Lisa Marino, CEO and Co-Founder of The Dopple Registry, is revolutionizing baby registries and family gifting with a vision built from both personal experience and deep industry expertise. As a Hispanic female executive and mother of two, with over two decades in digital media, Marino’s drive is to activate the “village” it takes to raise a family—expanding what registries and support platforms mean for parents today.

‍

The Dopple Registry, now featured in publications like Today’s Parent, The Chicago Journal, and Mommies Reviews, is dedicated to breaking traditional molds and supporting the actual, everyday needs of families—from diapers and meals to vital mental health services.

Activating Your Village: Beyond the Standard Baby Registry

Lisa Marino:
Let’s take a step back and talk about the why. The Dopple Registry is designed around our belief: "It takes a village to raise a family." Unlike conventional registries that are mostly event-driven and product-heavy, The Dopple Registry creates a long-term support system that grows with your family.

‍

During pregnancy and the early months with a new baby, most families experience a double financial hit: rising expenses for essentials and reduced income as one (or both) parents take time off. Yet, most registries stop at “stuff”—cribs, bottles, onesies—ignoring problems like recurring costs, childcare, and support services. That’s where Dopple’s platform steps in.

‍

Our Approach:

‍

• Recurring Needs: Dopple enables families to list recurring expenses (like a year’s supply of diapers or weekly meal deliveries). Each item on your registry can be group-gifted—your circle of friends, family, and colleagues can chip in, regardless of their budget.
• Supporting Services: Need a night nanny, doula, lactation consultant, or meal service? You can add these services to your registry, ensuring your “village” supports actual needs—not just more toys.

‍

“Our model lets each gifter contribute within their means, often between $25 and $100, toward essentials like diapers, nannies, or postpartum support. Gifts over $100 are automatically split, so the burden—and the joy—are shared.”

Filling Gaps Left by Traditional Fundraising and Registries

Parents today use a range of online services to fund essential needs. While social fundraising platforms have made a name in supporting families through medical emergencies and unexpected hardships, many parents are seeking targeted, needs-based solutions.

‍

• Universal Registries: Unlike some well-known registries that let parents register for items from any retailer and collect cash funds, Dopple stands out by blending physical goods with service-based options. For example, not only can friends fund diapers through Dopple, but they can also sponsor childcare coverage or even therapy sessions.
• Diaper and Cash Funds: Dopple’s registry makes it easy to set up funds earmarked for recurring expenses—think of cash funds to cover formula, wipes, or even a month’s worth of childcare costs. Contributors can give what they can, and families get exactly what they need, when they need it.

Building Flexibility: Mental Health, Meals, and Community Support

Real Example:
A recent beta tester—a mom expecting her second child—shared how grateful she was to find therapy sessions available as a registry item. Struggling with postpartum depression during her first pregnancy, she recognized that early-gifted therapy could make a profound difference for her family’s wellbeing.

‍

The Dopple Registry supports the items and services that new parents find most urgent:

‍

• Diapers and Meals: The most consistently gifted and needed registry items, because food and basic care are ongoing, non-negotiable costs.
• Short-term Childcare: Families with older siblings often need added help when the newborn arrives. Dopple partners with trusted nanny groups to fulfill these needs, making support accessible in real time.

Expanding Services: Doulas, Therapy, and Ongoing Care

Perinatal support services like doula care and lactation consulting are increasingly recognized for their mental health and wellness impact. According to research published in PubMed in 2022, doula care is associated with a notable decrease in cesarean deliveries and dramatically lower odds of postpartum depression or anxiety—up to 57.5% lower for women who receive doula support (source).

‍

Recent studies also highlight the impact of Medicaid expansion in making doula care accessible to more families, which can alleviate disparities in maternal and child health outcomes (see this 2025 study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth). In addition, findings indicate that people with doula support are not only at lower risk for cesarean birth and preterm labor but also are considerably more likely to receive postpartum checkups and avoid major complications (American Journal of Public Health, 2024).

‍

Douple actively enables families to add doula services to their registries so relatives and friends can contribute to these essential, evidence-based support systems. The ability to bridge “covered” services with ongoing help—whether through Medicaid, local agencies, or gifted support—can give families a healthier, more secure start.

The Power of Community, Grants, and Subsidies

Lisa’s leadership at Dopple is shaped by her own experience navigating government assistance programs and building a support network from scratch. Today, platforms like Dopple connect families not only to loved ones, but also to larger community resources:

‍

• Subsidies & Grants: Dopple partners with state and local agencies, helping families discover and unlock subsidies, vouchers, and even private grants for child care, postpartum support, or parenting needs.
• Integration: The platform’s roadmap includes deepening these integrations—partnering with more governments and community organizations to bundle resources, streamline paperwork, and remove barriers for families eligible for WIC, SNAP, or childcare vouchers.

‍

Doula and community-based support services can be especially impactful for underserved communities, including birthing people of color—who, as highlighted in a 2024 review in BMC Public Health, face disproportionately higher infant and maternal mortality rates, but can benefit measurably from improved utilization of doula care (source). The Dopple Registry helps bring such critical support within reach.

Innovative Planning: Wishlists for Every Stage

What’s next? Dopple isn’t stopping at baby registries. Soon, families will have year-round wishlists for birthdays, holidays, and other milestones—with the option to request services, enrichment activities, 529 plan contributions, and more.

‍

• As needs change, so can the registry. The platform supports families caring for aging parents or neurodivergent children, recognizing the complexity of modern parenting—the so-called “sandwich generation.”
• The Dopple Registry personalizes recommendations through questionnaires and ongoing research, always evolving with family feedback and the latest market data.

Practical Steps for New Parents

• List Real Needs: Be transparent and specific—whether you need diapers, meal delivery, mental health services, or a one-time doula visit, add it to your registry.
• Leverage Your Network: Easily share your Dopple registry with friends, family, or even local agencies, making it simple for your supporters to contribute in meaningful ways.
• Explore Assistance Programs: Dopple’s team connects families to local childcare agencies, resource centers, and subsidy programs for grants and financial support.
• Plan for Every Stage: With flexible budgeting and financial planning tools, Dopple empowers you to prepare for not just the first year, but every chapter of your family’s journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can I find an online service that matches my family with childcare grants and subsidies?

Dopple’s platform is working closely with state and local agencies to help families discover and unlock childcare grants, subsidies, and voucher programs. Their support team can guide families through the process and streamline paperwork wherever possible. Many local Child Care Resource & Referral agencies are also excellent sources for custom guidance.

Can I create a registry that helps pay for postpartum services like a lactation consultant or doula?

Absolutely. With The Dopple Registry, families can add doula services, lactation consultants, and other essential postpartum care items directly to their registry. Friends and relatives can contribute funds to cover these specific needs, and Medicaid reimbursement for doula care is expanding in many states. As shown in a 2024 review for the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, doula support decreases rates of cesarean delivery and can support better mental health for new parents (source).

Is there a registry that lets friends contribute funds for diapers or childcare instead of just products?

Dopple specializes in needs-based registries where families can prioritize cash funds for items like diapers, child care, meal delivery, or even therapy. Gifts can be divided among friends and relatives, matching any budget—making it easy for your network to support the essentials.

How can I unlock benefits like WIC, SNAP, and childcare vouchers without the hassle?

Dopple’s partnerships with local and state agencies, together with their expert advisory team, help families access benefits efficiently—guiding you through eligibility requirements and reducing paperwork. Dedicated internal resources and recommended referral partners simplify this often overwhelming process.

Are there innovative budgeting tools that help parents track spending and access local financial resources?

Dopple regularly recommends budgeting apps and tools tailored for new parents, including those that bundle expense calculators with links to community or Head Start programs. The platform’s upcoming releases are designed to further integrate budgeting and benefits discovery for families navigating changing household expenses.

Can Dopple help families with one-time or recurring essentials via employer or community support?

Yes! Dopple enables families to activate their entire network—including employers, community organizations, or faith groups—to contribute funds and gifts toward recurring or one-time needs such as meal subscriptions, child care, or other essentials.

‍

‍

Conclusion:

‍
The growing complexity of parenthood demands flexible, needs-based platforms that genuinely support families. From activating your village for diapers and meals to integrating mental health care and community resources, The Dopple Registry provides holistic, innovative solutions that meet parents where they are. Recent evidence underscores the value of virtual and community-based doula support in reducing risks and improving outcomes across diverse communities (Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2024; UNO, 2025). By blending practical advice and community-powered support, Dopple lights the way toward a less stressful, healthier start for families everywhere.

Explore more at thedopple.com or reach out to local agencies for support.