Birth and Beyond

This update is in regard to the classes offered.
I REALLY appreciate this resource. We’ve taken a few of the classes – Breastfeeding 911, the music and movement class, and just the baby classes. All of these were helpful by making me feel normal and realizing that other moms and babies are going through the same developmental issues. The classes are very laid-​back, welcoming, useful. And a great excuse to get out of the house.
If you are nervous about interrupting your baby’s schedule by getting out, don’t be. You can feed, change, rock, do whatever you need for your baby here, but it’s also good for you to be among other grownups too.
While I still haven’t been back through the shop, I highly recommend taking advantage of the classes. Many are drop-​in, and if the $ 10 is an aversion, they have coupons in the Chinook Book (and on the free Chinook Book iPhone app).

Those who cannot handle TMI should stop here! I will talk about boobs.
The education and services through Birth and Beyond have saved my ass! After the birth of my baby I was having serious nursing problems and pain. I called and the lactation consultant came over THAT DAY. Did I mention it was December 26^th?
She was warm, but no nonsense, knowledgable and prepared. Her name is Barbara Orcutt. She weighed my baby before and after feeding to see how much he was taking in, figured out that my milk was not coming in enough, showed me how to use my breast pump to jump start my production and tube feed my tiny baby for a day or 2 til my nipples healed and I was able to nurse again. She stayed at my house for nearly 2 hours and made me feel perfectly welcome to call her in the days ahead should I have ANY questions.
That was probably the best $ 150 I ever spent.
Then i attended the Breastfeeding 911 (once I was no longer in excruciating pain), where I learned more about positioning and latch. They offer individualized help, but in a group setting. The other lactation consultant is great too, but I forgot her name. It is only $ 10!!!
I have also attended First Weeks and Next Weeks, groups facilitated by Ann Keppler (co-​auther of Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn). Ann Keppler is warm, smart, experienced and open minded. It is a very relaxed informal setting, lots of questions answered, great discussion and sharing of insight and experience with other moms (and Dads). Also only $ 10!
The classes and education at Birth and Beyond are a wonderful resource for new parents. Don’t hesitate, it is a very comfortable place for all types of parents.
They also offer stuff like Music and Movement for babies, Mommy and Me Pilates etc etc.

This is primarily for the 911 breastfeeding class. All I really have to say is if your experiencing any pain GO. My son is only a week but i was fed up and ready to call it quits i wanted to enjoy him not fear him (it hurts if your not BFing correctly).
Anyway I heard about the classes here and I’m SO happy he and i went. There isn’t anymore pain except for healing and they’re very knowledgeable and helpful. They do push the other classes a bit but honestly i dont mind that one bit. I plan on going back for some of the other ones particularly the first weeks.
Oh and did i mention it’s ONLY $ 10? sweet!
As for the store, selection was nice. deffinitly (sp) high end and a bit pricey BUT you get what you pay for. The counter lady was extremely helpful as well. I had bought a moby wrap a while back and she showed me how to use it CORRECTLY so my son actually liked it.WOOHOO.
Thanks ladies!

What an incredible resource for new parents! I can’t say a ton about the selection of merchandise at the store as I’ve only shopped here a handful of times for specific items I knew they stocked (Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, burp towels, Yummy Mummy cookies). The unique strengths of Birth and Beyond are the breastfeeding services and the classes.
f you’ve ever called in to the breastfeeding hotline (for free) and had the pleasure of talking to one of the lactation consultants, that experience alone would equate to a five star review. As a new mother, there are so many things to worry about, including whether you’re making enough milk for your baby. Being able to call in with a specific need and have someone call you back within 2 hours (often less time) all for free? Truly an amazing service.
The drop-​in parenting classes are absolutely incredible. If you are a first-​time parent and you want to normalize your experience and benchmark with other parents in an extremely supportive environment, go to First Weeks, Next Months, etc. Ann Keppler facilitates the classes and she is so thoughtful, encouraging, and fair. I cannot say enough good things about her! Really, how lucky is Seattle to have her! Best part about these classes is they’re cheap ($ 10 donation) and they meet often (twice a week in the early months of your baby’s life).
Had I not learned of First Weeks when my daughter was a mere 4 days old, I would have felt so isolated! The vast majority of our friends are child-​free. I learned so much by attending the classes and gained so much confidence in my abilities as a mother. I also learned about realistic expectations. Let your baby be a baby. Don’t expect your baby to sleep through the night at 3 months old (or even 6+ months old)! I love Ann’s message. It is kind (to parents and babies) and consistent. «This too shall pass.»
I feel very lucky to be a part of the Birth and Beyond community. My daughter (now 6 months old) is a beneficiary of this supportive and amazing resource! Thank you Birth and Beyond!

About 2 months after my baby was born, I was in desperate need of a couple good nursing bras. I was so confused by the selection online; I needed help from a physical store. With the wonderful experience I had regarding the baby carriers, I returned to Birth and Beyond.
The salesperson measured me, confirmed my size, and pulled out several styles for me to try. She answered my concerns about the fit of a few brands and I walked out of there with three comfortable bras that will easily last me through my nursing experience with my babe.

Birth and Beyond is a great resource. A bit smaller than I had expected, but certainly useful and supportive. This review is specifically about Ann Keppler, one of the parent consultants and group facilitators at Birth and Beyond.
When you have a baby, everyone says they’ll be sleeping through the night by 3 months of age.
They are filthy liars who lie.
When our son turned 10-​months-​old and was still waking every three hours all night long for milk, we decided to seek professional help. The conversation went like this.
Husband: I’msotired.
Me: Huh? [rubs eyes, stumbles]
Husband: I’msotiredIcanbarelyseestraight.
Me: Huh? [puts dirty clothes in dishwasher]
Husband: We. Need. Help.
Ann Keppler was fantastic! The meeting was supposed to be 60 – 90 minutes, but she talked to us for two hours! She listened to our concerns, asked about our parenting style, and observed us with our son. The plan development is still up to the parents, but Ann will give you specific age-​appropriate ideas and information in order to assist you. Then, you email her with your plan. She gives feedback… much like a college professor, but one that will make your life SO MUCH BETTER.
And now, he sleeps. HE SLEEPS and I didn’t have to give up a kidney, which I had become willing to do near the end, there.

This review isn’t so much of Birth and Beyond as store, but as an invaluable local resource for new parents. Birth and Beyond offers a number of support groups and classes for the new parent, and I’ve been to several: First Weeks and Next Months drop-​in groups, Breastfeeding 911, Breastfeeding and Back to Work, and Let’s Talk About Sleep. Most of the classes I’ve been to were facilitated by Ann Keppler, a nurse who is exactly who you want to talk to about your parenting freak-​outs. She is calm and not at all prescriptive about what to do, but she outlines your options and normalizes your experience. She is extremely knowledgeable and cites research to support any advice she gives. Honestly? I trust Ann so much that if she told me to jump off a cliff I would consider it.
I also used the Birth and Beyond in-​home lactation consulting service when the hospital-​based LCs at Group Health were just not working out for us for a variety of reasons. I had a really great experience that was really pivotal in developing the successful breastfeeding relationship I now have with my son. Worth every penny.

Probably because I like to make things harder than they need to be (oh, and because I care about the planet my child will live on long after I am gone) I was determined to cloth diaper my baby, at least some of the time!
When I went in, the very lovely shop girl gave me a crash course and showed me the different options for dipeys and covers, and these cool new gadgets that replace pins. They stopped carrying BumGenius, though, which are my faves, in favor of GDiapers, so that was disappointing.
They have awesome classes which are helpful for new parents. Very affordable, especially compared to similar options at the hospitals.
If you are looking for a sling or baby carrier, this should be your first stop. They have them all: Peanut Shell, Beco, Ergo, Moby, etc, and you can try on each one. Lots of darling newborn clothing and eco-​friendly toys and gear. A wealth of knowledge is contained in this store.
You can register online at Birth and Beyond. Skip Babies R Us, and have a much happier shopping experience with a delightful local company!

Great place to buy a baby carrier — they have a good selection of different types (mei tai, ergo, moby, ring slings, etc.) and knowledgeable staff that’ll walk you through the different styles.
The other thing I like about the store is that you can tell someone has thought about the products they’re going to sell. They’re not just stocking items because they might sell (even if they’re not particularly good), they’re stocking items for a reason — a staff member likes it, it’s safe, it works, etc.
Finally, the educational programs they offer next door are great — from First Weeks to Breastfeeding 911, these are fantastic resources for the new mom. So, get a 10-​class card and use it!
Now, I just wish they’d lose some of the cutesy-​wutesy baby memento stuff and use that space for more practical items that a mom can really use. Oh, and please get «cooler» prints for your store-​brand, locally-​made cloth goods.

The store itself is ok, but I have now tried ordering cloth diapers twice online and had problems both times. The first time they didn’t have what I ordered and took their time canceling the order, but the second time they actually sent me the wrong thing, and now I have to deal with returning it., and since their customer service is nothing to rave about, I am sure this will be a hassle as well. And with a newborn this is the last thing I want to be wasting my time with. So the moral is, beware of the web orders.

I don’t see what all the fuss is about. After reading the reviews and looking at the pictures on their website, I expected to be blown away by this store. Instead my reaction is a solid «meh.» The store and selection was fairly small, or at least that was my takeaway impression. I’m probably biased because they didn’t have a single all-​in-​one cloth diaper, which was the whole reason I drove all the way over here from the Eastside. Birth and Beyond, if you’re not going to carry BumGenius all-​in-​ones, then please take the image down from your website.
To be fair, other people might like their nursing bra room/​selection, which looked reasonable sized. The staff seemed very nice and willing to help and the store was clean and warmly lit, very friendly. They also had a pretty good selection of baby slings and other granola baby carrier styles. There was a small selection of breast pump supplies, a small selection of (extremely granola) baby soaps and lotions and such, a small section of baby clothes, etc. Notice the repeated word «small.» They had a selection of flannel receiving blankets and burp cloths and prefold diapers in various lively patterns, but those are nothing that a motivated person with basic sewing skills and a serger couldn’t churn out a stack at a time.
One other reviewer said «high-​end and eco-​licious.» Yes, exactly. But that’s not a reason for me to visit ever again.

The customer service at Birth and Beyond is amazing… I’m 4 months pregnant, and had been struggling to find a bra that fits (who knew they’d get so big so quickly?!). They had lots of different options for larger cup (E/​F+) sizes, and prices were reasonable. The sales lady (Katie) took the time to re-​size me, make sure everything fit, and offer advice as to what would still work 5 months from now. Best of all, they were no pressure AND have a 7 day return policy. Yahoo! I am definitely going back again for individual, customized service.

This is a store offering a very specific set of items for a very specific set of people: new parents. About to become a new parent, I was really looking forward to my first visit. I was under-​whelmed. The stuff they had, while high-​end and eco-​licious, was sorta strangely laid out. I specifically went to look at nursing bras and I found that you could only peruse and try them on by asking for help (they are behind the counter). And they are expensive! I spent $ 40 on one! The woman helping me was ok, but not as nice as you’d expect, and I felt a little pressured to buy. Also she measured me in front of everyone instead of in the fitting room. Pregnant mamas need their privacy too. I thought the other stuff in the store was over-​priced as well. I’ll stick with my consignment shops. If you think about it, that’s the most eco-​friendly option of all.

Birth & Beyond is staffed by people who really know what they’re doing. They know their products and how to help their customers – whether it’s a pregnant women looking for belly cream, a new mom looking for a bra, or a friend/​sister trying to find the perfect gift.
Lissa M. could *totally* say she uses disposable diapers and feeds formula out loud in Birth and Beyond. They offer crunchy hippie products and extensive knowledge about natural parenting *without* the attitude. Staff don’t judge, and will do their best to protect you from any other customers who might.
Price points vary from outrageous to very reasonable, depending on what you’re buying. Come here for quality and service.

My name is Lissa M, and I use disposable diapers sometimes.
My name is Lissa M, and I feed my babies formula.
I can say that here, but I’m not sure what would happen if I said it out loud at Birth and Beyond. The judgment, I might die from it.
This store has everything for an earth mommy in a crunchy eco-​family.
Being only somewhat hippie myself, I felt a little overwhelmed by all the breastfeeding paraphernalia, hand-​made diapers and organic everything. But they’re super-​helpful and super-​patient with ignorant new parents, and they have the best selection of wraps and slings in town.
Besides, it’s way better than Corporate BabyLand.

Thank You Birth & Beyond! I love shopping here versus the big box alternative for all my baby needs. This is a great little store off Madison stocked with all kinds of useful items from maternity gear, nursing tops, breastpumps and the accessories, babycarriers, bottles, swaddling blankets, burp cloths, cloth diapers, pacifiers and the list goes on and on.
It’s also so refreshing to be greeted by people who are genuinely happy to be working here. They are the type of people who will show you how to wear a moby wrap (because it is crazy confusing) and talk about the different babywearing options from a point of experience. This is so nice for a new mom like me who can be easily overwhelmed by all the choices. Leaving the house is a big production and my pleasant experience here made it all worth it.

Fellow Unilocaler, Lissa M is pregnant with identical twin boys so a trip to Birth and Beyond was necessary. As her official shopping-​buddy, I went along to give advice and council. Now, I’ve never had a baby and don’t really plan to — but I DO know about cute.
This place has it all. Hats, clothes, and every type of natural-​ish child care product on the market. Breast pumps, slings (in all sorts), cloth diapers, nipple creams (yep, I said it), bobbies, lending library, and the best blankets in town.
The parking can be a bit tricky because its on a fairly steep hill — but you can almost always find a place and just hope that your breaks hold out!
The staff here is the BEST. They stay out of your way if you are browsing — but ask a question and they will explain it in very simple terms that are understandable to the least baby knowledgeable person on the planet.
I totally recommend a visit to this Seattle-​baby-​institution.

NO, I’m not carrying anyone’s love child.
I bought a few things off my friend’s registry this last weekend (specifically ‘Baby Legs’- which are SOOO CUTE!
) and had them shipped to her. Instead of the items being listed as ‘out of stock’, I went ahead and purchased, only to be emailed the following day to be notified that they were out of stock in everything I had ordered.
HOWEVER, they were EXTREMELY pleasant to work with and we decided that a gift certificate would be a good work around.
This experience is strictly via the net, so I’m not sure about the actual store, but if the customer service is anything like I rec’d online: 5 STARS.

This store is fantastic and a must-​visit for expecting and new Moms. The staff is super nice and helpful. They don’t bother you if you are just wanting to browse, but if you have a question they are very knowledgeable.
Specific items I found here that were useful to me:
1) Burp cloths for $ 1.95 each. What a great deal! They are super soft, come in tons of patterns, hand made locally, and last and last.
2) Swaddling blankets for $ 9.95. Again, this is the best deal you will find anywhere. These are the «real» swaddling blanket size recommended by Dr. Harvey Karp (Happiest Baby on the Block), 42×42 inches. Like the burp cloths tons of patterns and hand made locally.
3) Moby wrap
4) Hooter Hider
5) Slim Lines breast milk freezer trays.
6) Miracle blanket
They also carry everything you need for cloth diapers although I didn’t go that route.

This store has so many great things about it. They have a leading library, people that understand how to help a mom to be, and parents of a new born. They helped me learn to use my carrier, a sling. They have cute diaper bags, and fun organic clothes. They even carry Japanese week-​end clothes for pregnant women. If you are having a baby this is the store to go to. They were the first store in Seattle to provide women with choices of nursing bras and knowledgeable staff.