At Because, it's been our mission to champion the brands that may have gone under the radar in the sea of stuff available to us. In light of what's been happening globally over the last few months, we've noticed this is needed now more than ever, and have been wondering how best to continue this.
Hence the start of our latest feature, Pass the Platform, where we'll be sharing a selection of interviews who would have been picked by the interviewee prior, starting a thread and community of brands that are doing good within the fashion and beauty worlds. We hope this will bring attention to different voices that aren't always heard within these realms, as per our pledge to do better.
Next up is Nyree Adams, Co-founder of 100% herbal postpartum care company, Mum Bub Hub. After being nominated by Jamii, Nyree tells us about the complexity of postpartum recovery and how she and co-founder, Anisah, recognised a gap in the skincare market for new mothers. Read on to find out how the duo are helping mothers on their post-birth journey...
How did Mum Bub Hub start?
The concept of Mum Bub Hub grew from a combination of both Anisah’s and my professional backgrounds and our individual experiences as Mothers. As beautiful and joyful as it is having a baby, the topic of becoming a mother is such an overwhelming and complex issue. After becoming pregnant with our first babies we both realised that we hadn’t been given a heads up on the realities of giving birth and the aftercare.
There were not many discussions around the realities of the postpartum period at the time, which is such a very crucial time in respect to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and when we spoke to other women, we realised that there was definitely a lack of information out there. We initially had the idea to run subsidised antenatal workshops to help offer support to new mums. We also wanted to create postpartum gift boxes but quickly discovered that there weren’t many, if any, products that were specifically designed for postpartum recovery. Our experiences made us realise that there wasn’t a wellness line dedicated solely to the unique needs of new mothers; one that created a space to allow us to adjust gently to our new realities. So we wanted to create a company with a strong voice communicating the importance of self-care and support for new mothers.
Medical studies have proven that Black women are more likely to die during childbirth, why do you think this is? How do we stop this from happening?
The figures are really alarming! I would say part of it is due to health disparities and unconscious bias within the healthcare system which can lead to pain and concerns being ignored. We are also more prone to various medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which can complicate pregnancies and childbirth. It is such a complex issue that will take time to dismantle. As a start, healthcare providers need to start creating an environment where Black women in particular feel safe to raise their concerns without fear of judgment but we also need to be showing up for ourselves.
It’s so important that we are getting informed about our rights, speaking up about any concerns we might have, and really advocating for ourselves. As mothers, we naturally have a gut feeling if something doesn’t seem right, even if you think it is the smallest thing, trust your instincts. If you feel like your health care professional isn’t taking you seriously, get a second opinion. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, find an advocate like a doula who can help support your claims. There are some really great organisations doing amazing work bringing awareness to the issues we are facing and providing support so doing research is important as well.
How important is it for new mothers to take time out for themselves?
It's essential! So often, as Mothers, we take on various roles and extend ourselves. This can easily lead to exhaustion and burnout, sometimes without us even realising. If we make a conscious effort to step away from the constant demands of day-to-day Motherhood, by investing time in ourselves, we can mitigate the risk of damaging our mental and physiological health. It's not acceptable to drive ourselves into the ground, so if we can identify ways to create a balance or allow ourselves to recalibrate, then we're carving out a more productive lifestyle. It's about setting the intention to do something for yourself - be it an evening to read, 30 minutes meditation, or time to just sit and be! We forget how to do that sometimes.
What’s special about your line of postpartum products?
Our plant-based products are formulated using simple traditional homeopathic remedies for the areas that matter the most to make her first few days and weeks of postpartum recovery as comfortable as possible. Postpartum recovery isn’t glamorous, and it’s far from easy. While we can’t wave a magic wand and make haemorrhoids disappear or perineal tears heal immediately, our range gives new mums the tools they’ll need to tackle their recovery with confidence and comfort. Our best sellers in the range are our products for perineal care - the perineum is the area including the vagina and anal region, which is most likely to be sore and swollen after pushing!. They are packed with ingredients that are “anti” everything! They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties, which can help to soothe, cleanse, and heal the area.
How do the sale of your products help mothers and mums to be?
We are a social enterprise, so all the profits from each product we sell are reinvested back into the business. We have recently launched our Support Hub which allows women to get free access to antenatal & postpartum specialist support services if they are finding it hard to access any support due to lack of finances, being on waiting lists, or those who need support but do not know how to access it. We are currently supporting timely access to perinatal mental wellness therapy, hypnobirthing online sessions, doula services, and pre & postnatal holistic wellness 1-1 support and online group sessions.
What is your advice for new mothers and mums to be?Be Kind to Yourself – don’t pressure yourself to get back to your usual state, stop worrying about your checklist, you just created a human. It’s so important to highlight that it’s not simply a process of physical recovery, but equally, a mental and emotional one so be kind and compassionate to yourself.
Who would you like to Pass the Platform to next and why?
Rose. D. Annor, founder of Bowë Skincare which creates exceptional skincare products with women of colour at the heart.
Shop Mum Bub Hub products here.
More More More!
+ Pass the Platform | Jamii...
+ Pass the Platform | A Complexion Company...
+ Surprise Me!
