Emily Hartwell
I spent three years in the NICU at Oregon Health & Science University helping premature babies thrive on specialized formula. Then I had my own daughter, sat on my kitchen floor at 2:47 AM crying over an empty can, and realized the tools I needed didn't exist. So I built them.
When I'm not analyzing nutrition labels or debugging JavaScript at midnight, I'm hiking Forest Park trails in Portland with my husband Mark, our daughter Lily (who is now two and throws bananas at the dog), and our two very judgmental cats named Mochi and Bean.
🎓 Education
B.S. Nutrition Science
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Focus on pediatric and clinical nutrition.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Credential active and in good standing.
💼 Professional Experience
NICU Clinical Dietitian
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland. Specialized in premature infant nutrition, parenteral and enteral feeding protocols, and formula selection for medically fragile newborns.
Pediatric Outpatient Nutrition Counselor
Private practice and Portland-area pediatric clinics. Counseling families on formula selection, feeding schedules, allergy management, and growth concerns.
Founder, Baby Formula Tool
Building free, private tools to help parents navigate infant formula feeding without the 3 AM panic.
Why I Built This
"I had a master's degree in nutrition science and three years of NICU experience. I knew the textbooks inside out. But at 2:47 AM with an empty formula can and a screaming baby, none of that mattered. I needed a calculator that worked at 2:47 AM. I needed a log that didn't judge me. I needed someone to say 'you're not failing, you're just tired.' So I built all three."
— Emily, at her kitchen table in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Hikes Forest Park trails weekly. Bakes banana bread that Lily usually throws on the floor.
Family
Married to Mark since 2018. Daughter Lily, born at 36 weeks, now 2 years old and says "NO" with alarming frequency. Two cats: Mochi and Bean.
When Not Working
Drinking too much coffee. Reading nutrition research for fun. Trying to convince Lily that vegetables are not the enemy. Failing at the last one.
Professional Note: While I am a Registered Dietitian with NICU experience, this website provides general information and tools, not personalized medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician for specific feeding concerns, especially for premature infants, babies with medical conditions, or suspected allergies. The tools on this site are designed to support — not replace — professional care.