We are proud of the fact that bbhugme's products are developed by healthcare professionals specialized in maternity care. This expert knowledge of what happens to the body during the changes (and challenges) of pregnancy and nursing is what makes our products unique, and loved by moms everywhere.

Additionally, we have a Health Expert Panel: a group of healthcare experts passionate about pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. Each has experience using our products with the women they care for. Their unique insights and learnings from their practices are crucial to our product development, and they also provide us with quality healthcare information for helpful articles and product content.

Here is our Health Expert Panel:

Hilde Tavares - Founder and Chiropractor

Ann Kristin S. Homdrum - Founder and Chiropractor

Kendall Sonnenberg-  Registered Nurse and Certified Lactation Consultant

Rachel Harangody - Neonatal Nurse and Founder of metta baby

Birgitta Klang - Nurse and CEO of Hedda Hele Livet

Hilde Tavares - Founder and Chiropractor

Hilde and her husband run a family chiropractic practice just outside of Stavanger, Norway. She works with pregnant women, new moms, and their babies every day. Her work reaches beyond treating only aches and pains, and centers around helping women understand their true physical strength and connecting with their inner voice that already knows what is best for them and their babies.

As one of the founders of bbhugne, and part of the product development team, Hilde has a close relationship with all the bbhugme products. Despite her having her three children before the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow became a reality, there is still one on every couch and bed in her house, proving that it is the best pillow to rest and relax with, pregnant or not.

"Motherhood: possibly the most pivotal transition a woman can go through in life and how well informed, loved and supported we can make her feel in that process will aid in her confidence to express and live out her best version of motherhood how she sees it."

Ann Kristin S. Homdrum - Founder and Chiropractor

Ann Kristin has been taking care of women and babies as a chiropractor for many years. She runs a chiropractic clinic with her husband which has been helping families since 2009. They also run an Instagram account, @natural_born_parenting, that focuses on health advice for pregnant women and families with small children.

As one of the three founders of bbhugme, she is confident that the products will stand the test of time. Knowing how much of a difference proper sleep and support in pregnancy makes, Ann Kristin has used all of the bbhugme products herself in her own pregnancies and is a proud mom of three.

Ann Kristin recommends the pregnancy pillow to the pregnant moms she sees in her practice and the feedback is always positive. She loves knowing that a product she recommends and has been a part of creating is bringing so much relief and satisfaction for the women she cares for.

“From the moment of conception, a mother’s body goes through a series of transformations. I am passionate about providing women with more support on their journey through motherhood. My role centers on informing them about the healthy choices that can make a difference for both the mother and the baby’s development.”

Kendall Sonnenberg -  Registered Nurse and Certified Lactation Consultant

Kendall is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), and she has worked closely with mothers, babies and their families for the past 14 years. Her experiences working as an RN in high-risk pregnancy and postpartum hospital units as well as fast-paced pediatric and OB/GYN clinics has given her a unique clinical skill set. She can provide expert care for families during all stages of pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, thanks to her well rounded professional experience.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Kendall moved to Oslo, Norway, with her husband and two children in 2018. She was fortunate to join forces with Ammeklinikken and work as a IBCLC (lactation consultant), providing families all over the Oslo region with dedicated in-home lactation care. In addition, Kendall offers digital appointments for families that are outside of her service area.

Kendall is passionate about empowering women and parents to care for themselves and their babies. In her practice, she focuses on providing accurate information and practical guidance so that mothers can make informed decisions on their breastfeeding journey.

“I feel so honored to be able to care for women and their families during some of the most challenging and rewarding periods in life. We as healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to influence a mother on how she makes healthcare decisions, and I strive to meet that responsibility with respect and compassion. I love to provide a sense of safety and confidence, and empower mothers to feel secure that they can care for their baby and meet their breastfeeding or breastmilk feeding goals.”

Rachel Harangody - Neonatal Nurse and Founder of metta baby

Rachel has supported new mothers and their families for many years. From the high-pressure environment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, through being a private in-home nurse to new babies, she now owns an infant wellness studio, metta baby, in Chicago, USA.

Rachel has experienced a number of cultures and their different perspectives on family and infant wellness when living in Europe. She brings all of that diverse experience into her work today. Rachel and her husband now live in Chicago, happy to be home and growing their family.

bbhugme products are always around, both in the baby wellness studio and Rachel’s home. In the studio, the bbhugme Nursing Pillow provides support for breastfeeding, tummy time, and baby massage for the little ones. Her clients love all that it can do for them.

At home, the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow has been a must-have during her pregnancies. Rachel is convinced that the pillow is crucial for her getting a good night’s sleep.

“No matter the setting, culture, or region - one fact remains the same. Mothers or soon-to-be mothers do not have the physical, mental or emotional support that they should have in these very vulnerable stages. It is my mission to change this - whether that is anywhere from the pre to the early postnatal period.”

Birgitta Klang - Nurse and CEO of Hedda Hela Livet

Former bbhugme Health Experts

Harriet Plowright - Pediatric Doctor

Åsa Lind - Midwife

Åsa has practiced as a midwife for 25 years. With that experience, she has seen and done it all and is an expert in midwifery, birth, pregnancy care, and women’s health.

Beyond her clinical training, Åsa is also trained in baby massage and Shiatsu massage for pregnant women.

Her career has taken her from working in the hospital’s delivery wards, managing and operating her own midwifery practice to counselling many women preparing for pregnancy and birth.

Her role, and what gives her joy, is dealing with the medical issues that can sometimes come along with pregnancies and births. She strives to create a strong connection with her patients based on respect and building trust.

She knows that every mother and baby is different, and there are many choices to make. Only the mother can know what is best for her and her baby. Making sure that the moms recognise that in themselves is what is most important to her.

“My wish is that everyone ends up immensely proud of themselves, proud of the choices they have made and that they will feel both mentally and physically strong enough to bond with their newborn child.”
 

Click here to learn more about us or read our founders' story.