In this episode, we are learning about a new social venture working to improve the well-being of parents and their babies. Babyhood Lab was founded and is headed by Dr. Jessica Gaulton in collaboration with her colleagues at Newborn Special Care Associates.

Dr. Gaulton is an Attending Physician in Neonatology and Director of Perinatal Innovation at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health. Her expertise lies at the intersection of medicine, design, and entrepreneurship. She completed her Fellowship in Neonatology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. Dr. Gaulton received her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard School of Public Health. Jessica graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cornell University.

The Babyhood Lab project brings together a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, designers, entrepreneurs, and parents who are already designing products and delivering services to improve the postpartum experience to foster innovation from within the healthcare system and create change for families. Personally, I have been asked to serve on the Advisory Board for the Babyhood Lab and am excited to continue supporting families especially those navigating the NICU.

On this episode you will hear:

• What inspired Dr. Gaulton to start the Babyhood Lab.

• Why she and her colleagues at NSCA found delivering services to improve the postpartum experience to be so important.

• Babyhood Lab’s mission and what they are hoping to achieve.

• You’ll hear about human-centered design and design-thinking, and what those terms actually mean.

• How the many parents who have experienced the NICU, who love to share their family’s personal journey (along with questions, feelings, and help they wish they had asked for) can participate in this project.

• You’ll hear all about “co-design.”

• We will discuss the questions you, as parents, should be asking regarding breastfeeding and feeding your baby.

• One of the biggest lessons Dr. Gaulton has learned over the years from NICU families.

• Dr. Gaulton’s biggest piece of advice to families when they are ready to leave the NICU.

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