Why We Exist
Perinatal wellness plays a role in lifelong health
Physical and psychological wellness during the perinatal period is critical for the long term health of both parent and baby. The first year of an infant’s life is foundational for setting up a positive developmental trajectory. For parents, recovery from birth has lifelong implications for emotional wellness and disease prevention.
Yet currently, parents and babies do not have equitable access to wellness during the perinatal period...
We are in a crisis:
preventable deaths of parents and babies are increasing postpartum is synonymous with depression human milk is inaccessible to most humans
...and Black birthing people and babies face the worst of these injustices
Broken Systems
With racism and oppression built into the structures and systems that shape the perinatal journey
Unsupportive Cultures
That perpetually neglect postpartum recovery and infant health as key to a thriving society
ClimateS-in-Crisis
With disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis felt by those least responsible
These challenges are big, but we believe there are solutions.
We focus on solutions in these key areas:
Equitable Care
Preventing health disparities caused by racism and oppression in care systems
Accessible Lactation
Ensuring all parents are informed about human milk and able to access it for their baby if they choose
Confident Carrying
Supporting traditional practices like infant carrying as evidence-based and culturally-rooted tools for optimal health of both parent and baby
Proactive Postpartum
Actively including partners, employers, and communities in ensuring the post-birth recovery of parents and babies
Resilient Climates
Prioritizing pregnant and postpartum people in climate resilience and mitigation strategies
Connected Cultures
Boldly documenting the connection from local to global, from current events to health outcomes, and from bigger picture injustices back to perinatal equity
These solutions don't just support healthy babies, they transform societies
Supporting Perinatal Wellness Benefits all of Society
Estimated Annual Savings from Preventing Postpartum Depression
$
0
Billion
Estimated Infant Lives Saved if Breastfeeding were Increased
0
Estimated Parent Lives Already Saved from Breastfeeding
0
Estimated Percent of Infant Hospital Admissions Preventable with Increased Human Milk Access
0
%
Ready to be part of these solutions? Join us.
Our Story
Global Inspiration + Local Impact
Most human cultures around the world have integrated community-supported rituals to nurture infants and caregivers during the perinatal period. Yet Western industrialized culture has largely lost this critical societal infrastructure. After years of working internationally, Nurturely’s founder, Emily Little, PhD, started Nurturely with the goal of creating local impact from global inspiration. Nurturely uses preventative wellness programs, community-participatory research, and interdisciplinary trainings to tackle disparities in perinatal health in the US. Nurturely strives to honor the inspiring international wellness and support practices from a place of humility and respect, amplifying the voices of the original holders of these practices.
Our Mission
Nurturely’s mission is to promote equity in perinatal wellness and strengthen cultures of support for infants and caregivers through preventative knowledge-sharing, collaborative exploration, and proactive community engagement
Our Vision
Nurturely envisions a world where wellness for infants and caregivers is a right, not a privilege – where all infants are nurtured by society, all caregivers are informed, supported, and empowered in their childrearing and healthcare choices, and all perinatal professionals excel in compassionate, culturally-sensitive care.
We Believe...
wellness is a right not a privilege
Perinatal wellness should be accessible to all. We practice equity by critically evaluating our internal practices and co-creating programs with the community.
Perinatal disparities should be prevented
A preventative rather than reactive approach is essential. Prioritizing early health and development naturally provides a means of addressing the root of other societal issues.
Lifelong Growth is key to success
Equity in perinatal wellness is a journey not a destination. We are always adapting ourselves and our work based on new learnings and community feedback.
Cultural differences deserve celebration
We celebrate cultural variation in perinatal wellness practices. We commit to honoring, understanding, and representing the cultural roots and deep history of these practices.
Planetary health is perinatal health
The same things that degrade our planet are also detrimental to the health of infants and caregivers. We strive to leave this planet better than we found it.
Connecting all of our beliefs is the non-negotiable commitment to recognizing and dismantling racism, anti-Blackness, and white supremacy
We are a multicultural organization serving all races, cultures, and backgrounds of people. We also recognize that globally, racism and anti-Blackness are the greatest threats to perinatal wellness and to thriving communities.
By focusing on uplifting Black and global majority wellbeing, we are getting to the root of the injustices faces by all pregnant and postpartum people.
