To inform, inspire, and support expectant parents to realize their own best vision for a healthy and joyful passage into parenthood.

To provide expert, state-of-the-art professional training and development for doulas and others who provide services to families during the childbearing year.

To support the establishment and long-term sustainability of doula programs and private-practice doula businesses.

Core Values

Birth Matters.
We believe that the quality and experience of birth and early parenthood have far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. This critical period of transition presents a unique opportunity for personal growth and transformation.

Pregnancy and birth are  normal life events.
We endorse the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as developed by the national Coalition to Improve Maternity Services (CIMS). This initiative promotes the Midwifery Model of Care and breastfeeding as optimal for mothers and babies.

Breastfeeding is best for moms and babies.
We provide education, advocacy, and support so that mothers who want to breastfeed will have every opportunity to have a successful and joyful experience. The Center encourages all mothers to consider breastfeeding and endorses the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative as developed by WHO-UNICEF.

Education is empowerment.
We provide evidence-based information that encourages informed decision-making, preventive action, holistic approaches, and an attitude of personal responsibility towards family health.

Doulas improve birth outcomes.
We recognize that families need special care and support during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum adjustment period. Since doulas have emerged as specialized care providers who can meet this need, the Center is committed to making doulas widely available to all families. When mothers are nurtured, they become better nurturers.

We are a community.
We foster the development of a supportive community of childbearing families and professionals who serve them and provide a space for this community to thrive.

Professional development and sustainability are top priorities for the doula movement.
We enhance the ability of doulas and doula programs to make money and mainstream their services by: (1) producing business-focused development media and training opportunities, (2) providing consulting and grant writing training to doula program implementers, and (3) leading a concerted effort to push for insurance reimbursement for doulas.

Vision Statement

To be an effective advocate for a MotherBabyFamily-centered, holistic model of maternity care in the U.S. and to reverse current trends in obstetric medical practice that result in a disproportionate number of poor outcomes.

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Center for the Childbearing Year, LLC

The Center offers educational programs and materials for expectant and new parents, as well as training and certification programs for professionals and aspiring professionals in the field of maternal and infant health. A lending library and community resources are available. Patty Brennan is the owner/director. Email Patty

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, LLC

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, LLC offers educational programs for expectant and new parents, as well as lactation consultant services on site, support groups for breastfeeding mothers, and a store stocking everything a breastfeeding mother may need, accompanied by expert, individualized service. Training to become a professional lactation consultant or fulfill continuing education requirements for certified professionals now available! The Breastfeeding Center also serves as a depot for human breast milk and is affiliated with the Milk Bank at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Barbara Robertson is a board certified lactation consultant and is the Director of The Breastfeeding Center. Email Barbara

New Moon Midwifery

New Moon Midwifery is a homebirth midwifery practice, with Certified Professional Midwife Amanda Howell and her apprentice(s). Prenatal and some postpartum care are provided on site. Email New Moon Midwifery.

Michelle Massey Barnes Photography

Onsite studio features photography that captures the heart of children and families. Natural lighting gives your images an intimate and artistic look and feel. Our time together is relaxed and personal so the natural beauty of your family can shine through. Birth photography also available. Email Michelle.

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Patty Brennan

Barbara Dawn Robertson, MA, IBCLC, has been involved in education for over twenty years. She received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 1988 and her Masters in Education in 1995. Barbara left teaching elementary students in 1995 to raise her two children. She got involved in La Leche League, becoming a leader in 1998. She then went on to become a board-certified lactation consultant in 2004. Barbara established The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, LLC (located on site at the Center) in early 2008 and serves as its director. She teaches breastfeeding classes for parents, runs support groups, trains professionals, and is in private practice as a lactation consultant. Barbara serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Lactation Consultants Association (USLCA) as Director of Professional Development. She loves working with mothers and babies, helping them with breastfeeding problems in whatever way she can. Barbara teaches our Breastfeeding Basics, Caring for Your Newborn, and Professional Education in Breastfeeding classes.

Alicia Montgomery is a certified birth doula (DONA), a Birthing From Within Mentor, and a mother of four inspiring boys. She has been working with pregnant women and their families since 2006 and has been leading birthing classes since 2008.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and economics at the University of Pittsburgh. Alicia is a firm believer that birth is not only normal, it is beautiful! Alicia teaches Childbirth Preparation classes at the Center.

Krista Dragun, mother of two, is a certified childbirth educator and a Birthing From Within mentor. She attended her first birth as a doula in 2002 and started teaching expectant parents in 2007. She feels fortunate to be able to help guide families through their journey not only as a childbirth educator and mentor but also as a birth and postpartum doula. Krista teaches Childbirth Preparation classes at the Center.

Renee Barnes co- facilitates our popular weekly mother-baby drop-in group known as Mothering Arts and also fills in as an instructor for our Breastfeeding Basics  and Caring for Your Newborn classes for expectant parents.

Dawn Bussey also known as “Doula Dawn” is a DONA International-trained birth doula and owner of My Doula Dawn, LLC serving greater Ann Arbor. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Michigan in 2010. Dawn believes in the immediate and long-term public health benefits of her doula work and has passionately empowered women and families through childbirth since March 2011. She teaches a class titled “What is a Doula Anyways?” — highlighting the fabulous benefits and non-magical techniques of the doula’s work — around greater Ann Arbor and in the local universities as a guest lecturer. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Doula Connection, a non-profit charitable organization. Dawn facilitates our monthly Birth Doula Encouragement Group.

Katie Mac is a DONA-trained postpartum doula with over six years of experience working with mothers and families in the postpartum period. Katie is also working towards becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, working closely with Barbara Robertson of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor. She co-facilitates our popular weekly mother-baby drop-in group known as Mothering Arts.

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Center for the Childbearing Year is located at 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Brooks is just one block east of N. Seventh St. off of Miller, next to Mack School. Our building is unique as the one commercial building in this residential neighborhood. We are in the middle of the second block off of Miller, on your right, and set back from the street a bit. There is a sign above our door and the house on the right of our building is purple.

From West of Ann Arbor:

Take I-94 to the first exit past the M-14 exchange. It is Jackson Rd. and Weber’s Hotel & Restaurant is right there. The exit ramp puts you on Jackson Rd. heading into downtown Ann Arbor. Go to your 4th traffic light (Jackson turns into Huron) and turn left onto N. Seventh. This street is one block long and deadends at Miller. Turn right on Miller. Take an immediate left turn onto Brooks St. #722 is in the middle of the second block on your right hand side. It is between Hiscock St. and W. Summit St. and is set back from the street a little ways, in between two residences.

From East of Ann Arbor:

Take I-94 to the Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. exit. This exit is the second exit after the US23 exchange. Do NOT get off on US23 and don’t be confused by an exit east of US23 for Saline. Turn right at the top of the ramp. Turn left at your 4th traffic light onto Stadium. (Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. now becomes Main St. and you will notice the UofM football stadium on your right.) Go to your next traffic light and turn right onto S. Seventh St. Follow Seventh St. until it deadends at Miller and turn right. Take an immediate left turn onto Brooks St. #722 is in the middle of the second block on your right hand side. It is between Hiscock St. and W. Summit St. and is set back from the street a little ways, in between two residences.

From North of Ann Arbor:

Take US23 south to M-14 west. Take your second exit. The sign will say “Business 23/Downtown Ann Arbor.” Go to your 1st traffic light and turn right onto W. Summit St. Follow W. Summit until it deadends at Brooks St. #722 is in the middle of the first block, on your left hand side. It is between W. Summit St. and Hiscock St. and is set back from the street a little ways, in between two residences.

From Northeast of Ann Arbor:

Take 275 or I-96 to M-14 west. Follow M-14 past the US23 South exchange and then keep following M-14 when it splits off again to US23 North. After that, take your second exit. The sign will say “Business 23/Downtown Ann Arbor.” Go to your 1st traffic light and turn right onto W. Summit St. Follow W. Summit until it deadends at Brooks St. #722 is in the middle of the first block, on your left hand side. It is between W. Summit St. and Hiscock St. and is set back from the street a little ways, in between two residences.

From South of Ann Arbor:

Take US23 North or 275 North to I-94 west. Go to the Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. exit (just after State St. exit). Turn right at the top of the ramp. Turn left at your 4th traffic light onto Stadium. (Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. now becomes Main St. and you will notice the UofM football stadium on your right.) Go to your next traffic light and turn right onto S. Seventh St. Follow Seventh St. until it deadends at Miller and turn right. Take an immediate left turn onto Brooks St. #722 is in the middle of the second block on your right hand side. It is between Hiscock St. and W. Summit St. and is set back from the street a little ways, in between two residences.

Important PARKING Information:

Parking is available on the east side of the street only (same side as the Center is on), or around the corner, or in the Mack School parking lot (week nights or weekends only). Be sure and check for signs that indicate where you cannot park and please be careful not to park too close to our neighbors’ driveways. City law states that three feet of curb space should be left open on either side of a driveway. Cars have been towed in this neighborhood, so please be careful! There are a few parking spots available as parallel parking in the lot directly in front of the building. If the lot is starting to fill up, please don’t take the last couple of spots which should be kept available for people who work in the building or live in the house on the left. Thank you for your cooperation.

PLEASE NOTE: When walking up to the Center, as you approach our building from the street, please use the driveway to the left of the building. The drive on the right (purple house) is private property and out of consideration for our neighbors, we ask that you not use it as an access route. Thank you!

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Fridays, 10am–4pm

The Center will be open at least during these hours and, on many days, additional hours as well. However, we cannot guarantee that our limited staff will be on site. If the building is open, you are welcome to come on in and access the self-serve Lending Library and Community Resources. Staff associated with other businesses on site may be available to help you with the purchase of herbs or answer questions.

Class registrations can be handled online through our secure system, or by check or credit card over the phone.

If you need to speak with Patty Brennan, please call 734-663-1523. Often we can leave specific items in our Drop Box for you to pick up when we are not available on site, or otherwise accommodate you.

The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor

Noon–4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays

And always by appointment; 734-975-6534

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Patty Brennan, Director
Email Patty
734-663-1523