In this powerful episode of RedefineHER, host Brenda Armstrong sits down with Judith Nowlin, maternal health innovator, FemTech pioneer, and CEO of Nest Collaborative to uncover the systemic failures in postpartum care and the bold innovations reshaping breastfeeding support.

From her early days as a childbirth educator and doula to founding iBirth and scaling Nest Collaborative into the nation’s leading virtual lactation platform, Judith shares what it really takes to build solutions that work for moms.

Together, they unpack the hidden barriers families face, including insurance illusions, cultural biases, and systemic gaps, and reveal how technology, advocacy, and payer reimbursement can finally bring equity to maternal care.

Judith also opens up about the emotional toll of breastfeeding struggles, the intersection of mental health and postpartum burnout, and the importance of balancing startup life with self-care and family.

This is an unfiltered conversation about postpartum care, innovation, and the future of maternal health.

In This Episode, We Cover

✔️ Why so few U.S. infants are exclusively breastfed at 6 months and what systemic failures are behind those numbers

✔️ The hidden illusion of “network adequacy” in insurance coverage for lactation care

✔️ How Nest Collaborative’s telehealth model is expanding access to real support for families

✔️ Judith’s journey from doula to FemTech founder

✔️ Why payer reimbursement could be the most radical innovation in women’s health today

✔️ The emotional and mental health impact of breastfeeding struggles on new mothers

✔️ How self-care rituals, including Judith’s morning coffees, anchor resilience and balance

✔️ The future of postpartum advocacy and why equity in maternal health cannot wait

Timeline

00:00 The Postpartum Marathon

02:10 Barriers to Breastfeeding

05:24 Judith's Personal Journey

11:28 The Role of Education in Childbirth and Breastfeeding

17:57 Identifying Gaps: The Need for Postpartum Support

19:59 The Birth of iBirth: Bridging the Education Gap

27:23 Transitioning to Nest Collaborative

32:08 Navigating the Gray Areas of Healthcare

34:07 The Power of Collaborative Decision Making

36:09 Integrating Technology in Maternal Care

38:08 The Journey of iBirth and Baby Scripts

39:54 Advising Female Founders in Health Tech

41:42 The Role of Nest Collaborative in Postpartum Care

42:31 Reimagining Breastfeeding Support through Telehealth

47:13 Addressing Mental Health in Maternal Care

51:42 Building Trust and Accessibility in Lactation Services

58:16 Navigating Insurance and Reimbursement Challenges

01:03:28 Navigating Insurance Challenges in Lactation Care

01:08:34 The Role of Advocacy in Maternal Health

01:12:53 Self-Care Strategies for Healthcare Professionals

01:18:06 Creating a Supportive Environment for New Parents

01:22:44 The Future of Women's Health Advocacy

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Babyscripts acquisition of iBirth

• IBLCE – Become a Certified Lactation Consultant