Hi all! I’m McKayla, co-owner of Bountiful Doulas. Many of you know me from my years as a Postpartum Doula and Gentle Sleep Coach. In early 2023, I was privileged to become a Certified Postpartum Nutrition Professional through Postpartum University. I initially enrolled in the course to grow my understanding of postpartum nutrition for my clients but unexpectedly embarked on a journey of healing my own body, and changing my client's entire postpartum experience—her words, not mine!

Four years postpartum myself, and a trained postpartum doula, I didn’t realize until sitting in this class with Maranda Bower and Postpartum University that my struggles with ADHD, brain fog (aka Mom Brain), and fatigue were most likely linked to my past and current eating habits - apparently iced coffee isn't a full meal. Let's face it... Who REALLY manages to eat 3-5 balanced meals, and all their servings of fruits and vegetables daily while chasing after a toddler? Not this girl! However, after months of learning, and applying my new knowledge to my own life dramatically shifted my own physical and mental health. The mom brain has slowly disappeared, I'm getting full nights of sleep, and my body feels better than ever - allowing me to be a better mom.

A Nourishing Turnaround

My venture into postpartum nutrition began alongside my role as a sleep coach and doula, where I noticed the link between nutritional habits and the challenges my clients often faced. This realization deepened when I assisted a client suffering from what appeared to be Postpartum Depression. She was very fatigued, wasn’t bonding with her baby the way she’d hoped, was experiencing severe brain fog, and was very disappointed in her postpartum experience. One day we were chatting, and I asked when she last ate - she didn’t remember. I told her I was going to drop off some cookbooks, to pick several meals and snacks, and I would be back to cook them at my next overnight shift. That next shift I spent 10 hours cooking energy balls, bone broth, stews, egg muffins, and salmon—the kitchen smelled AMAZING. I left that morning exhausted but with a full heart, because I knew this mom would no longer skip a meal. She had things to pull out of her fridge and throw into the microwave or oven without having to think about it. When I came back after a few days of prioritizing nourishing foods and self-care, it transformed her completely. I walked into her smiling and holding her baby, telling me she felt like a brand new person. She thanked me a dozen times that evening, and I stayed up diving into more nutrition books while caring for her baby. I was hooked.

Expanding My Expertise

Motivated by this transformative experience, I deepened my expertise by enrolling in The Food Doula’s Perinatal Nutrition Expert program for another 16 weeks of intensive learning, with Lindsay Taylor as a mentor—nothing short of amazing. I continued to learn not just about what to eat in postpartum, but everything from pre-conception to what your baby should be eating in their first year of life.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to help countless families find peace during the delicate postpartum period. This journey has been filled with learning, growth, and connection with incredible parents and their little ones. As I now embrace my role full-time in perinatal nutrition, I aim to help parents thrive, not just survive their postpartum journey.

For those interested, I will offer personalized nutrition planning and coaching, meal plans, food delivery, and both daytime and overnight postpartum doula meal prepping shifts, as well as ongoing support through our community at Bountiful Doulas. I am so excited to continue exploring the healing power of food and creating a nourishing postpartum experience for every family who wants one.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the families I’ve guided through sleep coaching. Your trust and stories have shaped my path, and I look forward to continuing to support many of you in this new capacity.

Thank you for embracing this change with me. Here’s to new beginnings and our continued journey of supporting families in the most nourishing ways possible.

Last but not least, gentle and holistic sleep coaching is NOT going anywhere, while I might be done we’ve hired an amazing Certified Newborn Care Specialist and Gentle Sleep Coach to take my place—ensuring you get full nights of sleep AND healing meals with our team. We’re so excited to introduce her and know she’ll be able to support you all through virtual and in-person sleep support.

For now, I’ll be here supporting my Postpartum Doula Clients, and focusing on nutrition as I continue working on meal plans, cooking in clients' homes (or delivery), and sending out my new postpartum guide to help prepare you for your fourth trimester - there might even be a cookbook in the near-ish future.

Thanks for your support!

McKayla Broadhurst, CPPNP, CPNE