Before Romi arrived, creativity and craft were already at the heart of this family.
Matthew is a talented photographer, and his partner, Sissel, is a furniture designer. Together, they approach both work and parenthood with the same philosophy: support is not about replacing something; it’s about holding space for it to flourish.
When Romi was born, that philosophy became lived experience. What unfolded in the days and weeks after her arrival reframed what support truly means.
What was it like for you, as the dad, during the labor?
Matthew:
“I thought, what am I really going to be doing? But actually, I didn’t have time to eat or sleep for three days. There was a lot going on. So I was basically helping Sissel move around and trying to keep her hydrated and find positions that didn’t hurt to be in. She slept in the bath between contractions, so I had to hold her above the water, even her head, so she wouldn’t go underwater. I was very tired by the end of it, but it was all worth it.”
How did it feel to meet Romi for the first time?
Sissel:
“She came out covered in amniotic fluid, and the sun was coming through the blinds. It felt like a whole new day had begun in my life. I remember thinking she looked a lot like Matthew’s mum at first, and then we noticed she looked like Sissel too. The birth itself was crazy but so positive. Everything went basically exactly how I had hoped it would, which was incredible.”
What was feeding like in those first weeks?
Matthew: “We started with finger feeding, triple feeding, and breastfeeding her for as long as possible, pumping, and then supplementing with formula through a tube. It was messy and overwhelming. I had to hold the pump while Sissel pumped at the same time, and there were big tubes everywhere. But I was invited into the whole process from almost the beginning. It made me feel deeply connected to her.”
Did you use bottles too?
Matthew:
“Yes. Sissel does breastfeed, and I’m giving the bottles about 80% of the time. It gives Sissel a chance to rest and refill, and it’s a way for me to connect with Romi too. I can take a little box with formula and water and go out for a few hours, and it doesn’t worry me at all. It’s a flexible life for us as freelancers, and it works perfectly.”
How did this affect your connection with Romi?
Matthew:
“At the start, it was overwhelming, so many numbers, weights, feeding instructions. But when we were told to stop worrying, it became easier. Romi was gaining weight and thriving. Being involved in feeding from the beginning made me feel closer to her. Those first few weeks were incredible. It’s a sensorial experience, the skin-to-skin contact, the smell, the sound. It’s the whole world stopping for just the three of us.”
Did family get involved too?
Sissel: “Feeding Romi hasn’t been reserved just for the two of us. Grandparents, siblings, even extended family have been invited. Especially with family living far away, those moments of closeness matter deeply. Seeing others bond with her has been really beautiful. ‘To see the two people you love most connect like that, there’s something incredibly beautiful about it. Even (she laughs) something unexpectedly sensual. To see your partner care, nourish, be present like that, it’s so powerful & sexy.’”
What have you learned about being a dad so far?
Matthew:
“It’s about presence. Being there through the labor, through the sleepless nights, through every messy feeding, it shapes your relationship. Early involvement matters, not just emotionally but for the connection you build with your child for life. Watching Romi grow and feeling her trust me, even in small moments like giving a bottle or comforting her, is incredibly powerful. It’s a reminder that fatherhood is active, loving, and deeply meaningful.”
At Caramma, we celebrate the first moments, the first bottles, and the everyday rituals that make feeding a shared, meaningful act of connection. Matthew’s story shows that fatherhood isn’t just a role; it’s an active, loving presence that shapes a lifetime.
Matthew & Sissel uses the Support Bottle - small