Why I’m Nana JuJu

Nana JuJu’s story

My passion for creating a nurturing family environment for families with new babies comes directly from my own prenatal and postpartum experiences. Despite my excitement at being a new mother and my conscientious preparation, I experienced long term postpartum depression.  Feelings of isolation, being overwhelmed by my son’s needs and trying to care for home and husband were aggravated by my own lack of self-care. Gentle support from family and friends, good nutrition and self-care helped avoid exhaustion and the baby blues after my second son’s birth.  

Baby wearing, co-sleeping and long term breastfeeding of my sons (3 and 2 years respectively) were all integral parts of my parenting style. For several years, I mothered a blended family of our two sons, my 4 Paraguayan stepchildren and a nephew.  That was seven kids aged 8 months to 20 years old! Love, patience and structure were the backbones of our multicultural, multi-lingual (English, Spanish and Guarani) household.  Taking care of my own physical and emotional needs assured me that I had the strength to make the best possible decisions for myself and our family.

I was given the nickname “Nana JuJu” for my ability to put hearts, minds and tummies at ease. When I returned to work outside the home, I focused on culinary education, using my experience as a mother living on a budget as a guide.  I have taught cooking at birth centers, schools, senior centers and at farmers’ markets. Always, I demonstrate that healthy eating needn’t be expensive, difficult or time consuming.  As a postpartum doula, I am able to combine my passion for culinary education with my love of women and babies.  My focus is on postpartum care, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition as a foundation of healthy parenting, self-care and breastfeeding.