Totum began as an answer to a complete vacuum of support, conversation and depiction of the reality of new motherhood. In 2012, when I had our first baby, Instagram wasn’t serving up shots of new mothers in mesh diapers, with leaking boobs. Literature and healthcare were focused on pregnancy, birthing, and the resulting infant.

The woman at the center of the story was nowhere to be found. She still receives little in the way of care and support after she’s undergone the biggest hormone shift of any human being at any time in the life cycle. 

From a well-worn gray chair in our 4-week old baby’s nursery, fielding emails from my boss, still bleeding 6 weeks’ postpartum, I vowed to be a part of the solution.

In 2017, we launched with events, written content, and our first product: Totum Treats. Treats were a lactation cookie that had saved my supply when I went back to work (reluctantly) at 12 weeks’ postpartum. It was a delight to share something with other mothers that worked to solve a problem for me. The Treats made mothers feel loved and cared for, while increasing breastmilk supply.  

For Erin's full feature and her answer to our Founders Series questions, follow along on Instagram.