Doula Musings

The Birth Boss Podcast

By Jodi Graves | March 17, 2023

In this episode I’m chatting with Jodi Graves, Owner of Michigan Family Doulas, Clinical Nutritionist, Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Newborn Care Specialist and Infant Feeding Specialist.  Jodi talks about her personal journey to becoming a doula and how her own births played a big part in it, how she started out and where she…

It’s International Women’s Day….and What Has Changed?

By Jodi Graves | March 8, 2023

I am having some intense feels today…it being International Women’s Day and all. Pontificating on the fact that we, as women being cared for in this country, are no further ahead than we were in 1960. And, in some areas of the US, we’re starting from scratch as far as women’s reproductive rights. Ugh! Here…

detroit birth doula services

Midwifery Care vs. OB/GYN Care

By Jodi Graves | February 10, 2023

Midwifery and obstetrical care are both essential components of the healthcare system, providing healthcare to mothers and infants before, during, and immediately after birth. Both midwifery and obstetrical care are rooted in the same principles of providing safe, respectful, and compassionate care to ensure the best outcomes for mothers and babies.  However, there are key…

Partners Bonding with Baby

By Jodi Graves | January 31, 2023

Partners bonding with their babies is one of the most beautiful moments in the life of a new family. This is an important time for both the parents and their newborn, as the relationship between the two will determine the child’s physical and emotional development for life. The best way to bond with your newborn…

Setting Boundaries After You Bring Baby Home

By Jodi Graves | January 25, 2023

Having a baby can be an exciting and overwhelming experience, and one of the challenges that comes with it is figuring out how to set boundaries and welcome visitors. Especially during the days of Covid19 and a virulent RSV illness season. Here are some tips to help you manage your new parenting life while still…

bottle feeding

Formula Feeding Your Infant

By Jodi Graves | January 19, 2023

Formula feeding is a great option for parents who are unable to breastfeed their infants. It allows for flexibility and ease of use, and can provide all the necessary nutrients for a baby to grow and develop. However, it’s important to follow some guidelines to ensure that your baby is getting the proper amount of…

Swaddling Your Baby

By Jodi Graves | January 18, 2023

Swaddling is a technique that involves wrapping a baby in a blanket or cloth to mimic the feeling of being in the womb. It can help to soothe a fussy baby and promote better sleep. However, it’s important to follow safe swaddling practices to ensure the baby is comfortable and not at risk of suffocation…

What Is A Doula?

By Jodi Graves | January 17, 2023

I thought maybe it was time to just tell those who don’t know much about what we do, what a doula ACUTALLY is. We told you the benefits, but what is a doula’s purpose? So here it goes…. A labor doula is a trained professional who provides emotional and physical support to a laboring person…

Baby laying on back with feet in focus

Benefits of Birth Doula Care

By Jodi Graves | December 27, 2022

Ya’ll are going to think this is redundant and you can find these statistics EVERYWHERE…however, I think it’s important that we talk about this now. It’s always important to talk about support during birth and early parenting!  According to a study by Bailey, et. al in ‘U.S. Fertility Rates in Response to the Pandemic’ There…

Tea with Jodi blog post

Tea with Jodi Episode S1 E4

By Jodi Graves | December 23, 2022

With guest Kelly Rutan https://michiganfamilydoulas.com Show notes: https://otter.ai/u/yTjQCnHVGzveo2fLgSeNBwX_KHU Postpartum Support International https://postpartum.net