Natural Resources

As a first time parent, the support groups offered were so helpful. From moms post-​partam and preparing for back to work to dads getting family counseling, these groups have been genuine and an asset for forming community amongst other new families in the San Francisco area. A membership comes with benefits like checking out books and DVDs on loan and discounted classes. I look forward to taking full advantage of my membership this year with the hope that a Cuban dance party manifests itself in this beautiful space for babies and parents alike on a weekend afternoon!

I was just in the store buying a gift for my one-​year old nephew and really love the new look of the store and the bigger variety of merchandise. I’ve been coming to the store since my son was born 3 years ago (and I still come often with my one-​year old in tow). I’ve purchased everything from nipple cream and breastfeeding supplies to baby books and sippy cups. Whenever I’ve rented anything (including 2 birth tubs, a baby carrier, and a breast pump), the staff was incredibly helpful and never flinched when I had a crying baby with me. It was really helpful to drop-​in to the breastfeeding support classes when I was feeling overwhelmed, sleep deprived and at my wit’s end. Sometimes I’ve just stopped in to feed or change a baby and have always felt welcome to stay as long as I like. Natural Resources has really been my go to place for everything parenting.

Natural Resources has been a welcoming, supportive space in the community for so many years. The recent sprucing up of the store has made it an even more inviting atmosphere for me to go with my family. I did my baby registry here, and it felt so good to give my family and friends an introduction to Natural Resources through the items I’d chosen for my child. The folks who work there are trained educators, childbirth specialists, and experts in their field, but they have always given me the sense that they support the parent’s intuition first. I’ve recently had the pleasure of running a group in their space, and I always leave feeling so inspired by the parents who make up the community of Natural Resources.

This store was recommended to us for Madella supplies. This place was really dirty. Not a place I would ever take my newborn again. The play area had stains, hair and crumbs. Not sanitary for any child to roam. The shelves had dust. The floors were really dirty and crusted dust. You would think they could afford a cleaning service for what they charge on most items. I noticed a sales person being really rude to a customer and her crying child. A business geared to moms and babies should have the basics mastered like customer service and cleanliness. MOMS AND EXPECTING MOMS PLEASE DO NOT SHOP HERE. Take your business elsewhere.

I still love the classes I took for the breast feeding support group. That is the best part of this store. I wish I could give the classes a 4 star and the actual shop a 1 star. I really strongly recommend the breast feeding support group for any new mom that is struggling.
Except for that class and the class prepping for childbirth, the actual store part is not worth it.
They special ordered me a bra and said they would call when it came in– that person was great. But they never called and when I called to ask if it came in the woman was rude and said that they don’t do that and if I wanted to come in she could look. I was so confused. What don’t they do? Order bras or call when they come in? Or
So I went in the next Saturday and asked about the bra and the woman was so rude! She said they had lots of bras and that she didn’t «have time to walk me through each one,» I just wanted a nursing bra.
There was no one else in the store!
It is such a bummer that the new owner allows such rude people to run her store.

I have been going there for about a year and a half.
I have heard all about how rude the employees are, but until about 3 months ago most of the nice employees have off set the rude ones.
About 6 months ago, I went it to nurse and was having a hard time. An employee was rude; I cried. She saw what she had done and totally helped me out and made it right. I chalked it up to me being a hormonal new mom.
Then three months ago I went in and a different employee was so rude to me it was crazy. Even the other new mom in the room left the store.
Then I went back a different time on a different day hoping to get a better employee and I got the same one. She walked around the room loudly talking on the phone as I nursed and put my baby to sleep. She was oblivious to the fact that I was trying to calm down a sad baby.
Then I tried to buy something and asked for help and she said, «what you need help now?» I said yes, she sighed and tossed the stuff she was working on on the ground. She wouldn’t help me with the carrier and got annoyed at me for asking questions.
I went in one more time to buy a carrier and she was there again! I got a different person to help me but she kept butting in with rude comments. It was so annoying. I almost walked out. I have not been there since.
I took 4 classes there and wanted to support the small business even though things are much cheaper online. But that woman was so rude and she seems to always be there.

I have given this place three tries; three chances to get it right and treat me like not only a paying customer, but like a human being. All three times were so unpleasant. I was ignored, made to feel like an idiot by my first-​time mom questions, and overall seemed to be bothering the sales woman when I would have hunt them down to simply ask a question.
And oh, that young brunette, what is her deal? Such a charmer. How on earth does she still have a job??? Someone needs to clue her in that customer service is not her forte.
It’s 3 strikes and they’re out for me. I will happily spend my money elsewhere (and pay much less while I’m at it)!

Just walked out of this store and most likely never coming back. I’m pregnant with my first baby and I’ve visited tons of baby stores that have been nothing but super nice and helpful. The two ladies inside were just too busy to crack a smile or greet me. I was in there for about 30 mins, and mind you, it’s not a big store and not once was I asked if I needed help. What horrible customer service!

Bless these wonderful people. I was in a pinch and they let me buy some breast pump equipment over the phone by credit card, which they then took outside and put in an UberPool I sent over (both driver and other passenger totally confused), and in 12 minutes it will be in my hands. thank you!

I like the big selection of books and wooden toys that can’t be found anywhere else. I came in here twice and both times the employees weren’t very inviting. When I walk into a baby boutique, I’d like to have a nice greeting or maybe a smile or two from the employees. If you’re in a bad mood, at least shoot me back a fake smile or say Hi to my cute toddler.

What a great place! I went to the lactation class and was initially not thrilled about paying $ 30. But after attending the class, I found that the information I received was priceless and changed everything. It was worth every penny. I also found their store to be on point with everything I needed as I coped with my newborn and post partum needs. Such a gem!

For anyone who is expecting or just had a baby, this place is a great resource. There are a few things that make this place great:
1) Non-​judgmental breastfeeding space. Let’s face it. Even though SF is probably one of the least judgmental places to be when it comes to breastfeeding, you still get looks sometimes. It’s maddening but it happens. Not here. There are gliders for you to sit in, Brest Friend’s and changing tables with wipes and bins for you to use as well. There is even water for you to drink. And if your baby starts crying, it’s ok. My little one lost his sh*t and I started to get a bit worked up. The other customers gave me sympathetic smiles and suddenly it was all ok.
2) Good classes. I took the breastfeeding class and the infant CPR class, both of which I highly recommend.
Other than that, the store itself has a good range of items. But I have to say I’m a bit annoyed that they offer a homeopathy class. And a few people I’ve talked to have stupid thoughts about vaccines.

My wife and I attended the Birthing classes with Chris Pritchard and she was freaking awesome! Not only was she informative, but her sense of wit and humor also kept us throughly engaged through six 3 hour sessions. Natural resources offers several different classes on different topics and Chris stood out amongst the other teachers. We highly recommend this business for their books, curated products for babies, and classes for budding parents to be.
We also rented a birthing tub here, and found 99% of all our baby supplies. If you are an expectant couple or just had your baby recently, I highly recommend giving this place a try.

I just happened to walk by and am so glad that I did. It was destiny! I’m 6 months along and this is a perfect store/​company to be acquainted with.

The store carries an okay variety of stuff for babies/​parents. I wish they weren’t so heavy on just Moby and Ergo baby carriers.
Now…customer service wise– wtf? Who is that sarcastic brunette who sits there on Saturday mornings? She must be related to the owner in order to keep the job. What’s up with the attitude? As if she’s doing me a favor of letting me purchase at the store. I went in to exchange/​return an item and the whole time I felt I was asking for the biggest favor on earth.

Natural Resources is exactly the kind of store you want in your neighborhood whether you are expecting children of just buying gifts for your family & friends!
Wow, where to begin!
This place has super cute baby clothes, the right BPA free, chemical free products that are truly the best for not only our children but for us all! Lots of baby products 7 some toys.
They have maternity clothes & bras.
Natural Resources also offers a ton of classes for both during your pregnancy & after.
I have not had a child yet but when I do I will certainly be here a llll the time!
Keep up the great work guys! In the meantime, I’ll keep buying gifts for my friends & their kids here! :)

I really would love to give Natural Resources a great review. I think the concept is great! The shop is very sweet and they have introduced me to several new brands. It is however extremely overpriced though and they charge a small fortune if you have an overdue book or DVD. I checked out some books but I just forgot to return them and they charged me $ 30! This is for a used book printed 10 years ago and a birth video produced eons ago. I could have bought them myself. Unreal! The public library charges less for fines! However– during my maternity leave I will say that this was a godsend for breastfeeding breaks while walking around my neighborhood. They have a nice setup for nursing and changing tables etc.
However, I totally agree with several other posters here on the rudeness of whoever this woman is that is there all the time. Medium height, mousey brown hair. She often works on the weekends and she just always has a scowl and a snotty attitude and I am SO Sooooooo over it… She really really brings the place down. I have had several unpleasant interactions with her as have my friends which makes me not want to recommend it to others nor renew my membership. I wonder why she works in customer service. She seems to be frustrated, angry and is very snooty and passive aggressive. I would go in and use my membership mor but I dread going in there and having to deal with her!
One day I was walking by and The shop was open a little early (10 minutes) because of a class. I really needed diapers so I went in early and was looking around. She blows in and starts bitching about how they aren’t really open and that is going to take her 15 – 20 minutes before she can check me out. This is ridiculous!!! I am not a high maintenance person but boy did she make me feel that way. Finally she did check me out early but boy did she make a big stink about it
Another time I was trying to ask about a class and this woman just turned her back to me and started talking to another employee about her pregnant friend and going on and on and ON about HER life when I was just trying to get information and PAY for a class! Every interaction with her is just really kind of painful. She is a truly a detriment to your company and for building a community Natural Resources!!!
During one of the classes we did attend — my husband left his favorite sweatshirt in there. We called to see if she could just look and see if it was there. She was short and snippy to him and had obviously not bothered to look for the sweatshirt that had been left behind just a few hours ago. Honestly– its such a bummer that this woman works there otherwise I would use Natural Resources so much more and would renew my membership and reccommend it to friends but I will not until thing improve. Hope they do!

This place was really a lifesaver when I had my first child. They helped me find a Moby wrap, and they helped me with the breastfeeding support classes. They didn’t solve all of my breastfeeding issues (with the 2^nd child, I was able to hire a doula who was also a lactation consultant), but they were very sweet and helpful. It’s a great neighborhood resource.
They also have a nice store selection of things like glass bottles, pump parts, and assorted baby gear.

I love this place.
If you are pregnant, wanting to be pregnant, have adopted a child, are postnatal — this is your place to be. It has everything you need, might need, and didn’t know you needed.
The mom’s support group was integral in my finally getting out and feeling better (in control!) of being a new mom. I met wonderful ladies there.
It’s a great place to just come with your baby and hang out; they have gliders to sit and feed your baby, a changing table, a scale. You can test out baby carriers and breastfeeding bras. They offer free pregnancy or lactation tea. There is a library of books you can refer to and check out — I have one on baby sleep right now…
They also have classes to help with all sorts of challenges: sleep, eating, baby carriers, baby sign language, lactation, infant care, etc, etc.
And BONUS: it’s a block away from Jane Austin’s prenatal/​postnatal yoga classes at YogaTree and Stephanie Forster’s Preggo Pilates classes.
This place is fab for momma and baby.

Their childbirth prep class was very long and very pointless. They don’t spend a lot of time going over breathing techniques, which is the main thing I needed to know when I went into labor. They present a lot of other useless crap and it takes them at least 12 hours to do it. The newborn care class is better, however I am now upset with that one as well, because the teacher said «and maybe you will want to give your kids the vaccines, or maybe you’ll decide not to vaccinate them and that’s ok too.» What BS. The breast feeding class was all right, although I learned a lot of the same information just by reading the «nursing mothers companion.» Take the hospital’s childbirth prep class instead.