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formal education in nutrition/dietetics didn’t spend enough time on prenatal nutrition (and what was covered was likely outdated).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: There is no formal training to become a prenatal nutritionist that “checks all the boxes.”
Believe me, I looked long and hard for a program when I started out in this
field. None of the available options offer all of the following:
- A critical examination of the current standards vs. new research
- Information about nutrition for prevention/mitigation of pregnancy complications
- A focus on nutrient-density and real food sources of nutrients
- A program developed by a professional who is both a well-seasoned clinician and obsessed with research
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!
“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
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).
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
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
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-candidate, 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
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.
Taylor Fazio, MS, RD, CDN, 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
Honestly I gleaned so much from the IPN mentorship as my background is midwifery. While nutrition has always been important in my practice, I feel this program will up my game!
Amy Burgess APRN, CNM, SPN
Even after taking most of your WHNA courses, I learned so much! The content filled in the knowledge gaps I still had. I appreciate your practical and straightforward teaching style.
Julia Powers MS, CNS, LDN, SPN
The IPN program has an astounding amount of knowledge on prenatal nutrition — it will boost your practitioner confidence from competent to exceptional. This is a must-do!
Chelsea Leach, MS, RD, CSSD, SPN
Coming out of the IPN Mentorship, I 100% achieved my goals – I am more confident as a prenatal nutritionist, and I also have a network of like-minded practitioners that I can connect with if I have a question or a challenging case. I am so incredibly grateful for this program and could not recommend it enough!
Elizabeth Newton, RDN, SPN
No matter what your discipline, if you work with pregnancy or postpartum clients, as well as those trying to conceive, this mentorship will enrich both your knowledge and change your practice. This is the future of providing optimal care and support for pregnancy.
