The Institute for Prenatal NutritionⓇ Mentorship Program
is an 18-week comprehensive certification course in prenatal
nutrition designed for health practitioners.
Ready to up-level your knowledge of prenatal nutrition?
Chances are:
- You want to specialize in prenatal nutrition, but haven't found a comprehensive training.
- You have a background in nutrition already, but your formal education in nutrition/dietetics didn’t spend enough time on prenatal nutrition (and what was covered was likely outdated).
- You’re already seeing pregnant clients, but don't always feel confident that you know enough to guide them and answer all of their questions.
Here’s the thing: Many programs teach the basics of prenatal nutrition, but few prepare you to practice it at a high level.
To truly specialize in prenatal nutrition, you need the clinical skills to navigate complex cases, interpret emerging research, and make confident, individualized recommendations, including:
- Interpreting prenatal labs and identifying nutrition-related red flags
- Managing complex cases, including gestational diabetes, anemia, thyroid disorders, hypertensive disorders, nausea, food aversions, twin pregnancies, postpartum challenges, and more
- Individualizing macronutrient and micronutrient recommendations based on the client, not generic pregnancy guidelines
- Critically evaluating research so you can separate strong evidence from weak or misleading conclusions
- Applying the evidence in real clinical scenarios, including case studies and nuanced decision-making
- Understanding how preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum nutrition connect across the full continuum of care
- Communicating recommendations clearly and confidently with both clients and other healthcare providers
- Receiving mentorship by an experienced clinician who understands the realities of practice and rigorously examines the research behind every recommendation
This is why The Institute for Prenatal NutritionⓇ(IPN) was founded.
Hi, I’m Lily Nichols
As a registered dietitian/nutritionist and diabetes educator with an extensive background in preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition, I founded IPN to help other practitioners up-level their knowledge of perinatal nutrition.
As the author of the number one best-selling book on prenatal nutrition, Real Food for Pregnancy, I know that your clients are expecting more from you.
The challenge with becoming a prenatal nutritionist is knowing where to look for accurate, evidence-based information.
My formal training as a registered dietitian did not prepare me for the work I do today. The single class I took on Lifecycle Nutrition during my university studies had only a brief lesson on pregnancy nutrition — and most of that information, I have come to learn, was flat-out wrong. My dietetic internship was heavy on the clinical side, but only included a short rotation on the maternity ward.
Once I was practicing as a dietitian, it felt like I was “thrown into the ring” blind and had to use my own time to level-up my knowledge to best serve my pregnant clients. I have now devoted my career to sharing what I have learned about prenatal nutrition from my decades of consulting, research, client work, writing, teaching, and advising on prenatal public policy (and, of course, with some personal insight from my own two pregnancies).
When I was new to this field, I remember searching high and low for things like:
- How can I become a certified prenatal nutritionist?
- Is there a prenatal nutrition certification course, advanced training in prenatal nutrition, or a prenatal nutritionist mentorship program?
- Who is really an expert in prenatal nutrition, not just someone who repeats the same ol’ outdated guidelines? How can I find them and learn from them?
- Where can I find reliable, evidence-based information about nutrition for pregnancy?
The Institute for Prenatal Nutrition® Mentorship Program is the training I wish I had available when I started out in prenatal nutrition. It could have saved me years of work and a lot of overwhelm.
There is a growing demand for well-trained prenatal nutritionists.
Did you know?
- It takes 17 years for new research to make it into clinical practice (and even longer for those changes to be reflected in policy)
- 47% of U.S. women of childbearing age are deficient in at least one micronutrient
- 67% of U.S. pregnant women are not consuming optimal amounts of protein
- New research has revealed that the RDA for a number of nutrients is an underestimate of the true requirement for pregnancy
We can do better for our pregnant clients. They’re literally counting on you — and so is the next generation.
Better prenatal nutrition can influence not only a mother’s health, but her child’s lifelong risk of disease and metabolic dysfunction.
Who is the IPN Mentorship for?
The IPN Mentorship is for health practitioners who are looking for a comprehensive, research-backed course in prenatal nutrition. This mentorship is for professionals who already have a science and nutrition background, such as dietitians and nutritionists, doctors, midwives, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and other licensed professionals.
If you are ready to increase your confidence in working with pregnant women, provide evidence based recommendations, and learn from an expert in the field alongside other passionate practitioners, then this is for you!
“IPN helped me solidify my knowledge and build the confidence to guide clients through the entire preconception to postpartum experience, particularly with more complex cases.”
— Amanda Queen, PA-C, SPN
“Before IPN, I wasn’t working a lot in the prenatal space. Now it is my main focus area. IPN helped me feel very clear on how to help them, what to prioritize, and to feel confident in my recommendations.”
— Tara Black, BHSc, SPN
“I was already working with pregnant clients before IPN. This course has helped me guide meal suggestions that prioritize nutrients important for pregnancy, especially for different diagnoses such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, thyroid conditions, and more.”
— Katie Salmon, MS, RDN, CDN, SPN
“I feel much more confident working with my GDM patients. I find myself talking about much more than just blood sugars and food. I’m asking about supplements, electrolytes, and specific micronutrients.”
– Julie Campbell, MS, RDN, CDCES, SPN
Become a Specialist in Prenatal Nutrition and change the face of the pregnancy nutrition field!
View our curriculum page to see what’s included in the Institute for Prenatal NutritionⓇ Mentorship Program to become a Specialist in Prenatal Nutrition (SPN).
I have a PhD and clinical experience working with pregnant women and yet I learned SO MUCH from this program. Now I fully feel confident calling myself a “Specialist in Prenatal Nutrition”.
Karen Lindsay, PhD, RDN, SPN, NBC-HWC
IPN didn’t just teach me what to know—it taught me how to think through cases, work with clients, and apply nutrition principles effectively. The hands-on assignments, case studies, and practical tools helped bridge the gap between theory and practice in a way that few programs do.
Kendall Massa, MSNP, SPN
The IPN program exceeded my expectations in every way. Prior to enrolling I had already read all of Lily’s books and was concerned that I wouldn’t gain enough from the program to make it worth it, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised by how much additional knowledge I was able to acquire in such a short time. I felt that the curriculum was extremely comprehensive and I feel more competent and confident.
Casey Rovetti, MS, RDN, SPN, IBCLC
As a board certified Ob/gyn in practice for 10 years, I learned a wealth of knowledge that was never introduced to me in medical school, four years of residency and even current practice. Lily’s IPN course should be a prerequisite for anyone practicing medicine.
Brittany Stam, MD, SPN
IPN exceeded my expectations! I learned so much evidence-based information and Lily was there every step of the way to help us gain clarity and apply this information in a practical setting. The only regret I have is not signing up for this course earlier. I am excited to take this knowledge with me to help better nourish my future clients!
Reva Peyser, MS, RD, CDN
IPN has been a valuable investment that has changed my prenatal nutrition care and improved my patient outcomes. The information is in-depth and complex enough for clinical learning but also presented in a way where it is applicable to patient care!
Rachel Hutto, MS, RD, LD, SPN
I loved the combination of evidence-based education, personalized feedback from Lily and other practitioners, and the breakout rooms/case studies, which made the learning experience feel collaborative, supportive, and directly relevant to clinical practice.
Ali Simkins, MS, RD, CDN, LDN, SPN
I have been a midwife for many, many years, with a focus in nutrition. After completing the mentoring program, my depth of knowledge and understanding increased so much and my ability to help guide clients to refine eating choices has made a big difference in meeting the macro and micronutrient requirements for a healthy pregnancy.
Jacqueline Rowan, LDM, SPN
Joining the IPN program has been one of the most valuable professional experiences I’ve had. I appreciated the depth and nuance provided. What stood out most was the supportive atmosphere and the chance to ask anything in the Q&A calls. I’d absolutely recommend this program to any practitioner working with women in the perinatal period.
Tea Štefanac, PhD, SPN
Even with a masters in nutrition, NOTHING in my program comes even close to the depth of pregnancy nutrition information provided in IPN. You will not find a more detailed, comprehensive, specialized program out there! Having direct access to Lily is SO invaluable and the knowledge gained from peers throughout the program is a huge added bonus! I cannot say enough amazing things about this experience.
Tessa Florio, MS, CNS, LDN, SPN
This mentorship exceeded my expectations. I’ve learned so much, and gained so much clarity in how to approach and handle client situations. I really appreciate how thorough each class was and the detail that went into the content — I gained so much knowledge from this detail, the research, and the time that went into each topic.
Daniela Tyrrell, MS, CNS, CDN, SPN
The education I received from IPN has been invaluable. The course content is thorough, in-depth, and provides practical information. Lily is a great teacher and was always available to answer questions. I highly recommend IPN!
Julie Campbell, MS, RDN, CDCES, SPN
I had high expectations since I have been following Lily for a long time and love all of her work, but IPN really exceeded my expectations. Lily’s ability to structure the content in a clear, accessible, and highly engaging way made the learning process seamless and extremely enjoyable. The depth and thoroughness of the training and everything I’ve learnt with her have completely transformed my nutrition practice,
Beatriz Mendez del Rio, MS, NTP, SPN
IPN has truly been instrumental in enhancing my level of care and support for my pregnant and postpartum clients, and it has given me the confidence to take on more complex client cases that I may have not been comfortable with previously. What Lily has created is so unique and incredibly invaluable, and I feel so honored to be a part of the inaugural class.
Carey Sherman, MS, SPN
Enrolling in the Institute of Prenatal Nutrition’s program has been a transformative experience for my clinical practice. The program significantly expanded my knowledge and clinical skills, preparing me comprehensively for nutrition management across the entire perinatal period.
Teresa Romano, MS, RD/LDN, CEDRD, SPN
If you love Lily’s books and crave MORE information, this is IT. Not only did it provide even more incredible information, but helped me feel more qualified as a practitioner. I felt “at home” in the mentorship, learning alongside likeminded individuals.
Kennedy Youngren, MS, RDN, LD, SPN
The course was amazing. Lily’s in-depth knowledge, research focused content, and vast clinical experience was truly appreciated. She drew on the research and her clinical knowledge to answer all of our questions comprehensively. Not only did I learn a lot from Lily, but also the other course members with their insightful questions.
Yvonne Parker, PGDip, MSc, MBA, ANutr, SPN
Because of this course I have more tools, resources, and insight to better assist all of my clients in their nutritional needs and overall well-being. So far, this is the best investment choice I have made in my career as a midwife, doula, and fertility therapist.
Shauna Jenson, Midwife, Doula, CMT, SPN
What a wealth of information! I absolutely LOVED this program. Overall, the information was organized well, which made it approachable and less overwhelming to take in. This mentorship builds the perfect foundation for a practitioner in the prenatal nutrition space. The dynamic conversations that occurred were invaluable. I cannot recommend this program enough.
Katie Salmon MS, RDN, CDN, SPN
IPN has been one of the most transformative learning experiences since completing grad school for nutrition. The curriculum is exceptionally comprehensive, rich in research, and filled with valuable case studies. The blend of academic rigor and practical application offered by IPN is truly unique, making it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to specialize in prenatal nutrition. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
