Community Well

Three cheers for Community Well! This review is specifically about the lactation clinic and new parent support group on Tuesday mornings…
When my son was born, I had a lot of issues with breastfeeding, including sore/​cracked nipples, low milk supply (such that we had to supplement with formula), etc etc. We didn’t find the nurses at Kaiser to be all that helpful and some of them even tried to tell us that «this is just how it is at the beginning.» So I really thought that I just needed to buck up and power through the pain or stop breastfeeding altogether.
I remember talking to my doula about this and on her recommendation, we decided to check out the group lactation clinic that Farrell Topham and Katie Howser offered at Community Well on Tuesday mornings before giving up on nursing.
These two ladies changed our lives! My son and I (and even my husband) literally became regulars at their clinic for our first few weeks postpartum. Farrell and Katie helped me troubleshoot every breastfeeding issue I had and they were able to solve every single one of them. They taught me alternate nursing positions for different situations, how to use a pump properly (that was apparently the cause of my bruised nipple and not my son!), etc etc. I’m SO proud to say that all thanks to them, my son and I are now a happy breastfeeding pair!
And even now, I still go back to the clinic every once in a while when I run into a question, such as when my son decided to stage a «bottle boycott» a few weeks ago and when I needed their advice on how to prepare for going back to work. Or when I just need a sanity check about how many ounces my son is actually drinking during a nursing session or whether he’s still gaining weight, because they always have their high-​resolution scale with them at the clinic.
In addition to breastfeeding help, Farrell and Katie also taught us a bunch more stuff about being new parents. Farrell showed us how to use a Moby, a ring sling, and an Ergo properly and now, we LOVE wearing our baby! They also gave us lots of advice about our upcoming international trip with our three-​month-​old (eeek!).
Thank you Farrell and Katie!!! And thank you Community Well for offering such great programs in the heart of Excelsior!

Community Well is a gorgeous and comforting space. I bring my infant son to infant massage and movement classes. He has previously become overwhelmed at other infant classes but at Community Well he is relaxed and social. The instructors are knowledgable and kind. They offer so much and at affordable costs which makes a difference with a newborn to care for. There is something for everyone and I am grateful they have opened in my neighborhood!

It’s hard to articulate how amazing Community Well is!
I’ve been attending the infant massage followed by a parents’ happy hour (Café con chocolate) on Mondays and infant movement on Fridays for a few months now. I have learned so much from the experienced and knowledgeable practitioners who welcomed us into a safe space. Parenting is not an easy task. It’s really comforting to have such a supportive place to be while figuring it out with an infant. The classes I have attended are either free or super affordable.
And I’m about to try out the baby/​mama yoga and a support group. There’s a gazillion other services and events at Community Well that are exactly what parents, families and people in this neighborhood NEED.
The spaces in Community Well are well designed. There’s plenty of places to change diapers and breastfeed privately or not-​so-​privately but comfortably. There are toys for different ages of children.
There are a lot more positive notes to be said about the organization… I’d highly recommend you and your family visits and joins the community :)

Community Well is such a wonderful addition to our neighborhood! The practitioners are fantastic and the space is welcoming and comfortable for the whole family. I had a fantastic prenatal massage with Jenn Moran which relaxed and readied me for my labor which started just a couple of days afterward. I look forward to trying out more classes and groups at the space!

Luis’s gentle yoga class on Saturdays is the best way to unwind at the beginning of the weekend. My partner started going to his stress reduction class on Tuesdays and he comes home excited to share new skills for de-​stressing at home and at work. Luis is really understated and humble but brings years and years of practice and wisdom.