Transforming neonatal care through neuroscience and lived experience
NICU Neuroscience is the creation of Leo’s founder, Lottie King—born from her lived experience of baby loss, a prolonged neonatal stay, birth trauma, pregnancy after loss, and the impact on her mental health during this time. Combined with the latest advances in neuroscience, this training package (currently in development), funded by the Woodsmith Foundation brings a unique perspective to neonatal and maternity care.
Why it matters
This global training programme is designed to deepen healthcare teams’ understanding of the psychological and physiological impact of a neonatal stay on parents—both during admission and long after discharge. By applying a neuroscience-informed lens, it explores what happens in the nervous system of parents navigating the NICU journey, helping staff to meet families with greater insight and compassion.
How We’ll Help
Burnout across healthcare is at unprecedented levels, particularly within maternity and neonatal settings. Recent reviews consistently highlight the strain on staff and its ripple effect on families. Supporting healthcare professionals to regulate and protect their own wellbeing is essential to sustaining safe, compassionate care. This training will equip healthcare staff with embodied learning opportunities which aid strengthening their vagal tone to support their well-being.
Our solution
NICU Neuroscience training and the Nervous System Informed Neonatal Mental Health Care Framework equips nurses, doctors, midwives, healthcare assistants, and all professionals in contact with neonatal families with practical, embodied learning to:
- Recognise and respond to the nervous system states of parents in neonatal care & in the community
- In collaboration with global leaders in neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, and psychology, who bring both academic expertise and lived experience
- Apply neuroscience-based tools and knowledge (including vagus nerve regulation, Polyvagal Theory, and Interpersonal Neurobiology) to clinical interactions
- Build personal resilience and reduce the risk of burnout through accessible neural techniques
- CPD Accredited to enhance person development
Contact Us:
Lottie@leosneonatal.org // NICUneuroscience@leosneonatal.org
Get involved
Be the first to access exclusive webinars, neural exercise sessions, and early offers by joining the NICU Neuroscience waiting list today.
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To keep up to date with Lottie & her work you can follow her on Instagram
Supporting families through premature and traumatic births, from the neonatal unit and beyond.
Our team provide a nurturing blend of lived experience mental health support & childhood development support.
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More informationWe've been looking after the mental health and well-being of neonatal families since 2018.
250
Families supported since 2021
1
Prime Ministers Award for our COVID-19 response
90%
Of families said peer support improved their mental health
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