On this month's Meet the Mom, we welcome Carley Mendes. Carley is a holistic nutritionist and childbirth educator who specializes in nourishing fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. She’s the founder of Oh Baby School of Holistic Nutrition, an online learning platform that certifies practitioners in maternal and infant nutrition.

Her unique approach blends traditional wisdom with modern science to help families feel informed and empowered during some of the most transformative stages of life. Oat Mama founder, Eliza Larson, is wrapping up the Postpartum Nutrition course and cannot say enough good things about this amazing program! Let's get into the interview.

Can you tell us a little about your journey into holistic nutrition and what led you to specialize in the perinatal stage of life?

My mother always spoke so highly of pregnancy and really revered it as a sacred, powerful time in a woman’s life. That planted a seed in me early on. My journey into holistic nutrition began with a deep personal curiosity about how food impacts our health. As I pursued a career in nutrition, I was shocked by how conflicting and fear-based the information around pregnancy and postpartum often was. I knew how profoundly nutrition could support both mother and baby, but truly holistic, trustworthy education on this life stage was so hard to find. That gap pulled me in. I knew this was the work I wanted to dedicate myself to.

"Once I allowed myself to imagine what it could be, the vision became clear and I knew I had to build the kind of school I had once wished for myself."

What was the moment or experience that inspired you to create the Oh Baby School of Holistic Nutrition?

The idea really started with my husband. He kept hearing me say how much more support was needed in this space, and that there were so many passionate people wanting to specialize in maternal and infant health, but no formal training existed. One day, he simply said, “Why don’t you create it?”

At first, it felt like such a big idea… too big, honestly. But I couldn’t shake it! The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I already had years of experience, a successful practice, and a deep understanding of the gaps in the industry. Once I allowed myself to imagine what it could be, the vision became clear and I knew I had to build the kind of school I had once wished for myself.

Before founding Oh Baby, what was your background? Were you always drawn to health and wellness?

I’ve been in this field for quite a while. I became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in 2007 through a general program that covered a wide range of topics, but it didn’t go deep into pregnancy, postpartum, or infant health. That missing piece led me to seek out my own additional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience. The information I’d acquired throughout my career was truly eye-opening, and starkly different from the conventional nutrition information being offered. Over time, the practice I built to support and nourish mothers and babies began growing and I eventually became internationally recognized for my work.

It’s grown into something I never could’ve imagined, and it all stemmed from a desire to fill the gaps I saw firsthand.

"Becoming a mother changed everything. It made the work more personal, more tender, and more real."

How did becoming a mother yourself shape or shift your approach to nutrition and wellness?

Becoming a mother changed everything. It made the work more personal, more tender, and more real. I came to understand, in a whole new way, how deeply mothers need support. Not just information, but nourishment, community, and compassion.

To be honest, I felt amazing during my first pregnancy and embarrassingly assumed it was because I knew so much. My first was also an adventurous eater, which only reinforced that belief. Then came my second and she completely humbled me. I had hyperemesis and was sick the entire pregnancy. She also turned out to be a much pickier eater.

Having both experiences gave me perspective and reminded me that we don’t get to control everything. It deepened my empathy and made me a better practitioner, educator, and mother.

What do you think is the biggest myth or misconception when it comes to nutrition for new moms or babies?

Maybe it’s less of a myth and more of a widespread lack of understanding around just how much postpartum nutrition matters. So much attention is placed on pregnancy, but once the baby arrives, the mother often disappears from the conversation.

Yet the need for many nutrients is actually higher during postpartum compared to pregnancy, and many women become depleted in this stage. Supporting recovery is essential for a mother’s own well-being and her ability to care for her baby.

"So I wish more postpartum women knew: you deserve care, too. You’re not supposed to do it all on your own."

What’s something you wish more women knew about nutrition during pregnancy or postpartum?

I see so many mothers burdened with guilt for not eating “perfectly,” for relying on convenience foods, or for feeling too overwhelmed to cook. But the truth is, they’re not failing — they’re being failed. New mothers need real, consistent support. Their sole focus should be to care for their baby, and nourishing the mother after birth is something that used to be held by a village.

So I wish more postpartum women knew: you deserve care, too. You’re not supposed to do it all on your own.

What was the biggest challenge in building the Oh Baby School from the ground up, and how did you push through it?

I really dove in without fully grasping what I was getting myself into. I often say that if I had known how much it would require, I might not have had the guts to go for it. At the time, I had a beautiful work-life balance. I was working with families one-on-one, writing for publications, consulting for businesses, and I was able to do it all from home with my babies.

But once the school launched, everything shifted. It demanded so much of my time and energy. I had to hire help and step away from being the primary parent — a role my husband took on during that season. I kept going because I knew how needed this was in the world. But I still feel the rupture that came with that shift. Oof… that still stings to admit. It was a sacrifice I made because I believed so deeply in the mission, and I’m proud of what we’ve built. But it came with very real trade-offs, especially as a mother. 

"This isn’t just a school, it’s a movement with a mission that I couldn’t be more proud of."

Can you share a moment that made you feel especially proud of what you’ve created?

The fact that we now have graduates in 55 countries absolutely blows me away. It’s surreal to think about the global ripple effect. Families being nourished and supported by practitioners who came through our programs, all over the world.

This isn’t just a school, it’s a movement with a mission that I couldn’t be more proud of.

You offer certificates in Fertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Baby nutrition. Why was it important to you to cover all of those areas?

Because they’re all deeply interconnected. They’re part of the same sacred continuum, each one building on the next. I always say that how well nourished you are preconception can significantly impact your pregnancy, which can then profoundly influence your postpartum experience, and even your baby’s long-term health.

Students can enroll in any of our certification courses individually or in any combination, but our most popular option is the Mater II Program, which includes all four. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much our students value understanding the full journey.

Is there a particular lesson or piece of wisdom you learned after becoming a parent that you wish you had known earlier?

Such a great question! On the very first call we have with each new cohort, I always let them know that they’ll likely come across information they wish they’d known sooner. Maybe something they now wish they did differently during their own pregnancy, or when starting solids with their baby.

I always tell them that we’re all doing the best we can with the information we have at the time. That’s not something to feel guilty about, it’s something to honor. You can’t go back, and you’re not meant to. Gaining wisdom through lived experience is one of the most magical (and sometimes humbling) parts of life. 

"I’m still completely obsessed with little babies, but honestly… this stage might be my favorite so far."

How do you personally find balance between motherhood, work, and self-care — or is that even possible?

I’m in a very different season now. My kids are 11 and 9 years old. They have their own little lives at school and with friends, but they’re still young enough that I’m a deeply present anchor in their world. This stage has created more space for me to pour into myself again. For so long, my career has centered around babies, and I didn’t really anticipate what this next chapter of motherhood would feel like. But its unfolding has been so beautiful. 

I’m still completely obsessed with little babies, but honestly… this stage might be my favorite so far.

What are three things you are loving lately?

My son, my daughter, and my husband. Forever and always.