Why Nurturely
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 years of an infant’s life are 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.
Implications of Perinatal Wellness
Supporting Perinatal Wellness Benefits all of Society
$
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Billion
Estimated Annual Savings from Preventing Postpartum Depression
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Estimated Infant Lives Saved if Breastfeeding were Increased
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Estimated Parent Lives Already Saved from Breastfeeding
0
%
Estimated Percent of Infant Hospital Admissions Preventable with Increased Human Milk Access
Perinatal = Prevention
Physical Health
Prenatal movement and nutrition set baby up with a microbiome and metabolism that decrease risk of infections and obesity
Brain Development
A nurtured infancy and access to human milk contribute to increased myelination (brain connectivity) and increased grey matter during this critical window of brain development
Physiological Stability
The simple act of skin-to-skin with baby promotes growth, stabilizes infant physiology, and facilitates bonding
The same things that benefit baby’s health ALSO benefit the birthing parent! Prenatal movement and nutrition contribute to an easier postpartum recovery, breastfeeding decreases a parent’s risk of cancer and diabetes, and skin-to-skin contact with baby decreases stress hormones.
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.
Planet 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.