Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Melendez.
Hi Angelica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, I’m Angelica Melendez. I’m a Newborn Care Specialist and Postpartum Doula originally from Venezuela, now based in Austin, Texas. Helping new families navigate those first weeks with their baby isn’t just my career, it’s something I genuinely love. Looking back, my journey started long before I even knew this profession existed.
Back home in Venezuela, I was studying to become a Nutritionist and Dietitian, and I had the opportunity to do my professional practice in a maternity hospital. I loved being part of such an important and vulnerable time in a family’s life, but I never imagined that experience would eventually lead me to my career in newborn and postpartum care.
Five years ago, I moved to the United States by myself. I started working as a live in nanny in Florida, caring for a toddler and a baby while working six days a week. I lived with the family, slept in the baby’s room, and was responsible for childcare, cooking, and cleaning. It was a demanding job, but it taught me so much about responsibility, discipline, attention to detail, and adapting to a completely different culture and way of life.
It was also a multilingual household. Mom spoke Russian to the children, Dad spoke Mandarin, and I spoke Spanish. When I arrived, I only spoke Spanish. We lived in an area known as “Little Moscow,” and I would go to the park twice a day with the children, where most of the people around us spoke Russian. Little by little, without even realizing it, I started understanding words and learning simple phrases so I could communicate. I always laugh thinking about it because I moved to the U.S. speaking only Spanish, and somehow Russian became one of the first languages I was picking up along the way!
Those trips to the park also ended up being the beginning of my networking journey. I loved talking to people, meeting other nannies, and learning from different families. I built relationships without even realizing I was building a professional network.
I stayed with my first family for a year, and I will always be grateful for that experience. It was challenging, but it pushed me to grow. During that time, I started learning English online and completed my first CPR and First Aid certification.
There were also little moments that reminded me how different my life had become. I went from not being able to afford to go to the beach back home to living somewhere with beautiful views of the ocean.
After that first year, I started with another family where I was able to work fewer hours and earn more, while also continuing to work with other families I had met through the park on weekends. My nanny journey has always been incredibly important to me. I’ve had the opportunity to work with families from many different countries and cultures, and every family has taught me something.
Eventually, through conversations at the park, I discovered the role of a Newborn Care Specialist. Within two weeks of learning that this career existed, I enrolled in my first certification course. I immediately knew I had found something I wanted to pursue. Taking care of a newborn is a huge responsibility, so I wanted to make sure I was truly prepared.
The transition was intense. Since giving two weeks’ notice isn’t really a thing in the nanny world, I worked overnight as a Newborn Care Specialist while continuing to work during the day as a part time nanny. At one point, I was working close to 100 hours a week while making the transition. It was exhausting, but I was determined.
Since then, I’ve continued investing in my education and expanding the ways I can support families, including becoming a certified Postpartum Doula. What I love most about this career is knowing that I can make a real difference during those first days after a baby arrives.
I moved to Austin last year, and I’ve been incredibly grateful for how welcoming the families and perinatal community have been. I’ve found a community that is generous with its knowledge, support, and genuine willingness to help others grow.
Something that I really value about this work is the relationships I build with families. Every baby I’ve cared for holds a special place in my heart. One of the greatest compliments I receive is when families continue to stay in touch long after my contract ends. Getting to watch those babies grow, celebrate their milestones, and remain connected with the families I’ve supported is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
When I look back, I realize that every part of my journey prepared me for where I am today. From studying nutrition in Venezuela, becoming a nanny, learning new languages and cultures, building relationships at the park, and eventually discovering newborn care, none of it happened exactly as I planned. But every experience helped shape the person and professional I am today, and ultimately led me to a career that I truly love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the hardest parts for me has been leaving my family behind in Venezuela. Being far from them has made me appreciate my time with them even more, and it has also motivated me to build a stable life and career here.
The work itself can also be physically demanding, especially working overnight. In the beginning, I noticed it affected my body, and it made me realize how important it is to find a healthy balance between work and rest.
Over time, I’ve found a much better balance. I really value my weekends off, make sure I take proper breaks between contracts, and prioritize self care. I’ve learned that I need to take care of myself so I can have the energy, patience, and presence to give families the best support possible. Being healthy and well is now one of my priorities because I know I need to be at my best to help others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mami Helper?
I’m a Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Specialist, and I provide personalized daytime and overnight care during the first days and weeks after a baby arrives. I help with newborn care, education, feedings, routines, and emotional support for parents. Every family needs something different, so I adapt my care to their needs and goals.
One of the things I’m most proud of is helping families establish healthy sleep habits through gentle techniques and routines. I’m very realistic about sleep. Every baby is different, and we’re all human, so I never promise perfect sleep. But I am proud of the progress my families have made, including babies sleeping through the night around eight weeks and babies achieving a “100 sleep score.” I create a personalized sleep guide for each family to continue using after our contract ends and remain available if they need guidance later.
I believe in doing a little extra whenever I can. If I have time, I’m happy to help with a few extra dishes, organize the nursery, pick up toys from an older sibling, or help with family laundry. Those little things can make a big difference after a long day or night. That idea is actually part of where the name Mami Helper came from. I want families to feel like they have someone there to help make those early days easier.
Ultimately, what matters most to me is that when I leave a family, they feel rested, more confident, and better prepared than when I arrived.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m definitely the kind of person who likes to do more than one thing at a time, so I love things I can listen to while I’m working. During my shifts, I like to keep myself entertained, and lately I’ve been really into the Venezuelan comedy podcast “El Cuartico”. It mixes comedy with knowledge, so I get to learn something, laugh, and stay in a good mood while I work. It’s a win win win!
For a book related to my work, one I really love is “The Fourth Trimester”. I try to always keep the universal needs of postpartum in mind when I’m working with families, and I think this book does a really good job of explaining that stage. Even if you’re not postpartum or anywhere close to having a baby, I still think it’s totally worth reading.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamihelper_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408503180#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelica-melendez-499a39344
- Other: Email: angelica@mamihelper.com
