The idea for HumbleBummies came to her at home with her first son Viggo, who is now 2 years old. Since then, she has worked purposefully to develop and launch the first bamboo diapers on the Swedish market. Just in time for her second son to be born, she had the finished products ready to be launched. We meet the impressive Filippa to talk about her experiences and experiences from her first days as a mother.
Filippa brings her six-week-old Sverre with her to all meetings and sales meetings . “So far he sleeps quite peacefully and for longer periods in the baby carrier so I can work. Ergonomically, it becomes more difficult every day he grows, but right now it works!”
It may seem as if pregnancy, childbirth and recovery from these things didn't bother her, considering the company she founded in parallel. But Filippa is very open about how fragile she was, especially the time after her first child was born.
"I think it's really important to talk about the first few days and how vulnerable you are as a new mother, and how stressful it can be. I had a pretty tough start, I understand now. Your whole body, and your psyche, feel so different when you've just given birth, so it's incredibly difficult to know what's reasonable. What's within the framework of 'normal discomfort'? Plus, the baby is the number one focus, and you yourself are secondary.. "
About challenges and support in the beginning
What was your biggest challenge at first?
-I had something called a hematoma during childbirth. It wasn't noticeable at first, but I was sent home from the hospital with praise for how little blood I had lost. A hematoma is like an internal bruise, a collection of blood in the body, and I was diagnosed with it when I sought medical attention, completely feverish and drowsy, a few days later.
What kind of care did you receive then?
-I needed to be admitted, and I didn't understand at all how it would work because I had my son who needed food and everything. I was really sick, I understand now, and so glad that I got good support and advice here.
Who did you get support from?
-My family, but actually especially my grandfather here. He is a pediatrician and told me in such a clear and reassuring way that I should leave the child with my husband and get the care I needed. He said: children feel just as good with compensation and the important thing now is that you get well. That made me ignore having a bad conscience. It was liberating and probably important for my recovery.
How was it then, when you got home ?
-After my first birth, when I came home, I needed a lot of help from my husband and family around me. I was completely exhausted and didn't really understand how I was going to make life work as a mother. I was stressed, had anxiety and had an incredibly hard time with the changes that becoming a mother meant. I had a hard time accepting putting myself last in every room now that the baby was there.
If I had to do this time over again, I probably wouldn't have put myself last but prioritized myself to feel good. If mom feels good, baby feels good, I always try to follow that. Now the second time when I came it was absolutely incredible and I just longed to meet my mischievous two-year-old and sleep at home in my own bed.
Have you had to process this experience?
-Well, I just thought that's how it is to give birth and become a mother. I bit my lip and thought that the pain from the hematoma was probably normal and that everyone is in pain for several weeks after giving birth. Now, before my second birth, I noticed that I had an incredible amount of respect for what I was about to experience, and was actually a little scared. So, now I understand that I might have had to process my first birth, but at the same time - as soon as I got to the hospital this second time, and met the fantastic midwives, my fears went away.
About becoming a mother for the second time
How did you think about having your second child? Did you have any strategy or attitude with you since the last time?
-You know what it can be like, so you definitely have a larger frame of reference. I also knew how well bottle feeding works, so even if I would have better conditions for breastfeeding this second time, I had decided not to fight to make it work.
So what has it been like to become a mother of two?
-It's been an incredible experience and I'm happier than ever. It's actually easier than I imagined and so much love. It's so nice to see your children together and be a big family. Of course it's more stressful, less sleep, less time and requires more logistics and planning but it's also twice as much love and twice as much fun!
About expectations of motherhood
Did you have any fears about becoming a mother ?
-Well, I don't know if I had it in mind... But now I think it's scary how much you love your children. Your whole life becomes scary to live because there's so much at stake. I was a little scared now with the second child that I wouldn't be able to give time to my first, but that didn't happen, quite the opposite now that I'm on parental leave that we can have calmer mornings and pick them up from preschool earlier.
Is there any myth about being a mother that you've discovered isn't true for you?
-Myth and myth but I think I thought that all parents "give up" their previous life when they have children but I don't feel that way. You have time for both and life has just become more fun and more important to take care of.
Have you received any unexpected or unsolicited advice about your parenting?
-Maybe around sleep training that it's so important to teach your child to sleep by themselves in their own room, god how stressed I've been about it. Now in retrospect I wonder why I can't just sleep with my children for as long as they want?
"If I could go back in time and give myself one piece of advice, it would be to take it easy and trust yourself. You know your child best."
What do you do when you get a rare moment to yourself?
-I work out, I need the endorphins to function. I go get my nails done or sleep, haha. Right now I also work a lot when I have my own time because that's when I have time to work.
And is there anything you would like to do when you have some time to yourself?
-I would have loved to have a massage and gone with friends to a SPA. I would also have liked to have a nice dinner with my husband in town with some good drinks! But that will come soon when I taper off breastfeeding.
Are you good at taking on extra responsibilities or accepting help with the children?
I comment a lot on how something should be done when my husband is with the kids and I control all situations. I have a hard time relaxing when others are with my kids besides my own mother.
About the children
What trait do you hope your children inherit from you?
-I want them to inherit my mindset that anything is possible and the strength to not give up just because you don't solve it right away. I also want them to inherit my curiosity about people.
Is there a stage in your children's lives that you long for?
-I can't wait to see my children play and do sports together. I look forward to being able to go on a ski holiday together and sit around a dinner table and talk about the day.
About the relationship
How did your relationship with your partner change after you became a mother?
-He suddenly became irreplaceable and the safest point in my life. We have everything that really matters in common and there is no one in the world who loves our little children as much as we do. We are a team and I can't do without him.
Has your partner done anything memorable to support you in motherhood?
-That he often works from home, haha, so he can help and relieve me. Also that he always makes sure I have time to exercise and makes sure I get enough sleep.
Thanks!
We at Unna are grateful that Filippa was so open about sharing her experiences and thoughts about her first days as a mother! If you are interested in her brand and products, we recommend that you click on the HumbleBummies website or Instagram .
