Danielle McLellan-Bujnak, MSc, PMH-C, IMH-E®, ICPD, IFEC-ATMHP
- Perinatal Mental Health Certified Professional (Postpartum Support International)
- Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Practitioner Endorsements
- ICEA Certified Postpartum Doula (ICPD)
- College Instructor in Child Development & Early Childhood Education
- Experience: 20+ years supporting infants and children and their families
Why families seek support
Pressures & Stresses
The transition to welcoming a baby is one of the most profound developmental shifts a family experiences. In addition to excitement and joy, families are carrying sleep disruption, emotional overwhelm, limited support, and the pressure to do everything “right.”
Planning ahead:
Some families reach out during preconception or pregnancy to create a thoughtful plan before the baby arrives. This is the foundational starting point of the Steady Start model.
When things feel overwhelming:
Other families seek support after birth, when exhaustion, anxiety, relationship strain, or a difficult start make it clear that more support is needed.
Both pathways belong here
The Steady Start discovery call was created to offer a thoughtful first conversation before families commit to any service, so they can feel clearer about what kind of support would actually be helpful.
A prevention-oriented perinatal support model
The Steady Start Protection Framework is a prevention-oriented perinatal support model designed to strengthen the foundations that help families remain steady during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
The framework draws on principles from infant mental health, developmental science, and years of direct experience supporting families during the earliest stages of parenthood.
At the center of the framework is a simple idea: when families protect sleep, monitor emotional wellbeing, strengthen support systems, and know what to do when challenges intensify, they are far more likely to experience a supported transition into parenthood.
Planning for Protection
Consultations & Check-Ins
Consultations & Check-Ins
The primary entry point for families preparing for pregnancy or welcoming a baby. Every new family begins with a brief discovery call so Danielle can learn about your situation, timing, and whether Steady Start is the right fit.
This consultation is the best starting point for families who want proactive, prevention-oriented support before stress becomes overwhelming.
Consultations & Check-Ins
Consultations & Check-Ins
Consultations & Check-Ins
Two sessions: intake (groundwork) + planning (design)
Personalized perinatal mental health protection plan
Mapping your support networks
Sleep and mental health planning
Follow-up: Steady Check-Ins
Brief follow-up consultations for monitoring adjustment, refining support plans, and responding early when stress is increasing
Steady Support Consultation
Postpartum sleep support: Nightlight Overnight Care
Postpartum sleep support: Nightlight Overnight Care
A targeted entry point offering in-depth support for families navigating sleep disruption, overwhelm, sibling transition, or another specific early parenting challenge. Every new family begins with a brief discovery call so Danielle can learn about your situation, timing, and whether Steady Start is the right fit.
This consultation is the best starting point for families who want tailored support for a specified issue.
Postpartum sleep support: Nightlight Overnight Care
Postpartum sleep support: Nightlight Overnight Care
Postpartum sleep support: Nightlight Overnight Care
Sleep-protection support during the early months postpartum, designed to help families stabilize routines and protect parental recovery. Every new family begins with a brief discovery call so Danielle can learn about your situation, timing, and whether Steady Start is the right fit.
This option is the best starting point for families who know they want to get more sleep than they are currently getting.
Some journeys are more complex from the beginning.
Steady Start is designed to offer flexibility when families’ experiences call for additional support
Steady Start is designed to offer flexibility when families’ experiences call for additional support
Steady Start is designed to offer flexibility when families’ experiences call for additional support
Examples of specialized support:
- After a hard start: NICU or medical complexity
- Support for parents of multiples
- Perinatal separation pathways (surrogacy/adoption)
- Sibling adjustment and family transition
Schedule a discovery call to find out if Steady Start can help support a better outcome for your family
Healthcare professionals
Steady Start is designed to offer flexibility when families’ experiences call for additional support
Steady Start is designed to offer flexibility when families’ experiences call for additional support
Steady Start partners with perinatal mental health providers, obstetric teams, midwives, lactation consultants, and infant care specialists. The model is designed to complement and support — not replace — medical or mental health care.
Danielle frequently collaborates with obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, therapists, and other members of a family’s care team when the family decides that coordinated support would be beneficial.
Check out our resources for referring providers:
Not sure where to begin?
THE DISCOVERY CALL IS YOUR BEST FIRST STEP
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
It offers a brief, thoughtful conversation before any consultation is booked.
Whether you are planning ahead or reaching out because things feel overwhelming, you are welcome here.
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
Discovery calls allow families to briefly discuss their situation and determine whether Steady Start support would be helpful.
Start with a discovery call. Families do not book or pay for any planning or services before first speaking with Danielle about fit, needs, and timing.
WHAT TO EXPECT In Your Discovery Call
THIS FIRST STEP IS DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM, CLEAR, AND LOW-PRESSURE
WHAT TO EXPECT In Your Discovery Call
A brief 15-minute conversation to talk about your situation, ask questions, and decide whether Steady Start support would be helpful
REMOTE CONSULTS AND VIRTUAL SUPPORT
AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
PLEASE NOTE THAT STEADY START CONSULTATIONS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORTIVE PLANNING
THEY DO NOT REPLACE MEDICAL CARE, PSYCHOTHERAPY, OR CLINICAL TREATMENT, AND CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE COMPLEMENT SUPPORTING THOSE TREATMENT MODALITIES