Michigan Lactation Professionals Directory

If you or someone you know has a baby experiencing feeding struggles, please connect with a supportive lactation consultant who can help.

Just like all healthcare fields, not all lactation consultants are created equal! If you saw one who wasn’t helpful, please consider a second opinion.

Many parents don’t realize that professional lactation support is part of the ACA mandate and is therefore a covered service with an in-network provider for folks with commercial insurance. That means most families have access to care (often in the comfort of their own home!) with a professional who can help provide support for feeding challenges. Your local WIC office also offers lactation & feeding support.

This is a directory for informational purposes; inclusion in this list does not constitute a personal endorsement.

Feeding issues include (but are not limited to):

  • reflux
  • pain with latching
  • sore, cracked, or damaged nipples
  • recurrent clogs or mastitis
  • leaking milk while feeding at breast or bottle
  • weight gain concerns
  • low milk supply
  • colic, fussiness
  • diagnosis of tongue tie and/or lip tie (please see a provider with specialized training in oral function)
  • directed by a medical provider to supplement

Provider List:

Southeast Michigan:

Christie Donn (Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor area)

Erica McLeod (Ann Arbor/Ypsi in-home visits)

Huron River Lactation (Milford area in-home)

Honey for Moms (Ferndale area)

In-Home Lactation (Troy area in-home)

Integrative Lactation Care (Ann Arbor/Ypsi in-home visits, virtual)

Jalyn Spencer (Detroit area in-home)

Jennifer Day (Detroit area in-home)

Nature’s Playhouse (Ferndale area)

​Shonte’ Terhune-Smith, YOLO Breastfeeding (Flint area in-home)

Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor clinic)

West Michigan:

Anne Dalton (Holland, Lakeshore, & greater Grand Rapids)

Kristen Szersen (southern Michigan)

Lauryn Ulam (Southwest Michigan)

Rachel Campbell (southwest Michigan)

Shira Johnson (Grand Rapids, Lakeshore, West MI)

Northern Michigan:

Jennifer Safonovs, CLC

Panoramic Doula

Traverse City Lactation Company

Superior Lactation

Central Michigan:

Leah Segura (Midland area)

Are you a lactation professional who would like to be added to this list? Email info@supportedsleep.com.

Feeling overwhelmed and not sure what you need or where to start? Feel free to book a 30-minute clarity call to get help sorting out next steps.

Book a Clarity Chat

Metro Detroit Lactation Professionals Directory

If you or someone you know has a baby experiencing feeding struggles, please connect with a supportive lactation consultant who can help.

Just like all healthcare fields, not all lactation consultants are created equal! If you saw one who wasn’t helpful, please consider a second opinion.

Professional lactation support is part of the ACA mandate and private insurance companies are required to cover lactation care with an IBCLC. (In reality, some insurers uphold this duty better than others – but you are entitled to this care and can submit superbills for reimbursement. Some IBCLCs also bill insurance directly for you). Some IBCLCs also accept payment on a sliding scale.

This is a directory for informational purposes; inclusion in this list does not constitute a personal endorsement.

Feeding issues include (but are not limited to):

  • reflux
  • pain with latching
  • sore, cracked, or damaged nipples
  • recurrent clogs or mastitis
  • leaking milk while feeding at breast or bottle
  • weight gain concerns
  • low milk supply
  • colic, fussiness
  • diagnosis of tongue tie and/or lip tie (please see a provider trained in oral function)
  • directed by a medical provider to supplement

For a complete checklist of feeding/sleep issues, download this symptom checker here.

Lactation Professionals:

Erica McLeod (Ann Arbor/Ypsi in-home visits)

Integrative Lactation Care (that’s me! Ann Arbor/Ypsi in-home visits, virtual)

Jalyn Spencer (Detroit area in-home)

Jennifer Day (Detroit area in-home)

​Shonte’ Terhune-Smith (Flint area in-home)

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor clinic)

Feeling overwhelmed and not sure what you need or where to start? Feel free to book a 30-minute SOS chat to get help sorting out next steps.

Book a Clarity Call

Our Favorite Wintertime Bedtime Books

Most or all of these should be available at your local library! If you wish to purchase them, please support your local bookstore or purchase from Bookshop, BetterWorldBooks, or ThriftBooks.

The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren

Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant

Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle

The Dot in the Snow by Corrinne Averiss

All proceeds from affiliate links go towards my sliding scale services and donations to relevant causes. Thank you for supporting local businesses and the work that I do!

Cosleeping-Friendly Practitioners (SE MI) – Updated June 2024

I am frequently asked for names of practitioners who are supportive of safe cosleeping (either roomsharing or bedsharing), so I asked my network to help me compile a list!

Please note that inclusion in this list does NOT constitute an endorsement of a practitioner, nor guarantee that they are in fact cosleeping-friendly. This is a community-crowdsourced list so I have not personally vetted each practitioner nor have I verified their approach to cosleeping. It is merely a starting point for families and caregivers. Please take care to interview healthcare providers thoroughly for yourself!

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Childbirth Educators

Ariana Riegel & Katy Gladwin, Ypsi-Arbor CBE (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Katie Daibess, Birth & Becoming, Hypnobirthing Instructor (Metro Detroit/Virtual)

Mandy Spann, Blissful Births and Breastfeeding, Hypnobirthing Instructor (Walled Lake)

Bridgette Mietling, Bradley Method Instructor (Macomb)

Tree Town Doulas // Nest and Nurture (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Doulas

Ash Huntley, Moonstone Doula Care

Celeste Kraft, Gentle Spirit Doulas

Exie Buehler, Tranquil Touch Birth & Women’s Wellness (metro Detroit)

Grace Willis-Fritz, Grace and Compassion Doula Services

Heather Opasik, The Storks Doula

Ilaena Liang, Mitten Doula (Metro Detroit & Ann Arbor)

Juniper Wilson, Doula (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Katy Gladwin, Doula and Birth Educator (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Katy White, Katydid Doula

Kel Garland (Detroit)

Marta Dwaihy, Doula (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Rachel O’Donnell, Nurturing Spirit Doula and Massage (Metro Detroit)

Tree Town Doulas // Nest and Nurture (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Samantha Fletcher, Courageous Warrior: Herbal Doula & Support Professional

Stacy Oxley, Doula & NCS

Midwives

Gentle Mama Holistic Midwifery

Sarah Lyons, Michigan Midwifery Co.

OBGYNs

(need some suggestions here!)

Family Doctors/Pediatricians

Dr. David Thorrez, Dr. Debra Boyer, Mercy Christian Health

Dr. Lev Linkner

Dr. Frances Youssef, IHA

Green Tree Pediatrics (Ann Arbor)

Dr. Kelly Krueger (Novi)

Liberty Pediatrics (Ann Arbor)

Lactation Consultants

Erica McLeod, IBCLC (Ann Arbor/Ypsi)

Jill Mailing, IBCLC (Ann Arbor, Ypsi)

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor)

Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers

Beth Quintus, Uniquely Moved, LMT (Ypsi)

Dr. Andrea Hoglen, Chiropractor (Plymouth)

Dr. Kamaria Washington, Pelvic Noire Physical Therapy & Wellness (Huntington Woods)

Katie Kuhn, Huron Point Acupuncture (Port Huron)

Other

Wiser Dog Training, LLC (can help with dogs adjusting to new babies, including sleep environment!)

Are you a practitioner who belongs on this list, or do you work with one? Please let me know here!

Want in-depth education on safe cosleeping & normal newborn sleep?

Check out my Supported Newborn Sleep course.

Preparing to Adjust Your Family’s Sleep for Daylight Savings Time – Fall Back

Daylight Savings Time is almost here (Sunday, November 6th at 2am), and while the upcoming fall back is less unpleasant than spring forward, I think most of us are looking forward to the day when we finally do away with the stressful (and not at all helpful) abomination that is DST.

(Note as of October 29, 2022: You might have heard that Daylight Savings Time was finally being eliminated – and while a bill making DST permanent did pass the Senate, it has not yet passed the House or been signed into law. So we are still stuck with the existing practices until further notice!)

Since it’s hard enough to remember what the new timing translates to when you’re not a tired parent of one (or more) littles, here’s some helpful tips: 

  • Here in Michigan, sunrise is currently around 8am and sunset is around 6pm
  • After Daylight Savings Time ends (Sunday at 2am), sunrise will be around 7am and sunset around 5pm
  • Practically speaking, it will be light out earlier in the morning and get dark earlier. 

What does this mean for our kiddos?

  • If you plan to keep them on the same schedule (same naptime and bedtime), this means we will be stretching the time between sunrise and naptime, and shrinking the time between naptime and sunset.

Let’s talk about how to make the transition easier for little ones (and the whole family!).

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

Two Approaches

There are two approaches you can take – intentionally shifting bedtime/naptime graaadually throughout the week, or letting it ride. 

For families sticking to a consistent schedule around work, daycare, or other factors, the gradual approach can be helpful to try and mitigate stress and missed sleep. For families who have some flexibility around naptimes and bedtimes, letting it ride may be easier. 

Gradual Approach

The gradual approach involves shifting naptime and bedtime by 10-15 minutes each day for a few days ahead of Daylight Savings Time.

If possible, it is recommended to move your entire daytime routine (meals, etc) to match for consistency.

It’s important to note that while this works beautifully for some kiddos, others don’t accept it as easily. A week is a short amount of time to make such a significant change to daily rhythms, so it is totally okay if it doesn’t go according to plan. Give it a try, but don’t stress if your child needs longer than a week to adjust. 

Here’s a sample schedule for a child with a typical 12:00pm naptime and 7:30pm bedtime.

Sample toddler schedule:

  • Monday: 12:00pm naptime, 7:30pm bedtime (usual schedule)
  • Tuesday: 12:10pm naptime, 7:40pm bedtime 
  • Wednesday: 12:20pm naptime, 7:50pm bedtime
  • Thursday: 12:30pm naptime, 8:00pm bedtime
  • Friday: 12:40pm naptime, 8:10pm bedtime
  • Saturday: 12:50pm naptime, 8:20pm bedtime
  • Sunday (overnight time change): 12:00pm naptime (feels like 1:00), 7:30pm bedtime (feels like 8:30)

Babies under 12 months are likely to be even more sensitive to time changes and will benefit from a gradual, responsive approach. 

The nice thing about fall back DST is that shifting by 10-15 minutes each day usually should not lead to significant crankiness/overtiredness. However, if you notice tired cues in your child and feel they are really ready to sleep, it’s okay to follow their lead even if it doesn’t match the plan!

If your kiddo is still waking up at their usual wakeup time despite going to bed a bit later, that’s okay. It may take several days (or more) for them to start waking up later.

Let it Ride/Cold Turkey/Do Nothing Approach

The “let it ride” approach (also known as going cold turkey) involves no advanced preparation, and assumes that the child’s body will catch up in due time after the DST transition. 

It looks like this: 

  • Saturday: 12:00pm naptime, 7:30pm bedtime (usual schedule)
  • Sunday (overnight time change): 12:00pm naptime (feels like 1:00), 7:30pm bedtime (feels like 8:30)

For the fall DST shift, this approach works just fine for most toddlers and older children. They may show signs of tiredness in the first few days following, but should adjust their schedule within a week or two. However, if your kiddo is having a hard time or crashing into naps or bedtime, you can always revert to a gradual approach after-the-fact and push them past their usual sleep time, but not all the way to a full hour beyond.


For babies younger than 12 months, pay attention to their tired cues and don’t hesitate to offer a nap or sleep if they show signs of needing rest. 

Supporting the Transition

Whether you try to preempt the transition with a gradual shift or just let it ride, there are a number of ways you can work with your child’s biological rhythms to help things go more smoothly:

  • Use light to shape their schedule: 
    • If your child is waking earlier in the morning than is ideal, keep the lights dim and the environment quiet. You can offer toys for independent play, read books, or do other low-key activities until “awake time” for the day. 
    • When you’re ready to encourage your child to be awake, use lots of bright light to signal to their body that it’s daytime! 
    • If you can, prioritize outside time in the morning and early afternoon – sunlight helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm
    • Using red light in the evening can help signal to the body that it’s time to wind down (white/blue light inhibits melatonin production, making it harder to fall or stay asleep)
    • If you’re not already using blackout blinds at night, ensuring a pitch-dark space at night is critical for facilitating optimal sleep.
  • Minimize evening screen time
    • To help a child be in tune with their circadian rhythm and be ready to wind down for sleep whenever you start bedtime, make sure to limit any screen time at least 2 hours before bed and 1 hour before a nap. 
  • Maximize daytime activity
    • LOTS of activity and outside time, especially early in the day. Are there things you know help your child expel lots of energy and help them sleep extra well? A visit to the playground? Rough and tumble play? A visit with a friend? If you can try to prioritize one or more of these, it may help with the transition as well. 

Be Gentle With Yourself

Remember that this is a big shift happening suddenly, and it can be hard on kids and adults alike. Be gentle with yourself, and with little ones who may have a hard time adjusting to the new timing. 

  • If you’re trying the gradual shift plan and it’s just not working, it’s okay to abandon ship. They WILL adjust eventually – it may just take some more time! 
  • Be prepared for big feelings. Kiddos who are really in tune to timing and rhythm may pick up on the changes and have a hard time at first. Watch out for overtiredness, 
  • If your kiddo is in daycare, send extra love and good vibes to their care providers. As a former early childhood educator, the days after DST are especially challenging with a whole room full of kiddos struggling to adapt to the new schedule!
  • Prioritize your own rest and well-being – studies show that DST causes an increase in adult sleep disturbances, physical and mental health challenges, workplace injuries, and car accidents. Don’t hesitate to order carry-out, cancel plans to take a nap, or ask for help. 

What other strategies have worked for you in adapting to DST? 

Infant Sleep 101 (VIRTUAL): September 7th

I’m hosting the next session of my Infant Sleep 101 on September 7th at 8:00pm on Zoom. This class is tailored towards expecting parents and families with brand new babies, and covers the basics of infant sleep.

Photo by John Finkelstein on Pexels.com

If you’re expecting a little one, you’ve likely heard to expect some sleepless nights, but you may have a lot of unanswered questions about infant sleep that go beyond coping with sleep deprivation. How long does it take for a child to sleep through the night? What should I do if they’re still waking up frequently? Is cosleeping safe or dangerous? How can I cope with the sleep deprivation, and prioritize my own rest and well-being? 

This class will cover all that, and more:

  • what to expect with your baby’s sleep
  • how infant sleep changes over the first year (hint: a lot!)
  • guidelines for safe sleep
  • definitions of cosleeping, and when/how to do it safely
  • common myths around infant sleep
  • strategies for getting enough rest as a caregiver to a brand new baby

This class will address these topics and many others that you may have about infant sleep! You will also have the opportunity to meet and connect with other families in the same stage of parenting.

Pre-registration is required, and class cost is $30 (sliding scale available). By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Supported Sleep.

Register

Hope to see you there!

Infant Sleep 101: August 24th 6-7:30pm at Nest & Nurture Ann Arbor

I’m hosting the next session of my Infant Sleep 101 on August 24th at Nest and Nurture (722 Brooks Street, Ann Arbor). This class is tailored towards expecting parents and families with brand new babies, and covers the basics of infant sleep.

Photo by John Finkelstein on Pexels.com

If you’re expecting a little one, you’ve likely heard to expect some sleepless nights, but you may have a lot of unanswered questions about infant sleep that go beyond coping with sleep deprivation. How long does it take for a child to sleep through the night? What should I do if they’re still waking up frequently? Is cosleeping safe or dangerous? How can I cope with the sleep deprivation, and prioritize my own rest and well-being? 

This class will cover all that, and more:

  • what to expect with your baby’s sleep
  • how infant sleep changes over the first year (hint: a lot!)
  • guidelines for safe sleep
  • definitions of cosleeping, and when/how to do it safely
  • common myths around infant sleep
  • strategies for getting enough rest as a caregiver to a brand new baby

This class will address these topics and many others that you may have about infant sleep! You will also have the opportunity to meet and connect with other families in the same stage of parenting.

Pre-registration is required, and class cost is $40 (sliding scale available). By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Supported Sleep.

Register

Hope to see you there!

Infant Sleep 101: June 28th 6-7:30pm at Nest & Nurture Ann Arbor

I’m hosting the next session of my Infant Sleep 101 on June 28th at Nest and Nurture (711 Brooks Street, Ann Arbor). This class is tailored towards expecting parents and families with brand new babies, and covers the basics of infant sleep.

Photo by John Finkelstein on Pexels.com

Sign up to attend here!

If you’re expecting a little one, you’ve likely heard to expect some sleepless nights, but you may have a lot of unanswered questions about infant sleep that go beyond coping with sleep deprivation. How long does it take for a child to sleep through the night? What should I do if they’re still waking up frequently? Is cosleeping safe or dangerous? How can I cope with the sleep deprivation, and prioritize my own rest and well-being? 

This class will cover all that, and more:

  • what to expect with your baby’s sleep
  • how infant sleep changes over the first year (hint: a lot!)
  • guidelines for safe sleep
  • definitions of cosleeping, and when/how to do it safely
  • common myths around infant sleep
  • strategies for getting enough rest as a caregiver to a brand new baby

This class will address these topics and many others that you may have about infant sleep! You will also have the opportunity to meet and connect with other families in the same stage of parenting.

Pre-registration is required, and class cost is $40 (sliding scale available). By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Supported Sleep.

Register

Hope to see you there!

I’m Not Your Average Sleep Consultant (or, why I became an Infant/Family Sleep Specialist)

When I tell people that I’m a sleep specialist/sleep consultant, I often feel the need to follow it with a caveat about how my approach is different than most. The term “sleep consultant” usually calls to mind an individual who prescribes a particular protocol (usually some form of behaviorism-based sleep training) with the goal of getting the child to sleep through the night.

This is radically different from my approach as an Infant & Family Sleep Specialist (IFSS).

I became an IFSS for several reasons:

  1. I believe biological infant sleep is a fundamental human right.
  2. I believe parents are the experts on their babies, and deserve to be empowered to follow their intuition and instincts when it comes to parenting.
  3. I believe non-judgmental, evidence-based information around child development (especially around infant sleep) can improve the well-being of the entire family.

What Does an Infant & Family Sleep Specialist Do?

As an Infant & Family Sleep Specialist, my goals when working with a family are:

  1. To clarify what is developmentally normal behavior related to sleep – including (but not limited to) the number of night wakings, total sleep duration, nap lengths and frequency, and more.
  2. To identify any elements of a child’s sleep that could be better supported with developmentally appropriate changes to sleep hygiene, sleep environment, sleep location, daytime habits or activities, and daily rhythm/schedule.
  3. To identify any elements of a child’s sleep behavior that are not normal – including abnormally frequent wakings, restlessness, pain, colic, or discomfort – and connect the caregiver to appropriate resources or treatment.
  4. To maximize the rest and well-being of the child’s caregiver(s) through a comprehensive and holistic lens. This takes into account the parent/caregiver’s sleep needs, but also their emotional well-being, support network, and overall health history.

You’ll notice that I mention nothing about a guarantee of a child sleeping through the night. That’s because we have ample research demonstrating that children are meant to wake at night throughout and beyond the first year of life – and responding to our children at night is just as important as responding during the day.

However, that doesn’t mean that as parents or caregivers that we are doomed to exhaustion for the early months and years of our child’s life – we just have to toss out the old playbook and reframe our thinking about sleep. And as an Infant & Family Sleep Specialist, that’s what I’m here to do!

So – if your goal is to get your child sleeping through the night through whatever means are necessary – I’m afraid that my services may not be the right fit for you.

However, if your goal is to improve your own rest and well-being as a caregiver while respecting your child’s unique developmental needs – I am here to help.

If you think you might benefit from support, or want to ask further questions about my approach, you can book a free 15-minute discovery call with me anytime.

Connect with Supported Sleep:

How to Support Parents During the Formula Shortage

The formula shortage happening in the United States right now is a colossal failure of elected and corporate leadership to take care of its parents and children. No parent should have to worry about how they will feed their child.

The fact that three companies produce the majority of infant formula in the US and that we make it very difficult for suppliers and families to import formula from outside the country makes our supply chain extremely vulnerable to issues like the major recall that affected Abbott Labs earlier this year.

I’ve seen and heard plenty of comments already – and surely you have, too – along the lines of “Breastfeeding is free”, and “Formula is a choice”, and I want to take this opportunity to educate folks a bit on why these kinds of comments are harmful and truly misinformed.

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

A lack of any form of paid parental leave, paid childcare, or any other child-centered policies in the United States makes breastfeeding extremely challenging for the majority of families. It is a major time investment, and it does not come easily to every parent who wishes to breastfeed. On top of this, formula companies employ predatory marketing techniques to discourage breastfeeding and limit families’ choices. Families often receive formula samples in the mail, at the hospital, and at the pediatrician’s office – often making formula far more accessible than qualified lactation support, which is sometimes free for families with health insurance, but out-of-reach for many families without.

Every family who needs or chooses to feed formula should have access to it, period – but many families who would otherwise choose to breastfeed switch to formula or combo-feeding given a plethora of financial, social, medical, and/or political barriers.

This shortage should never have been allowed to happen, and families are NOT to blame for their feeding choices.

How Can I Help?

Now that we’re here, though, how can you help families struggling to find formula?

  • Reach out to ask formula-feeding parents you know if they need any assistance tracking down formula; if they do, find out what brand(s) they are looking for or open to, and where they typically purchase, and offer to shop around to find a match.*
  • Share nationwide sharing sites such as Free Formula Exchange or Free to Feed’s Formula + Milk Exchange on social media
  • Find out if there is a local mutual aid organization near you coordinating a formula drive or crowdsourcing photos of available stock on local store shelves (if you’re here in A2/Ypsi, the Ann Arbor Mamas Network has a sticky thread)
  • CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TELL THEM TO TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY.
  • Share this NYT article on the shortage with detailed info/Q+A for parents on how to navigate
  • Offer general support to parents in your life in other ways: parents of little ones always welcome a dropoff of food or the offer of an extra set of hands with housework, yardwork, childcare, etc. A small gesture in a stressful time can go a long way.
  • Unless a parent has expressed interest or openness to donor breastmilk or breastfeeding, avoid offering this as a solution.

*Note that many babies have sensitivities to particular ingredients/formulas and may not be able to tolerate just any brand.

Donor Milk + Relactation

IF a parent has expressed openness to donor milk and/or breastfeeding support, and only if, it may be appropriate to consider:

  • sharing information on donor milk banks and/or informal milksharing organizations like Human Milk 4 Human Babies or Eats on Feets
  • helping them find or identify a personal contact they know and trust for informal milksharing
  • if you are a lactating parent yourself, you can pump or hand express additional milk to donate through a milk bank or informal milksharing organization
  • letting them know that lactation/relactation* support is available should they wish to explore it, and helping them connect to a lactation consultant.

*Relactation is not possible in all cases, but may be possible especially if a baby is under 6 months of age or if weaning occurred within the last 6 months.

Final Thoughts

Above all, if a family you know is struggling to feed their baby, hold them with love, kindness, and compassion. As a parent, nothing is more terrifying, and the last thing anyone needs is to feel judged or shamed for their choices.

If you or a family you know is struggling with feeding right now – to keep up milk supply, to find a formula your baby can tolerate, to transition from one formula to another – PLEASE reach out. Supported Sleep has a wide referral network of local and virtual providers who are happy to be a resource in your feeding journey, whatever it looks like.

Connect with Supported Sleep: