Life With My Newborn

Day 6: Life With My Newborn (and My Sanity… Sort Of)

By Jodi Graves | September 9, 2025
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Sleep Update It’s day six of my life with a newborn and I’m 93% sure I’m now part raccoon. Not because of my appetite for trash (although last night’s dinner of cold mac & cheese eaten over the sink might qualify), but because of the dark circles under my eyes and my tendency to hiss…

Zucchini recipe

Our Favorite One-Pan Zucchini Recipe to Use Up Your Michigan Harvest

By Jodi Graves | September 4, 2025

If you live in Michigan, garden, or know anyone else who gardens, you have some zucchini sitting on your counter right now that needs to be eaten. It is that time of year, when the zucchini harvest is always plentiful in Michigan! Let’s get your question answered though – how do I use this up…

breastfeeding

Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month: 10 Tips for a Strong Start

By Jodi Graves | August 16, 2025

In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, one of our amazing Michigan Family Doulas, Nyasia, is taking over the blog today to share with you her top 10 tips for Breastfeeding! She isn’t just a doula though, she is a IBCLC and Certified Lactation Counselor Specialist. So sit back and soak up all the tips MFD’s…

enough milk

Is My Breastfed Baby Getting Enough Milk? How to Tell for Sure…

By Jodi Graves | August 13, 2025
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It’s one of the most common and persistent questions we hear from new parents in Metro Detroit: “Is my baby getting enough milk?” When you’re breastfeeding, you can’t see the ounces your baby is drinking, and this can lead to a lot of worry. Rest assured, this is a completely normal concern, and you’re not…

ROTA

Why Our ROTA Placements Are Uniquely Qualified for Your Family

By Jodi Graves | August 10, 2025
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Hello, Michigan families! Jodi Graves here from the Michigan Family Doulas and Michigan Family Nannies team. As a part of this organization, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing our growth firsthand, and I’m incredibly proud of the comprehensive support we offer to families across our state (and across the Midwest)! Our mission has always been…

Eating for Two

Beyond “Eating for Two”: Understanding Breastfeeding Nutrition

By Jodi Graves | August 4, 2025
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Welcome to August, which marks National Breastfeeding Awareness Month! Here at Michigan Family Doulas, we’re passionate about supporting families through every stage of their feeding journey. We understand that nourishing yourself while breastfeeding is so important – not only for your baby’s growth and development but also for your own energy, recovery, and overall well-being.…

Day 5 with our newborn

Day 5 With My Newborn: The Newborn Has Taken Over—Send Help (and Snacks)

By Jodi Graves | July 30, 2025
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It’s Day 5 with our newborn. Or as I now refer to it: Day 5 of the Siege. I remember a time, long ago (last week) when I thought I was a functioning adult, had a schedule, wore real pants. I made tea and drank it hot. Now? I’m unsure if it’s morning, evening, or…

asking for help

The Unseen Burden: Why We Resist Asking for Help

By Jodi Graves | July 27, 2025

Happy National Parent’s Day, Michigan families! Today, July 27th, is a day dedicated to celebrating the incredible, often tireless, work that parents do every single day. At Michigan Family Doulas, we see your dedication, your resilience, and your unwavering love for your children. But we also see something else that’s equally powerful, and sometimes, incredibly…

Self-Care

The Postpartum Reality: Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, It’s Essential

By Jodi Graves | July 24, 2025

We aren’t talking “spa day” this International Self-Care Day. Prioritizing our well-being isn’t a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for a healthy, balanced life as we reflect on this internationally recognized day. That is why self-care is important for everyone; it holds an exceptionally profound and often overlooked significance for birthing people in the postpartum…

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