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As founder and full time CEO of TheraB Medical, Alexa Jones is dedicated to the success of commercializing SnugLit. In 2014, Alexa and two other students invented SnugLit as an engineering project at Michigan State University. After graduating with a degree in Biosystems Engineering, she worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, working in Short-Sale Equity and Foreign Exchange markets. In late 2015, Alexa found her passion for entrepreneurship and began the commercialization of SnugLit as a full time career. Here’s a look into who Alexa is and how she got to where she is now.
Q: Why are you passionate about what you do? A: “I became passionate about creating SnugLit after talking to so many real people who told me they wished they’ve had this product in their life. When you talk to real people who care about what you’re doing, and they say that it would make a difference in their lives, it really motivates you to make it a reality.” Q: What’s the most important thing you’re working on right now? A: “We’re currently working with Tekna to finalize the product that we’ve been working on since the very beginning of the company. We’ve had so much good traction over the past few years and it’s exciting to finally be within 6 months of launch.” Q: What inspired you to begin TheraB Medical? A: “TheraB began as a class project given through a design course. What inspired us to take it from a class project to an actual company were the conversations that our original student team had with nurses and moms. They validated the need for a new jaundice treatment and we loved seeing how excited they were when we showed them what we were working on.” Q: If there was one thing you would go back and do differently, what would it be? A: “I wish that we would’ve applied for federal SBIR grants as a funding resource earlier. This would have made it much easier to raise our first institutional round of capital since we would have had a more developed product to go off of when applying for non-government funding.” Q: What do you think you would be doing if you never began this company? A: “If I never began TheraB, I would probably still be working in finance at Goldman Sachs. I loved working there but also really enjoy the independence and humanitarian aspects that come with having a healthcare startup.” Q: What are 3 ways you would describe TheraB Medical? A: “I would describe TheraB as being a company that is innovative, listens to our customers, and is the future of newborn care. We’re still developing SnugLit and building the product around the voices of our customers. We plan to change the approach of jaundice to be healthcare efficient while also including the care aspect that new moms desperately need.” Q: Where do you plan to be 1 year from now? A: “In 1 year, we plan to be launched in both the US and India. We have built incredible partnerships in both locations and are eager to get our product in the market.” Q: Why is right now the best time for TheraB to exist? A: “Everything we’ve been through so far has been a learning experience to figure out our purpose and how to best serve our customers. The mistakes, timing, experiences, and opportunities have all led up to now, with us having a well-informed and unique background. Now more than ever, it’s also important to decrease time spent in hospitals and reduce the risk of exposure to disease. Current times call for innovative and revolutionary solutions, and SnugLit is just that.”
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Swaddling your newborn is a trick that's been around for ages. Because it mimics a mother's womb, it can help keep your baby feeling snug and secure like they've been used to. It can also be a big help with soothing fussy babies and getting your little one to fall asleep. Safety First If done correctly, a swaddle should be snugly fastened so that there's no chance of it coming undone. For tips on how to safely swaddle, click here for The Mayo Clinic’s step-by-step tutorial. Also, be sure to place babies on their back when they fall asleep swaddled, in order to reduce the risk of SIDS. It’s important that they can’t roll over when placed this way, so the transition out of swaddling should begin once they start rolling over at around 2 to 3 months old. Babies Fall Asleep Faster and Longer Because swaddling helps babies feel so cozy and secure, it can help them fall asleep much faster and keep them sleeping soundly for longer. It also helps prevent their startle reflex from causing unnecessary wake ups. This means more sleep for parents too! It Mimics a Parent’s Touch Since swaddling mimics touch, it helps babies feel calm and safe. While this can help babies fall asleep, it also has neurological benefits such as stabilizing their heart rate and blood pressure, lowering cortisol levels, and provoking a self-soothing reflex. Decreased Crying Due to its soothing effects, swaddling can decrease the frequency and duration of crying. Studies have shown that it actually decreases crying about 30% more than massages do! No Need for Items in the Crib Swaddling allows your baby to be cozy and comfortable, so there’s no need to worry about using comfort items while they sleep. It’s best to avoid using items like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals in your baby’s crib since this has been linked to SIDS. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
Hearing that your newborn has been diagnosed with jaundice can be scary at first, if it’s something you’re not familiar with. But don't worry! The more you learn about neonatal jaundice, the more you'll realize that this condition is actually really common and usually harmless. Not to mention, treatments like SnugLit can help ensure that jaundice won’t be a major disruption to your exciting new experience with your newborn. It’s Very Common in Newborns Most babies are actually affected by jaundice to some extent. This condition is present in 60% of full-term newborns and up to 80% of premature babies. Frequent Breastfeeding Helps Frequently breastfeeding your baby is actually a great way to keep their bilirubin levels down. Most newborns should do so about 8-12 times per day. Not only can this help improve the mother’s milk supply, it can also help decrease bilirubin levels since bowel movements will increase as well, allowing for excretion of excess bilirubin. Luckily with SnugLit, you won’t have to remove your baby from treatment to be able to breastfeed! Phototherapy is a Common Treatment Based on a newborn's age, severity, and cause of jaundice, many babies require treatment to lower their bilirubin levels. One of the most commonly recommended treatments is phototherapy- a type of light treatment that uses blue light. During this treatment, your baby is exposed to as much of this light as possible. It gets absorbed by their skin and blood to help change bilirubin into a form that can be safely passed through their system. Risk Factors and Causes The main risk factors and causes for severe jaundice include:
When You’ll Notice It One of the first signs of jaundice is the yellowing of your baby’s skin. Since this coloration may not be obvious, you can actually check for this condition by gently pressing on your baby’s nose or forehead to see if the skin looks yellow when you let your finger up. Most newborns have physiological jaundice, which is considered mild and short-lasting. You’ll generally notice this within the first 2-4 days after birth. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
Your baby will be on the go before you know it and you'll want to make sure you’re ready when that day finally comes. We want to help give you peace of mind knowing that your little one is out of harm's way in your home. Use this checklist to make sure you've got everything covered and your house is safe and sound!
The Nursery
The Living Room
The Kitchen
Here at TheraB Medical, we understand the importance of bonding with your newborn, especially during early infancy. We also understand that there are a variety of reasons why you may feel unable to form a strong attachment with your baby right away. If that is the case, don’t worry! It might just take some time to strengthen the connection between the two of you and there are tons of different ways to do so. Skin-to-Skin Skin-to-skin contact is known to have numerous benefits for both mother and baby. This contact causes the release of a hormone in the mother that lowers stress and promotes healing. In the baby, hormones are released that stabilize their heartbeat and breathing patterns. For both mother and baby, hormones are released that encourage a strong bond with one another. The first hours after birth have been shown to be especially crucial since a lack of skin-to-skin contact during this time can cause a reduction in the mother’s maternal behavior and in her affective response to her baby. Breastfeeding As a form of skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding also releases hormones in both mother and baby that encourage strong emotional bonding with one another. This also has an endless number of health benefits, including a stronger immune system, less diarrhea and constipation, fewer ear infections, fewer colds and respiratory illnesses, and reduced rates of SIDS. Listen to Their Heartbeat Listening to your baby’s heartbeat can bring you right back to the first time you heard this during pregnancy. This can serve as a little reminder of the journey that the two of you have been through together. Keep a Journal Keeping a journal is a great way to reflect on how you feel and can be a chance to document your journey. Sometimes it can really put things into perspective when you take a look back on how much your life has changed in such a short period of time. Close-up Face Time Close-up face time is a great way to bond with your newborn, especially since early on they can only see about 8-15 inches away and prefer faces over objects. You can do this by smiling, cooing, singing, dancing, reading, or just being silly together! Do an Activity Together Doing an activity together can be a fun way to bond with your newborn. It helps if you have a sling or front carrier for your baby so they can be close to you. This activity could be something exciting like the zoo or something as simple as shopping for groceries or going to the park. Talk to Them Talking, singing, and cooing with your baby can help begin the special bond and communication that the two of you have together. It also helps with early language development since your baby is listening to and absorbing all of the different sounds and tones you make. Make Eye Contact Making eye contact with your baby is another way to release hormones that increase bonding between the two of you. This is also thought to cause the adult involved and the infant’s brain waves to sync up while this connection is being made! Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
While SnugLit can help make jaundice treatment less stressful, having a newborn can still come with a lot of struggles. Here at TheraB Medical, we want to help you focus on enjoying your time with your newborn, rather than worrying about how to get them to fall asleep. Here are some tips for when it seems like no matter what you do you just can’t get your newborn to sleep! Be patient First of all, be patient! It can be exhausting to try to predict your baby’s sleeping pattern at first. It can also take a while for any kind of pattern to begin, so try not to beat yourself up if this seems super unpredictable early on. Swaddle Swaddling your baby can help them feel more secure — as if they’re still in the womb. Not only can it help soothe an upset baby, but it can also calm them down if they are feeling overstimulated. Follow Your Baby’s Lead Sometimes the easiest way to get your baby to fall asleep is to simply pay attention to what’s going on when they do finally fall asleep. For example, some babies like to use a pacifier, some like a rocking chair, and some fall asleep while eating. Every baby is different so you may just need to pay attention to what seems to work best for them! Feed a Little Extra Before Nighttime To help ensure a longer night’s sleep, try to encourage your baby to feed a little more during their last feeding before bedtime. Since they eat every couple of hours, this might be able to prolong their first wake up a little longer! Designate a Sleeping Area Giving your baby a designated spot to sleep can help ensure that that any unforeseen events won't wake them up. This also allows them to have their own area where they can truly rest and recharge. Start a Sleeping Routine Starting a sleeping routine is a great way to ensure that your baby feels calm and secure before falling asleep. This could mean reading a book, getting a gentle massage, or listening to lullabies. Use Dark and Light Cues Using dark and light cues can be a great way to get your baby into a normal sleep pattern. These can help synchronize your baby’s circadian rhythm with the natural 24-hour daylight and darkness cycle. By keeping it dim when it’s time to go to sleep and keeping it bright while they’re up and playing, they can begin to fall into this cycle. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
Life can get really hectic really quickly after having a baby and it’s easy to spend every possible second caring for them. It’s also easy to spend almost no time caring for yourself! While this is probably very low on the list of priorities, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the confidence and energy you can gain from spending a small amount of time caring for your own well-being. Not to mention, your body needs some time to heal after everything it’s just been through. Here are some quick and easy tips that can help you squeeze some self-care into any busy day! Get a Little Exercise Whether it’s a nice slow walk or some postpartum exercises you found online, a little fitness (and fresh air) can feel great! Be sure to pay attention to what feels best for your body and go at your own pace. Sleep When the Baby Sleeps It can feel impossible to get some rest when you have a newborn at home. By taking advantage of sleeping at the same time as your baby, you might actually be able to get enough sleep to add up to a full night's rest. You’ll be surprised at the extra energy you can gain from taking these little power naps! Eat Healthy Meals Your body is recovering from going through an entire pregnancy and now you’re spending all of your time looking after your little one. It’s important to give your body the energy it needs to help with this recovery and to provide you with the energy you need keep up with your newborn! Not to mention, breastfeeding is using up hundreds of extra calories that need to be replenished. Get Your Hair Done Getting your hair done can feel surprisingly amazing. This can help boost your confidence and give you some time to just relax and pamper yourself. It’s also a good idea to schedule this before the baby is born so you won’t be anxiously waiting for too long! Do Some Postpartum Shopping Finally being able to wear some clothes that aren’t meant for pregnancy calls for a reason to treat yourself! Since it can be difficult to find time for, online shopping might be an ideal option. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns.
Being cooped up at home so often lately, it’s impossible not to get outside when the opportunity strikes. However, it can sometimes be difficult to think of outdoor activities that will be fun for your baby. Here are some easy outdoor activities that can entertain the both of you. Just remember to keep on watchful eye on your baby at all times since we know that everything seems to gravitate right into their mouth!
Bubbles Bubbles are a simple and cheap activity that will likely fascinate your baby endlessly. If you don’t have any,you can easily make your own with some soap and water, a plate or frisbee, and a bubble wand made out of pipe cleaners! Practice Walking What better place to practice learning how to walk than outside? This provides a great chance for your baby to get some steps in and land in some cushy grass when things may not go so smoothly. Sensory Play The outdoors are filled with all sorts of new things and textures for your baby to explore. You can also bring out some of their toys and spread them out on a blanket. It’s especially entertaining if you bring some balls since these can be a little tougher to play with inside. Splash in the Water Playing with water can be a great way to entertain your baby and cool off. As long as you’re closely supervising, you could put some water in a kiddy pool, grab a sprinkler, or put together a sensory bin full of water toys. The best part is you don’t have to worry about them making a mess! Have a Picnic Having a picnic can be a fun way to enjoy some time outside. This is especially great if you only have a small window of nice weather that day since it’s quick and mess-free. All you need is a blanket and some snacks! While SnugLit can help make jaundice treatment less stressful, having a newborn can still be pretty exhausting! Here at TheraB Medical, we want to help ease your stress in any way we can so that you can get back to focusing on the joy that a new baby brings. Here are some suggestions for when it seems like no matter what you do, you just can’t calm your newborn. Swaddling Swaddling your baby can help them feel more secure. Not only can it help soothe a crying baby but also lead to longer and sounder sleep. Entertain Your Baby Providing enough stimuli can sometimes actually distract your baby from crying. This could mean showing them an interesting toy, song, or tv show. Sometimes you can actually even show your baby a recording of them crying or mock them to capture their attention! Background Noise Babies can feel much calmer when they hear sounds that remind them of being in the womb. These include the sounds of a fan, noise machine, lullabies, or even sounds from an app on your phone. Add Some Movement When babies are in the womb, they are constantly feeling the motion that goes along with it. You can help relax them with this familiar movement in a number of different ways. These could include rocking them in a chair, using a glider or swing, or even going for a car ride. Use a Pacifier Using a pacifier is a great way to soothe a fussy baby. It can also provide a distraction from crying long enough for your baby to calm down. Check Their Clothes Sometimes the problem can be as simple as having uncomfortable clothes on. They might have a diaper or article of clothing on that’s too tight. Their clothes might also be too hot or a part of them might be too exposed, making them cold. Give a Massage Just like adults, babies can feel much calmer after having a gentle massage. Softly stroking the sides of their face or down their nose can also help calm them and may even make them fall asleep. Try the “Football Hold” Some babies are especially prone to getting gas. The “Football Hold” is one position that can help alleviate the pain they may be feeling from being gassy. This entails holding them with their stomach facing downwards, directly on top of your forearm, and their head near your elbow. This helps add pressure to their stomach, so they don’t feel as much pain from having gas. Be sure you’re using your other arm to hold them securely and comfortably. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns. There are a surprising number of things that you can do to improve your baby’s development while they’re still in the womb. These can help with development in areas such as language development, memory, sight, and sensation. Talk, Read, or Sing After 32 weeks, your baby may actually be able to understand language to the point of recognizing certain vowels. Hearing your voice may help with both increasing their development and the connection between the two of you. Use Pregnancy Apps This can be a great way to track your progress and feel connected with your baby. It’s also a great way to help track milestones and know where they’re at developmentally. Rub Your Belly After 26 weeks, your baby can move in response to a rubbing a hand on your belly. This is also a great way for siblings to bond. Find Ways to Relax Don’t be afraid to take some extra time to relax and unwind. This can help you reflect on your pregnancy and reduce overall stress. Evidence shows that stress can actually lead to increased risk of health problems and even premature birth. Write a Journal There are an endless number of things you can write about in relation to your pregnancy. Not only is this a great way to document your pregnancy, but it also provides an opportunity for both bonding and reflection. Involve Family Having other family members talk to the baby can help them get used to their voices. This can also help family members feel closer to the baby. Document Your Bump This is a great way to get excited about your pregnancy and how far you’ve come! Sharing your progress on social media or creating an album can be a fun way to preserve the memories of this experience. Respond to Your Baby’s Kicks During the last trimester, you can softly touch or rub on your belly where your baby last kicked and sometimes, you’ll get a response! This can help create a special communication that will connect the two of you. Disclaimer: The contents of this article are created for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns. |
Welcome to TheraB Medical's Blog!
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