Baby Registry Examples: What a Certified Gift Registry Expert Actually Recommends
Building a baby registry is fun—well, it is at first. But then there comes a point where you see 27 different types of bottles, three versions of the same stroller, and a “must-have” gadget you’ve never heard of. Suddenly, the fun fades away, and the overwhelm takes over. Here’s something you need to know: you […]
Free Tot Squad Baby Registry Consults at Target – 28th Street, Grand Rapids
Expecting a baby? Navigating baby gear, strollers, car seats, and all the essentials can feel overwhelming. Tot Squad is offering Free Baby Registry Consults at Target 28th Street in Grand Rapids, MI. Why Book a Tot Squad Baby Registry Consultation in Grand Rapids? A Tot Squad consultation provides: Personalized guidance from certified baby and parenting […]
What to Expect at Newborn Classes (And Why First-Time Parents Swear By Them)
Signing up for a newborn class is a big step. And honestly, it does come with a lot of second-guessing: Is this actually going to teach me anything I couldn’t just look up? Will I sit through hours of stuff I already know? From our experience, most first-time parents who take a newborn parenting class […]
Why Babies Love Faces, Patterns, and Movement
Understanding the natural instincts behind newborn attention If you’ve ever held a newborn and noticed them staring intensely at your face—or at a bold pattern on a blanket—you’ve witnessed something remarkable. Even in the earliest weeks of life, babies are wired to notice specific things in their environment. Faces Movement High-contrast shapes These early visual […]
The Surprising Science of Newborn Vision
What Babies Actually See in Their First Months (and How Parents Can Support It) When a baby is born, we often assume they see the world the same way we do—just a smaller version of adult vision. But the truth is much more fascinating. Newborns enter the world with vision that is still rapidly developing, […]
Gold Coast Doulas CEO Kristin Revere Named to the 2025 Entreprenista 100 List
Gold Coast Doulas is proud to announce that our Founder and CEO, Kristin Revere, has been named a 2025 Entreprenista 100 Award winner by Entreprenista. This national recognition honors 100 trailblazing women entrepreneurs who are leading innovative, high-growth businesses and making a measurable impact across industries. As a leading Michigan doula agency, Gold Coast Doulas […]
Breastfeeding Pain in the First Week: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How to Find Relief
Nobody really prepares you for the fact that breastfeeding can hurt. You’ve got this brand-new baby in your arms, and everyone around you is saying how beautiful and natural it all is—and meanwhile, you’re wincing every time your little one latches. If that’s where you’re at right now, first things first: you’re not alone. Breastfeeding […]
The 4-Month Regression: What’s Happening & How to Survive It
Your baby was sleeping beautifully—maybe even giving you those glorious 4- to 5-hour stretches. You finally felt human again. And then, out of nowhere, everything falls apart. Suddenly, your once-great sleeper is waking every hour, fighting naps like it’s their job, and you’re wondering what on earth happened. This is the 4-month regression. Honestly, this […]
A Decade of Doula Care, Education, and Advocacy: 2025 in Review
In 2025, Gold Coast Doulas continued to grow as a purpose-driven organization, balancing business sustainability with a deep commitment to people, community, and impact. As a values-led company and Certified B Corporation, our work extended beyond client support to include education, environmental responsibility, advocacy, and strengthening the care economy. This year reaffirmed our belief that […]
6 Ways To Prepare for Labor Induction, According to a Birth Doula
Finding out you need an induction can feel like someone just tossed your birth plan out the window. Whether it’s recommended for medical reasons or you’re scheduling an elective induction, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions: relief that there’s an end date in sight, anxiety about the unknown, maybe even a little […]
The Real VBAC Success Rate [+5 Ways to Improve Your Chances]
Having a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a big deal. And you might be getting some conflicting advice about it. One source says your chances are great. Another makes it sound impossible. And somewhere between the success stories and the scary warnings, you’re left wondering: Okay, what are MY actual odds here? When it’s […]
The Power Pumping Schedule to Increase Supply
Your milk supply feels like it’s not keeping up. But statistically, you’re not alone. Studies show that nearly 60% of new parents stop breastfeeding earlier than planned, with lactation and supply concerns being one of the main reasons. And you’re determined to boost your supply before making any big changes—we get it! The problem is, […]
Gold Coast Doulas 10 year Anniversary Celebration
A Pajama Party of Pampering and Gratitude This month, we marked a major milestone—10 years of Gold Coast Doulas! Some of our amazing team of 25 subcontracted birth and postpartum doulas and educators came together for a cozy Pajama Party designed to celebrate their dedication and the impact they’ve made supporting families across West Michigan for the last ten years. […]
Sleep Training Courses vs. Custom Sleep Consulting: Which Do You Need?
It’s late, you’re googling “how to get baby to sleep”, and you’re drowning in options. “This is the real haze of motherhood,” says Kristin Revere, newborn care specialist, certified doula, and founder of Gold Coast Doulas. “The truth is, sleep deprivation is a major driver of mental illness.” There are $300 courses promising miracle […]
10th Annual Gold Coast Doulas Diaper Drive Results
We are so grateful to everyone who supported our 10th Annual Diaper Drive with Nestlings Diaper Bank of West Michigan and the Great Start Parent Coalition. This milestone year was especially meaningful as we celebrated a decade of collecting diapers and wipes to help local families in need across Kent, Ottawa, and Allegan counties. Our […]
The 5-1-1 Rule Explained: Signs You Should Head to the Hospital
You’re having contractions. Real ones. And suddenly you freeze, wondering—is it time? Do we grab the hospital bag and go, or is this a false alarm? Even with all the birth classes, apps, and well-meaning advice from everyone who’s ever had a baby, that moment of “should we go NOW?” is genuinely nerve-wracking. You […]
The Best Labor Positions for a Smoother Delivery [According to a Birth Doula]
No—lying on your back isn’t your only option for labor. In fact, research shows that women who labor in more upright positions shorten their labor by about 1 hour and 22 minutes and are less likely to have a C-section. Pretty compelling reason to try some new labor positions, right? We think so! And here’s […]
The Grandparent’s Guide to Truly Helping After Baby Arrives
Congratulations—you’re about to become a grandparent! There’s something magical about watching your child step into parenthood themselves. Here’s the thing, though: the role of a grandparent has completely evolved. The old “let me know if you need anything” approach no longer works. New parents are exhausted and don’t even know what they need help […]
How a Night Nanny Can Help You Recover Faster Postpartum
The aftermath of bringing a baby into the world involves much more than figuring out your new family routine. You might also run into some roadblocks like sleep deprivation (because let’s face it, the word ‘sleep’ isn’t in a baby’s vocabulary), physical healing, and emotional adjustment. The thing is, all of this can be overwhelming […]
Gold Coast Doulas Holds 10th Annual Charity Diaper Drive
Gold Coast Doulas is holding our 10th annual Diaper Drive from September 1st to October 1st, 2025. Giving back is an important foundation of our business as a Certified B Corporation; clean diapers significantly impact the health of new families, and our charitable giving focus is on supporting low-income women and children. One in two U.S. […]
Baby Registry Must-Haves: Night Nanny Support & Gifts Parents Really Need
Yes, gearing up for a new arrival means adding essentials like bottles, burp cloths, diapers, and wipes to your registry. But these basic items aren’t the only helpful things to have on hand for a newborn. While adorable onesies and rattle toys are fun to gush over and add to your list, there are other […]
Teething Tips
Written by Dr. Katie Swanson, Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan As a pediatric dentist, one of my favorite roles is helping parents navigate their little ones’ teething symptoms. It can be a stressful time! Below are some truths, myths, and tips to help make the growing pains of teething easier on your baby or […]
Overnight Doula Cost: What You Can Expect to Pay
Most parents know that sleep deprivation naturally comes with the newborn territory. With late-night feedings, sleep regressions, unexpected fussiness, and never-ending schedule changes, the exhaustion is bound to hit—especially within the first few weeks. But, thankfully, that’s where overnight doulas step in to save the day… or night! Overnight doulas are trained professionals providing helpful […]
What Does a Night Nanny Do All Night?
To put it lightly, night nannies are lifesavers for new parents. There’s no question about it—they swoop in at the right moment when parents need extra help and give back those precious ZZZs that (if we’re being honest) are lacking at the moment. Because the reality is, losing sleep when you’re freshly postpartum can wreak […]