailuro2

Contact the la leche league they will be able to give you tonnes of info about breastfeeding, where to get help with it etc.

contact some of the reuseable nappy companies to ask for info and maybe some info to show what the reuseables look like.

the best thing we had at ante natal classes was a real live breastfeeding Mum who came and told us how it had gone for her, real live people who are pro-breast feeding and reusing nappies are a good way forward as it lets the Mums ask them questions.

clearingout

google reusable nappies - the major companies selling usually have locally-based advisors who will travel to do demonstrations. The ones that spring to mind are Lollipop and Babykind and I think Little Lambs also have advisors but they would be pushing their own nappies rather than showing what is available.

Anne_D_3

As a mum that went to a lot of courses like this, I would advice you not to worry very much about the content of your course. It's important, of course, but you'll find a lot of information online. But you should focus on the structure and dialogue with the future mums, as, when the time comes, they won't remember much . I'm speaking from my point of view, but my friends agree... All I remembered (after 3 months of breastfeeding techniques courses) that breastfeeding will keep my baby healthy...

Errata

Sounds a bit bizarre taking ten weekly sessions to tell mums something that can easily be covered in an hour.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Don't forget to include the facts that not everyone is able to use washable nappies, due to cost/lack of space for drying/lack of money to buy them upfront and that not everyone is able or willing to breastfeed.

New mums get quite enough 'encouragement'/'patronising' from so called experts, older relatives and random people in the street, so yet another load of sessions where people are told they are a bit rubbish if they don't manage to follow the arbitrary rules about being middleclass parents, is going to be a waste of the Big Society's Donation.

tod123

The point of it being a ten week course is so I can keep an eye on how things progress and offer encouragement and support to those who are finding it hard going and need a bit of a boost to get them back on track.

There will be funds available to help with upfront costs , which is one reason why people will sign up for it , but they have to do all ten sessions to get the funding help.

Mrs.W_2

tod123 wrote: »

........

There will be funds available to help with upfront costs , which is one reason why people will sign up for it , but they have to do all ten sessions to get the funding help.

The course is pre-natal? I ask because if the course is post-natal new mums might find attending all ten sessions a bit of a stretch. Beside all the ususal appointments and stresses that accompany new motherhood, there'll be days when leaving the house will just be 'too much work.' Been there, reluctantly wore the t-shirt.

jenjade

i would find out if your local council offer any insentives for people to use reusable nappies. - some offer cash ?
Contact some people who sell the nappies and ask then to do a talk and bring some nappies for people to look at maybe they could offer a discount to the group?? they will do all the hard work for you!
maybe see if you can get hold of some mums to promote and answer questions on reuseable nappies and breastfeeding. could make a poster asking for volunteers and leave at local docotors, children's centres etc
Good luck

memelalou

Mrs.W wrote: »

The course is pre-natal? I ask because if the course is post-natal new mums might find attending all ten sessions a bit of a stretch. Beside all the ususal appointments and stresses that accompany new motherhood, there'll be days when leaving the house will just be 'too much work.' Been there, reluctantly wore the t-shirt.

Is the course for new mums or expectant?

Also to add to what Mrs.W as said. Most mothers have already decided on whether to breast or bottle fed/what type of nappies. It might be a better idea to offer the lessons to expectant mothers instead.

Also by only giving the discount on reusables to only the mum's who attend all classes might reduce the number of people intrested in the classes alltogether. They may only need advice from x amount of classes. Or are happy with bottle feeding but are very intrested in reusables and could really benefit from a discount, but do not want to attend the breastfeeding class as it's not aimed at them and do not want to feel judged or allienated.

Errata

How many women in your parish will be 'new mums' all at the same time and also have enough time on their hands to listen to you for any length of time every week for ten weeks? Bearing in mind that currently 3 out of 4 babies are breastfed from birth and slightly under half of them are still breastfeeding at 2 months. Additionally, some of the 'new mums' won't be using disposable nappies anyway.
I suspect your pool of potential participants is miniscule once those 'new mum's who have no interest in your 10 week 'course' is added in to the equation.