Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms’ Small Business Spotlight! Meet Jessica D’Angelo, pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of HUDDLE, a nurse practitioner-led newborn and postpartum support practice thoughtfully serving families across Illinois.
With years of experience in pediatrics and a heart for guiding parents through those tender first weeks at home, Jessica has created a modern, relationship-based circle of care that blends clinical expertise with real-time, compassionate support. In our exclusive interview, she shares the inspiration behind HUDDLE, the gaps it fills in traditional postpartum care, and how her team helps families feel confident, connected, and never alone during the fourth trimester.
We are so excited to welcome Jessica and HUDDLE to the Chicago North Shore Moms community!
Hi Jessica. Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! Thanks for sitting down with me! I’m originally from New York, and I currently live in Nashville. I lived in Chicago (Lincoln Park) for about 6 years but moved away in 2019. It’s easy to come back and forth to Chicago which has been helpful for getting my business started and connecting with the community.
What are one or two fun or interesting things to know about you?
I love to try anything new or creative! Painting, drawing, pottery– you name it, I’ve probably tried it. I also love to travel and try new restaurants.
Any good reads or tv shows you’ve binged lately?
I just started watching Ted Lasso. I’m not a huge TV watcher, so it can take me a while to get through a show. It’s been great so far.
Your mantra?
One day at a time.
It’s time to get down to business. Please introduce HUDDLE.
HUDDLE is a nurse practitioner-led newborn and postpartum support practice serving families in Illinois. We provide pediatric telehealth memberships, in-home RN night nursing, lactation counseling, and postpartum mental health support. We focus on the fourth trimester and early parenthood, offering both virtual and in-home care so families have real-time access to licensed professionals when questions or challenges arise.
Fantastic! So many questions come up, it’s so nice to have this resource. What is your professional background and qualifications for HUDDLE?
I’m a pediatric nurse practitioner, trained in primary and acute care pediatrics, with clinical experience in general pediatrics, infectious disease, emergency medicine, telehealth, and newborn care.
Throughout my career, I’ve cared for families during some of their most vulnerable moments. HUDDLE is an extension of that work combining clinical expertise with a more relationship-driven, accessible model of support.
So, you probably field a lot of questions from friends and family who have just had a baby?
Absolutely. For years, I’ve been the person people reach out to when something feels uncertain — whether it’s a feeding concern, a rash, or just that 2 a.m. “Is this normal?” moment. What stood out to me wasn’t just the number of questions, but how much reassurance parents were really looking for. They weren’t always seeking a medical diagnosis. They wanted clarity, perspective, and someone they trusted to say, “This makes sense,” or “Here’s what to watch for.” That realization played a big role in shaping Huddle.
Many families first discover HUDDLE through your RN Night Nurse offering. What’s one thing you wish every new parent knew about the full circle of care you provide, from telehealth and lactation counseling to postpartum mental health and adoption support?
Night nursing is often the entry point, but it’s only one piece of what we do. I want families to know that HUDDLE offers a full continuum of support; from telehealth visits and lactation counseling to postpartum mental health screening. We’re designed to support the entire family, not just the baby.
Parenthood can feel incredibly isolating, especially in those first few weeks. How does HUDDLE help parents feel more connected, confident, and cared for, not just as caregivers, but as individuals navigating major life transitions?
I think one of the hardest parts of early parenthood is feeling like you’re suddenly supposed to figure everything out on your own. I’ve heard so many parents describe that moment in the hospital — you’ve just had a baby, you’re exhausted, and a couple of days later you’re discharged and there’s this quiet realization of, “Wait… that’s it? You’re not coming home with us?”
HUDDLE was created to help fill that gap by offering a consistent, trusted circle of care. Some families want us there the day they’re discharged to help them settle into feeding and sleep routines. Others prefer to get home first and then bring us in. You choose the days, nights and times that work best for your family, and outside of those hours, we’re still available through telehealth.
Our team includes licensed professionals who not only have clinical training but, in many cases, have lived this season of life themselves. Parents can reach out directly, ask questions in real time, and receive reassurance grounded in both evidence and experience.
That steady combination of access, expertise, and empathy helps parents feel less alone and more confident in their decisions.
Can you share a bit about what inspired you to take that leap from idea to reality with HUDDLE, and how this model differs from traditional pediatric or postpartum care?
I wanted to build a model of care that allowed for a smaller caseload, more time with families, and care rooted in continuity and trust. The leap came from recognizing that even with excellent pediatric care, families often benefit from more consistent, day-to-day guidance. Pediatric appointments are essential, and Huddle is designed to complement, not replace, your primary care provider. We all know what it feels like to worry and Google something at 3 a.m., or to leave an appointment and realize you forgot to ask a question.
HUDDLE was created for those in-between moments. We blend healthcare expertise with hands-on parenting guidance into one cohesive model, so families don’t have to choose between a nanny and a medical provider. Instead, they receive licensed, nurse-led care that addresses both the practical and clinical realities of early parenthood.
I’ve talked so many families through this phase over the years, but this felt like a way to step into the home and offer real-time, hands-on support when it matters most.
How do you find and vet professionals who enter your circle of care – the ones who will serve your families?
We are very intentional about who joins HUDDLE. Every professional is licensed, experienced in pediatrics or postpartum care, and aligned with our values of compassion and clinical excellence.
Beyond credentials and clinical experience, we look for individuals who are calm, emotionally intelligent, and relationship-oriented. Technical skill matters, but so does how someone makes a family feel at 2 a.m. during a hard night.
Our vetting process includes credential verification, interviews, reference checks, background checks, and drug screening. When we speak with professional references, we consistently hear that these are the kind of nurses people would want caring for their own baby.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about yourself or HUDDLE?
At the heart of HUDDLE is the belief that early parenthood deserves meaningful support. I genuinely love being a resource during this time, and I’m incredibly proud of the team we’re building.
My hope is that the families who choose to work with us feel confident, calm, and informed as they navigate life with a new baby. If we can reduce stress and build lasting trust along the way, that’s success to me.
And your contact details for our friends who want to reach out with questions?
We have an option on our website (huddlecare.co) to book a free discovery call, where I will personally go through any questions about our services. You can also email me directly at [email protected].
We’re excited to host a class for expectant parents this April. The three-part series will walk through pregnancy and delivery, breastfeeding, and early pediatric care. Sign-up details will be available on our website and social media when registration goes live.
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