--Not currently accepting clients for nannying or births (photography sessions still offered)--
​Baby Nanny

In addition to being a doula, Melanie also sometimes has availability as a baby nanny or postpartum doula in the Durango area specifically for babies from birth to age one. She has many years of experience with babies, and has developed her intuition of what they need to such a degree that babies are very comfortable with her.
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* Infant CPR certified (with a Dechoker device on site too)
* Babywearing for connection
* Baby sign language
* 500 hours experience with multiples
* Breastfeeding support/help with pumping and introducing bottles
* Board books and educational play
* Playing live cello and piano mini concerts for baby

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Melanie constantly updates her continuing education and has completed the following courses:
Safe Sleep
Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome 
Early Brain Development
Welcoming Children with Special Needs
Early Language and Literacy
5 Love Languages as relates to children
Playground Safety
Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines
Child Social and Emotional Health and Development
Maternal and Infant Breastfeeding Assessment (31 hours)
and more!

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Melanie works with single babies and also twins and higher order multiples. She loves them all.

Testimonial: like Mary Poppins
"I cannot thank Melanie enough for her guidance to me as a new mother and for nannying my daughter over the last two years since she was born! She has such a wonderful understanding of little ones and especially my daughter’s strong willed nature. My husband and I have often said she is so much like Mary Poppins :). My daughter is always so happy when it’s her day to see Melanie! Melanie understands babies/toddlers in a way that I have never seen in anyone before. We are so thankful to have had a Melanie in our lives."

​-Stacy S.

Note: I think the Mary Poppins reference comes from my bag of board books or activities (depending on little one's age) and also on the fact that with toddlers, while I mean what I say (am very consistent when it comes to behavior in toddlers), I also try to make "have to" activities (like cleaning up toys) fun. 
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Loving every moment!

Testimonial: First year with triplets
"Melanie Ellison has been an amazing postpartum doula for me and my family.  She gives more than 100% of herself.  It is great having someone who loves my triplet babies and is there for me no matter what.

"She has helped me to achieve my goal of nursing not just one baby, but three... Exclusively breast feeding triplets is no easy feat, and it wouldn't be possible without all the help, support, and encouragement from Melanie. Her expertise in breast feeding, milk production, & latching has been invaluable. 

"Having another person who supports my goals and wishes in my corner has made all the difference in being an effective parent.
Words cannot express how truly amazing Melanie is as a person or how great our experience has been with her. If you're thinking about using a postpartum doula, I strongly recommend Melanie. Having her on your team makes all the difference." 

​-Kristi S.

Testimonial: Better than daycare
"After not getting in to daycare (due to the long wait lists in Durango), I am grateful to have stumbled across Ms. Melanie! This is my first baby, and I initially didn't realize how much better one-on-one care would truly be than daycare for a baby. I leave my daughter with Melanie and am completely at ease knowing my baby is around a calm, nurturing, kind, musically talented, chipper, thoughtful young woman who knows everything there is to know about babies (which is a lot!).  Not only is Melanie trained in infant CPR, but she teaches infant sign language and has previously worked in daycare so gives daily infant reports on naps, feedings, diapers etc.  I love getting my little daughter's report card every day!  Melanie is wonderful at communicating and making the difficult back-to-work transition as a mom much easier. The level of wisdom, knowledge, love and calmness Melanie brings to our lives was beyond any expectation I had for childcare. If we have another baby, we're calling Melanie again! BEST NANNY EVER.

​-Britt B.