Healthy Beginnings: Groundbreaking Advances in Maternal and Infant Health

Every year on the 7th April, World Health Day shines a light on important health topics, and in 2025, the theme is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’—a call to action for better maternal and newborn health worldwide. To celebrate, we’re shining a spotlight on three incredible life science innovations that are improving care for mothers and babies. 

Booby Biome 

Booby Biome is on a mission to ensure all babies get the best possible start in life by focusing on the incredible benefits of breast milk’s microbiome. Founded by Dr. Lydia Mapstone, Dr. Sioned Jones, and Dr. Tara O'Driscoll, this all-female team is developing breast milk-based probiotics. These incredible probiotics can be given to help babies who may not receive all the beneficial bacteria in breastmilk; whether a mother has chosen to bottle feed or is having issues with breastfeeding. Their research aims to empower mothers and reduce the risk of colic, allergies and asthma; setting babies up worldwide for a healthier future. 

Babyscripts

Babyscripts is a digital health company revolutionising pregnancy monitoring, by empowering expectant mothers to participate in their care, through a mobile app to track their health. The app allows obstetricians to remotely monitor key health data, helping them detect potential risks early and intervene when necessary. With this technology, Babyscripts is ensuring moms-to-be get the care they need, when they need it—reducing complications and promoting safer pregnancies. 

mOm Incubators

For babies born prematurely, access to an incubator is vital for survival but in many parts of the world, traditional incubators are too expensive or difficult to access. That’s why mOm Incubators, founded by James Roberts, has invented a smart, cost-effective, and portable incubator. Designed to be lightweight and easy to use, this inflatable, electronically controlled incubator provides a safe, thermoregulated environment for newborns—making it ideal for use in hospitals, rural areas, and even during medical transport. It’s a groundbreaking innovation that has the potential to save countless lives across the globe. 

Hopeful Futures 

Every year, approximately 300,000 women die due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, and over 2 million newborns die worldwide within their first month of life. However, start-ups such as Booby Biome, Babyscripts, and mOm Incubators are  are leading efforts to alter these statistics. By harnessing technology and research, they aim to close critical gaps in care, ensuring that mothers and babies receive the support they need. 

As we celebrate World Health Day 2025, let’s take a moment to recognise and support these incredible advancements. Because when we invest in healthy beginnings, we create hopeful futures—for families, for communities, and for the world.