The Mumma behind Mamamade: Sophie Baron

Becoming a mother

My daughter was born in September 2017, and I’ll be the first to say it - I was completely underprepared.
I’d always dreamt of motherhood. My birth was straightforward, empowering, and ecstatic - but when it came to taking care of my baby, I felt like I was failing just a little bit, every single day. I really struggled. It took a full year to be diagnosed with postnatal depression, and in that time, I didn’t encounter anyone who was talking about how hard that first year could be.
Social media was still a very glossy highlights reel. Everyone I knew was surrounded by their own mothers, grandmothers, siblings - extended families who could form a village. Me? As an expat in London, I had no village. It was incredibly isolating.
At the time I didn’t really understand that I needed help. I wasn’t sure how to ask for help, and I didn’t feel like I deserved it - I was on maternity leave, after all. I had all the time in the world. I hated that I couldn’t cope better, because no one was talking about how hard it could be to cope without help.

The first inklings of an idea
Despite how hard I found the first few months of parenting, I was actually really excited about weaning. I loved watching my baby try new foods, and for the first time, parenting felt rewarding and exciting.
I had a passion for weaning. It sounds weird, but my husband and I have both always loved food, and we wanted Liba to love all the things we loved; it was important to me that she be a confident eater. But I also found a lot of the resources out there a bit tone deaf, or old-fashioned. There weren’t any cookbooks or recipes that felt fresh and exciting. The advice was conflicting and outdated. It was hard to know who to trust.
And when I went back to work at 6 months, I felt extra-desperate for some additional support. I couldn’t believe that my only options were either to 1. Cook everything myself, or 2. Rely on long-life, highly processed baby food pouches that looked nothing like the food I was able to cook myself. I felt strongly that there had to be a better way to feed babies conveniently.
I don’t remember exactly when all of these feelings led me to start Mamamade. I kept wishing for something that would feel right to me as a mother; a place where I could interact and meet with other parents who were feeling like I was; and on the product side, I just really wanted good convenience food - and didn’t want to feel embarrassed for wanting that.
It was a sort of frustration that grew over time, until I felt brave enough to believe that I could start something that would meet these needs.
So I just started from my kitchen. I still had my full-time job. At that point, the food was my main focus - and because it was just me over Instagram, I quickly forged connections with Mamamade customers, and in turn, it started to feel like a community, as I got to know everyone and learned about what is important to them.

Mamamade Today
As we’ve grown, I’ve stayed focused on creating that feeling of support I desperately needed when I first had my daughter. We started with the meals, but now we also offer snacks, coaching, and digital downloads. We’re developing new ways of connecting with our community.
I want people to see Mamamade and know they’ve found a place they can come free from judgment, with products that make their lives easier, more restful, and more fulfilling!

Try Mamamade for yourself!
We’d love to offer Oh Mumma customers an exclusive discount on their first Mamamade bundle - filled with 100% organic, nutritious and delicious baby + toddler meals delivered frozen to your door. Just use code OHMUMMA10 at checkout, for £10 off your first box! Offer ends 31st August 2022.