At The Table With the Founders of Welcome Baby - Juliet Fuisz + Sarah Steinhardt
Current coordinates:
JULIET: Ohio SARAH: New York, NY
Inspiration for launching Welcome Baby:
JULIET:
My father was critically ill when my daughter was born and passed away when she was six months old. Juggling a colicky infant while also trying to care for my dad took everything I had. Mothers do so much invisible work during the postpartum period, when they are in a very delicate place physically and emotionally, and I really wanted to support them in a meaningful and tangible way.
SARAH:
After my first son was born, I became acutely aware of just how isolated and unsupported the postpartum months can be for women. I couldn’t shake the realization that if it was hard for me - and I’m privileged enough to be able to afford all the basic, essential items my babies needed when they were born - how painfully difficult it would be for a mother to bring home a new baby without a steady income, or familial support, or stable housing. I felt the most intense and overwhelming need to change this, to help in some small way. That’s how Welcome Baby was born almost four years ago. And since then, we’ve helped more than 3,000 women and newborns through their challenging, life-changing, amazing postpartum months together.
The One thing you always have on your dining table:
JULIET:
Perrier. It's also on my bedside table and in my car and on my kitchen counter. Nothing makes me happier.
SARAH:
Cloth Napkins. I think this might be my supremely elegant grandmother’s influence shining through, but I also think it’s a great way to cut down on single-use paper goods.
What do you love most about having friends over:
JULIET:
Sitting around and drinking wine on the couch after dinner.
SARAH:
I find that when we have friends over, the rooms feel like they’re brimming with love + laughter + happiness. I love observing my friends and family enjoying themselves - what’s better than a room full of smiles and laughter?!
Go-to cocktail:
JULIET:
Mexican mule. So easy and delicious and the mugs always feel festive!
SARAH:
A Negroni… it’s not only the most perfect and delicious cocktail (in my humble opinion) but it reminds me of my grandfather, who loved serving them and did so with flare and joy.
Signature meal to serve:
JULIET:
Veal piccata. I am not the best chef, but I really have that one down.
SARAH:
I like to mix it up, but a great steak prepared in a cast-iron skillet or a falling-off-the-bone short rib are two mainstays.
Music you can’t stop listening to::
JULIET:
Recently, it’s all Encanto. It keeps the kids busy and really grows on you.
SARAH:
Leonard Cohen, Springsteen, Arcade Fire, Fleetwood Mac.
Current Inspiration:
JULIET:
My daughter. She is incredibly artistic. She’s always cutting stuff or painting objects or gluing random items together. She is constantly creating - in the purest form. When I join her in this headspace, I lose track of time. It’s incredibly refreshing.
SARAH:
My two sons, ages 5 and 7, who are seeing and understanding new things about the world every day.
Dream dinner guest(s):
JULIET:
Honestly? My Dad! He was my absolute favorite person to have dinner with. Aside from him… I’d probably go with Billy Joel.
SARAH:
This is an impossible question! Right this second, I’d have to say that having my entire extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins) all together for dinner outside on a warm summer night sounds just about perfect.