Have you considered taking online breastfeeding classes but don’t want to spend much money?
I understand. Babies are costly!
New and pregnant mothers need not be concerned about how they will pay for a breastfeeding lesson.
If you know where to look, many excellent free online breastfeeding classes and resources are available.
While breastfeeding is a natural process, it does not promise to be easy or painless.
An online breastfeeding class is a terrific way to learn the basics of breastfeeding while staying in the comfort of your own home.
As you begin your breastfeeding experience, you can build confidence and be much more prepared.
So let’s get started with these tremendous online breastfeeding classes that are both free and inexpensive!
Table of contents
- What Are Online Breastfeeding Classes?
- What Is the Purpose of an Online Breastfeeding Class?
- When Should You Start Using Online Breastfeeding Classes?
- How Much Do the Online Breastfeeding Classes Cost?
- Does Insurance Cover Online Breastfeeding Classes?
- Best Online Breastfeeding Classes Ranking Methodology
- List of the Best Free Online Breastfeeding Classes | 2024
- 1. New Little Life
- 2. Milk Sprout
- 3. Medela
- 4. Simply Breastfeeding
- 5. Milkology – Ultimate Exclusive Breastfeeding and Pumping Class
- 6. Lactation Link
- 7. Breastfeeding Confidential
- 8. Kindle Unlimited
- 9. First Latch
- 10. Breastfeeding Housecalls
- 11. Office on Women’s Health
- 12. Cindy & Jana
- 13. Stanford Medicine
- 14. Minnesota Momma
- 15. This Little Nest
- 16. The Baby Manual
- 17. Tinyhood
- Conclusion
- References
- Writer’s Recommendation
What Are Online Breastfeeding Classes?
From supply and pumping to achieving a good latch and expressing milk, online breastfeeding programs teach you all you need to know about breastfeeding from the comfort of your home computer (or tablet/phone).
They’re usually taught by a nurse practitioner or lactation consultant who has experience assisting new women to learn to breastfeed.
You pay a modest fee to access the course materials, after which you can work your way through the lessons at your own pace.
In most cases, an online program covers the same subject as an in-person session, but you won’t get the same level of hands-on training when watching a video.
If you attend a class in person, an instructor can demonstrate how to place the baby or cup your breast to get a healthy latch on your body.
If you attend an online course but are still unsure about the physical logistics, request a demonstration from your clinician at your next prenatal appointment.
After your baby is born, you may be able to get help from a lactation consultant at your birthing center or hospital.
Check Out: 17 Best Online Child Development Classes in 2024
What Is the Purpose of an Online Breastfeeding Class?
There are numerous reasons to enroll in any breastfeeding class, including those offered online.
These include things like:
- Increasing and preserving your milk supply
- Breastfeeding positions, as well as when and how to use them
- The signs that your baby is getting enough milk and how to tell if he or she is getting enough
- Tongue tie and poor latch are two common breastfeeding issues.
- Common medical problems like thrush, mastitis, and clogged ducts are treated.
- Proper nutrition and caloric intake while breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding in a secure environment (i.e., rooming-in, co-sleeping, medication use)
- Breast pumps can be used as a supplement or sole milk source.
Taking a breastfeeding class will boost your confidence and educate you on troubleshooting any problems that may emerge (and trust us, there will probably be at least one).
It will also tell you how to get aid and support when nursing if you are having difficulties.
See Also: 15 Best Child Birth Classes Online for Beginners in 2024 | Free & Paid
When Should You Start Using Online Breastfeeding Classes?
According to Lamaze International, the best time to take a breastfeeding class is during your third trimester.
If you wait until after your kid is delivered, the knowledge may not be fresh enough in your mind to recall.
If it makes you feel better, aim for the end of your second trimester if you fear going into labor too soon.
It’s generally not a good idea to wait until after the baby is born to enroll in a class; you won’t have the time or energy to do it while caring for a newborn.
Breastfeeding is also more likely to succeed if you get off to a good start—easy it’s to become disheartened if things aren’t going well.
Because you lack the resources to address frequent issues, taking the class and gaining a basic understanding of breastfeeding before starting is ideal.
You Should Read: 21 Best WIC Classes Online in 2024 | Paid & Free
How Much Do the Online Breastfeeding Classes Cost?
The pricing varies, with some classes costing less than $10 and others costing more than $40.
In-person seminars are frequently more expensive (ranging from $60 to $200), thus even if many online courses have a fee, they may be much less expensive.
Read Also: 20 Most Affordable Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Does Insurance Cover Online Breastfeeding Classes?
Many insurance companies pay for in-person breastfeeding lessons, but it’s unclear whether the same is true for online courses.
They’re still a relatively new choice but becoming increasingly popular.
You might get reimbursed through your health spending account in some situations (HSA).
You should verify with your insurance carrier to see if your plan covers the charges entirely or partially.
Best Online Breastfeeding Classes Ranking Methodology
When selecting our top options from the many online nursing courses available, we took into account the following factors:
Saves Cost
One of the advantages of taking a breastfeeding lesson online is that it is usually far less expensive than attending an in-person program.
We looked for classes under $10 so that you may take advantage of the pricing difference between online and in-person options.
Except for one, all of the classes listed below will most likely be less expensive.
Expertise:
You already have many “experts” in your life (ranging from your mother-in-law to a nosy coworker) teaching you how to nurse.
If you’re taking an online class, ensure the person guiding you has real-world experience guiding breastfeeding moms.
Lactation consultants and instructors, registered nurses, breastfeeding product firms, and moms like you produced the courses here.
Variety:
Not only do novices require assistance; parents returning to work for the first time after their baby is born, moms who had difficult births or are facing issues like oversupply, and even moms breastfeeding for the second or third time with additional small children may require assistance.
We aimed to provide a range of classes that any mother may take at any stage of her breastfeeding journey.
List of the Best Free Online Breastfeeding Classes | 2024
1. New Little Life
Allison Tolman is a lactation consultant, nurse, childbirth educator, and birth doula.
New Little Life was born out of her desire to share her expertise and experience with other women.
Allison will be available for lactation consultations via home visits in Virginia Beach, VA or telehealth shortly.
- Consultation on breast pumps
- Breastfeeding is beneficial.
- Consultation during pregnancy
Several insurances are accepted, and superbills are provided for you to submit for reimbursement to your insurance company.
2. Milk Sprout
Sarah Lang, a mother of four and RN IBCLC, founded Milk Sprout Online.
She teaches nursing, pumping, and a mini-course on introducing a bottle to your baby.
Learn the fundamentals of nursing to have a successful breastfeeding journey through their breastfeeding basics online class.
As you prepare to return to work or spend time away from your baby, learn the best procedures for pumping and preserving breastmilk.
3. Medela
On its website, Medela features a program called “The Mom’s Room” that provides free educational tools for nursing mothers.
To begin receiving tips and techniques, free gifts, and access to experts, sign up for a free account here.
They also provide a great online breastfeeding education called “Breastfeeding University” for moms.
Enrollment in the program is $25.
However, if you register a Medela Pump on their website, you will receive free access to the course!
The good news is that health insurance makes you almost certainly eligible for a free, high-quality pump.
Benefits like this are one of the main reasons I advise expectant mothers to obtain their breast pumps before their baby arrives.
4. Simply Breastfeeding
Simply Breastfeeding is a course for the mother who likes to plan.
A mother who invests in this course wants to be fully prepared for any challenges that may arise while navigating the art and magic of nursing.
This new mom also doesn’t want to get the best and most reliable breastfeeding tools and techniques until she’s sleep deprived and worried.
Here’s a link to an online breastfeeding class that aims to give every parent the essential breastfeeding information they need to feel confident and prepared from the first feed.
5. Milkology – Ultimate Exclusive Breastfeeding and Pumping Class
Stacey’s Ultimate Breastfeeding Class is one of the most popular and economical online breastfeeding courses.
This online nursing lesson has attracted more moms than anyone I know.
In fact, this is Milkology’s very first and most popular online breastfeeding course.
This all-video online breastfeeding program is for moms who want a visually stimulating and educational introduction to breastfeeding.
Also, this course is a great place to start learning how to have the best breastfeeding relationship with your new bundle of joy if you’re that mama.
Above all, there are engaging visualizations, graphs, and audio courses with voice-over.
6. Lactation Link
Lactation Link is a well-known provider of online breastfeeding classes. In their network, they have a lot of great prenatal courses.
Pregnant mothers should take this course as a prenatal introduction to nursing.
Because any mom who enrolls in this course must be searching for a high-production, well-executed course that provides her with all of the information she requires to improve her breastfeeding confidence.
It’s also worth noting that this is the most expensive of all the nursing courses shown to you today.
Lactation Link, on the other hand, is still at the top of its game when giving the best online breastfeeding classes.
7. Breastfeeding Confidential
Andrea Tran, RN, IBCLC, of Breastfeeding Confidential, has a fantastic blog full of helpful information for breastfeeding mothers.
Subscribers also have access to a free resource library with free e-books, printable feeding records, pumping checklists, a make more milk recipe booklet and more!
Andrea is also the author of “Breastfeed Like a Boss: 52 Tips for Breastfeeding the First Year.” To learn more, go here.
8. Kindle Unlimited
Reading books is still an excellent approach to learning about a subject. And I know how to gain them for free!
Start a 30-day free trial of Kindle Unlimited to get unlimited access to books, including popular nursing titles like:
- Robin Kaplan’s Latch
- Dr. Jack Newman on Breastfeeding
- Amanda Frey’s Breastfeeding Handbook
- Nobody Tells You by Becca Maberly is a novel written by Becca Maberly.
9. First Latch
FirstLatch.Net is a website offering lactation and breastfeeding education, particularly for breastfeeding supporters (such as nurses.)
They do, however, provide a free online breastfeeding class for parents.
Hospitals pursuing Baby-Friendly Hospital certification can take advantage of FirstLatch’s online education.
Their three-part video training session includes how to start nursing immediately, avoid and solve common breastfeeding issues, and what family and friends should know to help breastfeeding women.
10. Breastfeeding Housecalls
This lactation clinic in Texas offers a free online prenatal breastfeeding class.
This course delves into how the lactating breast works and how to manage to nurse.
If you’ve come to this website, you probably have more questions than answers about nursing. If that’s the case, you’ve come to the perfect place for help deciphering everything you’ve read, heard, and wondered about!
Feel free to browse the site, get to know them, read their Breastfeeding Blog, learn about tongue ties, and pumping, and even take our free online prenatal breastfeeding class!
11. Office on Women’s Health
This simple guide to breastfeeding is available in PDF format and may be printed or downloaded directly to your iPad, eReader, or smartphone.
The breastfeeding resource films cover a wide range of themes, including how to breastfeed successfully, staying healthy and eating well, and daddy responsibility, to mention a few.
So, pregnant women can access a wealth of free information from the US Office on Women’s Health, including a free Guide to Breastfeeding and video trainings.
12. Cindy & Jana
Cindy and Jana, who have worked as lactation consultants for over 20 years, have a great website dedicated to breastfeeding instruction.
Simply Breastfeeding’s Cindy and Jana offer this free training as an introduction to their flagship breastfeeding session.
While their flagship online breastfeeding course costs $40, they provide a complimentary ebook and a free preview video lesson on optimal breastfeeding positions!
It consists of three short video lectures (about 30 minutes) covering a few hot subjects in breastfeeding and some useful hints.
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13. Stanford Medicine
The Stanford Medicine website has a plethora of free breastfeeding video trainings and instructional handouts.
After delivering my first child in the hospital, they were one of the first resources my lactation consultant directed me to.
The videos are good and cover the following topics:
- Preparing for Successful Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding in the First Hour
- A Perfect Latch
- Hand Expressing Milk
- Breastmilk Storage and Shipping
- & much more!
14. Minnesota Momma
It’s a terrific place to start if you’re a busy parent who wants to learn everything there is to know about nursing.
Sign up for my FREE 6-day breastfeeding crash course if you’re new to nursing or just want a refresher!
Trust me; you’ll be at ease and self-assured in no time.
Here’s what we’ll talk about:
- Breastfeeding Fundamentals
- Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Challenges and Solutions in Breastfeeding
- Positions for Successful Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Information
- Tips for Breastfeeding
Jen, an RN, and writer at Minnesota Momma, is offering a free 6-day breastfeeding crash email course to new subscribers on her site!
15. This Little Nest
Toni, a mother of three and writer at This Little Nest, offers a free breastfeeding email course called “Breastfeeding 101,” in which you will learn how to breastfeed like a pro!
This is yet another free course that is excellent for novices seeking information and recommendations.
16. The Baby Manual
The Baby Manual offers a variety of excellent courses, including a comprehensive baby care course for new parents and a comprehensive breastfeeding course for new mothers.
Hospitals, doulas, pregnancy centers, lactation consultants, and adoption agencies all use “The Baby Manual” to train thousands of parents nationwide.
They are offering free breastfeeding training to encourage new mums during the Covid-19 outbreak!
Here is the link to their homepage, where you may sign up!
If you want to buy any other class, use the baby manual coupon code “stork” for a 10% discount.
17. Tinyhood
Tinyhood’s breastfeeding courses are broken down into bite-sized sections that address specific nursing issues one at a time.
How to Tell If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk, Common Breastfeeding Challenges: Sore Nipples, Clogged Ducts, and Engorgement, and Pumping and Building a Stash: Storing and Using Breast Milk are among Tinyhood’s breastfeeding resources.
There are also two 101-style courses, one on raising your milk supply and the other on covering all the basics.
Each comprises multiple short videos provided by an IBCLC, allowing you to learn much without wasting time.
Are Free Online Breastfeeding Classes Worth It?
Free online breastfeeding classes can be a valuable resource for new mothers who want to learn about breastfeeding before and after giving birth. These classes can provide important information on breastfeeding techniques, breast milk production, and common breastfeeding challenges.
They may also offer tips on establishing a good breastfeeding routine and handling common issues such as sore nipples, engorgement, and mastitis.
That being said, free online breastfeeding classes can still be a valuable resource for mothers looking to supplement their knowledge or who may not have access to other breastfeeding resources.
Conclusion
One of the most common challenges new parents confront is breastfeeding their newborn.
There are a variety of resources available to assist you in figuring out how to make it work, such as attending a course or consulting with a lactation consultant one-on-one.
But what if getting support in person isn’t an option? The internet is your new breastfeeding BFF.
Check out the best and free online breastfeeding classes in 2024 here.
References
- verywellfamily.com – Best Online Breastfeeding Classes
Writer’s Recommendation
