New Family Tips

Day 4 with my newborn

Day 4 With My Newborn: Where Am I and What Is That Smell?

By Jodi Graves | July 9, 2025
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Day 4 With My Newborn and I have no idea what day of the week it is…

baby heat safety

Baby Heat Safety: MFD Breaks it Down

By Jodi Graves | July 1, 2025

Here are the top questions we get asked at Michigan Family Doulas about baby heat safety. Whether you are visiting the Ann Arbor Art Fair, heading up north to Traverse City for the Cherry Festival, or just relaxing in your backyard, we want you to feel confident your baby is comfortable and safe! We are…

infertility awareness

More Than a Month: Michigan Family Doulas’ Heart for Infertility Awareness

By Jodi Graves | June 17, 2025

June is Infertility Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on the struggles, triumphs, and complex emotions that can surround the journey to parenthood. Infertility is far more than a statistic or a medical diagnosis; it’s a deeply personal experience that touches every aspect of a person’s life. This month, we want to reaffirm…

Holistic & Nutritional Support for PMADs

Nurturing Your Well-being: Holistic & Nutritional Support for PMADs

By Jodi Graves | June 5, 2025
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We often hear about “postpartum depression,” but the truth is, a wide spectrum of experiences falls under the umbrella of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Holistic & nutritional support for PMADs comes in many forms just like PMADS comes in many forms. This includes not just depression, but also rage, OCD, mood disorder, and…

Newborn Poop and All: Day 2 With My Baby

Day 2 With My Baby: Newborn Poop and All

By Jodi Graves | May 6, 2025
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I thought our first night with our newborn would be a lot harder than it was

first month with a newborn

Day 1 With My Newborn Baby

By Jodi Graves | April 22, 2025
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Blog 1: A Day-by-Day Look at the First Month with Your Newborn We just pulled out of the parking lot with this tiny, perfect little angel. Is the car seat secured properly? I’m not really sure…thank goodness I decided to sit in the backseat next to her so I can watch her closely. She’s so…

Formulas

Nourishing Our Little Ones: A Gentle Reminder to Be Informed

By Jodi Graves | April 11, 2025

As doulas, we walk alongside you during some of the most tender and transformative times of your lives. We witness the incredible strength and love you pour into nurturing your little ones, and it’s with that same tenderness that I want to address a topic that might feel a little unsettling: baby formulas. Consumer Report…

When To Hire a Postpartum Doula

The Rise of Doula Care Reimbursement: A New Era for Employee Benefits

By Jodi Graves | March 18, 2025

In recent years, the importance of doula care has gained significant recognition. Consequently, there has been a rise in companies offering reimbursement for these essential services. At Michigan Family Doulas, we have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that doula care can have on families. Additionally, we are thrilled to see more employers acknowledging its value.…

Bradley Method

The Top 6 Reasons You and Your Partner Should Take Bradley Method Birth Classes

By Jodi Graves | March 11, 2025

Welcoming a new baby into your life is an exciting and transformative experience. One of the best ways to prepare for this journey is by taking Bradley Method birth classes. Offered by the highly experienced Jodi Graves of Michigan Family Doulas, these classes are available in both live virtual and self-taught, go-at-your-own-pace formats. Here are…

informed consent and refusal

Empowering Birth Choices: Informed Consent and Refusal

By Jodi Graves | February 27, 2025

At Michigan Family Doulas, one of our most important roles is ensuring that our clients feel empowered and informed throughout their pregnancy and birth experience. One key aspect of this is understanding your rights when it comes to informed consent and refusal during hospital births. Informed Consent: Knowledge is Power Informed consent is your right…