Mandatory new parent education

[Beeoneacu]

I really want to push for mandatory parenting classes for new parents. I feel that Ob's rely on mother's to do reading on their own and they often do not. The father's often do no reading at all. Breastfeeding is encouraged but without any discussion of proper breastfeeding procedures.

There is a lot of focus on birth education but very little focus on parent education.

What can we do to start a nationwide new parent education program?

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

As in, funded and implemented by the federal government? Technically, you would lobby your House rep and Senators to write legislation to accomplish this. Realistically, that has a snowball's chance in hell in the current political climate, and will continue to do so until our Congress leans much, much further to the left.

However, you could try to get this created on a smaller scale---get involved with the local health department, join the Nurse Family Partnership, etc.

I agree that there's a need for this, it's just not going to happen anytime soon on a federal level.

[PNCC2001]

Many state Medicaid programs have Perinatal Care Coordinators that are certified by them who provide in-home pregnancy, nutrition and postpartum education. You also can develop a referral list of Antepartum, Birth and Postpartum Doulas and Monitrices who provide childbirth education and other services in your area; and provide those to patients.

[Beth1978]

Unfortunately if your parents to be are more interested in their IPhone than their baby, you are in for an uphill battle. Maybe you could research pregnancy apps that they can download that show baby's development, important nutritional needs for that trimester, and breastfeeding education? Many of the apps also follow the child for several years, like the "What to Expect" series of books. I would lean towards technology to fill this need, many people simply don't read unless it's on a screen.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I see no point in doing mandatory parenting classes. It is not an OB's job to police parenting and I'm pretty sure the baby will come if they take parenting classes or not.

What are you going to do if they don't participate? Refuse to see the patient?

What needs to change is the 15 minute appointments and full utilization of CNMs, WHNPs, doulas, and lactation consultants.

[GoodDay2017]

At least better education regarding what to expect in labor and postpartum and what will be expected of them.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I really want to push for mandatory parenting classes for new parents. I feel that Ob's rely on mother's to do reading on their own and they often do not. The father's often do no reading at all. Breastfeeding is encouraged but without any discussion of proper breastfeeding procedures.

There is a lot of focus on birth education but very little focus on parent education.

What can we do to start a nationwide new parent education program?

Mandatory implies force. Force is antithetical to education.

Rethink it.

[Julius Seizure]

I agree with LibraSun. Starting a nationwide program like this is best done by starting a LOCAL program first. Trying to go national right away is putting the cart before the horse, in my opinion.