Dr. Emily Little on Supporting the Whole Perinatal Experience

In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Emily Little researcher and founder of Nurturely. Together, they explore how a baby’s sensory world influences their development, the impact of culture on parent-infant interactions, and why early sensory experiences—like babywearing, skin-to-skin, and gentle handling—can have profound effects on feeding, regulation, and bonding. Dr. Little shares evidence-based insights into nurturing the whole baby while advocating for a more inclusive, anti-racist model of perinatal health.

Emily’s Journey into Perinatal Psychology

Dr. Little shares how:

• Her early research focused on infant sensory systems and regulation.
• Time spent in cross-cultural research opened her eyes to the variety of parenting norms around the globe.
• She founded Nurturely to bridge research and equity-centered community care, bringing together science, support, and systems change.

Why Sensory Development Matters in Early Life

They discuss:

• How babies rely on touch, sound, movement, and smell to make sense of their world.
• How common Western parenting norms—like placing babies in containers and using less skin-to-skin—can lead to sensory mismatch and dysregulation.
• Why “fussy” behavior may be a clue to unmet sensory needs rather than a temperament issue.

Cultural Norms, Racism, and Equity in Perinatal Care

Dr. Little explains:

• How colonization and racism have disrupted culturally grounded parenting practices.
• The importance of reclaiming and honoring ancestral knowledge—especially in Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.
• That perinatal care must move beyond individual-level support and into system-level change to be truly equitable.

Rethinking the Babywearing “Trend”

They explore:

• How babywearing is often dismissed as “optional” in Western medicine—but is the norm globally.
• The developmental, emotional, and regulatory benefits of babywearing for both parents and infants.
• How Nurturely’s programs provide access to baby carriers, workshops, and community support—especially for BIPOC families.

Creating Systemic Change in Perinatal Health

Dr. Little describes:

• Why research alone is not enough—we need community-driven change.
• Nurturely’s model of working with BIPOC-led organizations to co-create programs that address real-world challenges.
• Why dismantling racism in perinatal health is a lifelong commitment, not a checkbox.

Advice for IBCLCs and Perinatal Professionals

Dr. Little encourages providers to:

• Stay curious—question what you consider “normal” parenting practices.
• Understand the deep connection between sensory development and feeding behaviors.
• Partner with community organizations to expand access and inclusion in perinatal care.

Guest Info:

Dr. Emily Little is a researcher and the founder of Nurturely, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equity in perinatal wellness and strengthening the connection between culture, science, and care.

🌐 www.nurturely.org

📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilylittlephd

Connect with Margaret:

📧 Email: hello@margaretsalty.com

📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty

📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty

🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty

🎧 Guest: Dr. Emily Little

🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, “My Time Traveling Machine”

Hashtags & Keywords:

#BehindTheLatch #InfantDevelopment #PerinatalPsychology #Babywearing #SensoryNeeds #LactationSupport #EquityInPerinatalCare #CulturalHumility #Nurturely #IBCLC

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