A very simple daddy’s little girl, Varsha Satyan was born in a conservative Brahmin family. It was a family tradition to go down the Engineering or Medical career route but Varsha chose to break norms and did BSc. in Visual Communication. She went on to do her post-graduate diploma in Media Communication and sealed it with a Masters in Journalism & Mass Communication. Varsha did her second Masters in Child Care and Education and is a Certified Lactation Consultant (LC) too. She is associated with numerous hospitals and clinics across Chennai. You can find more details about her on her website.
1. This interview is going to be more on a professional level. But before that, we would love to hear your breastfeeding journey. Tell us from the beginning.
I was 40 weeks and one day when I started bleeding. Although the doctor advised us to go back home and come in the evening, I got admitted to avoid the unnecessary travel. They started me on drips. When the drips did not have any effect on my body, the doctor ruptured the amniotic sac to see that the baby had passed meconium. She said the baby would have drank it and hence insisted on a Caesarean/C-Section.
In spite of all of it, I was able to breastfeed Drona within the golden hour period and he did latch on beautifully.
But the hospital had its own theory of giving 30ml to a newborn every 2 hours.
2. Okay. So, were you producing that much?
The nurses would come multiple times to squeeze that much milk out. Yellow colostrum turned into orange as blood was getting mixed. I would cry in pain but bare it for my baby. Unable to see all this, Kiran, my husband, decided to take things into his hands. He asked them all to leave and helped me hand express whatever we could.
Due to the constant pressure from the nurses, I believed I was not making enough milk and fell into the formula trap. He was fed via a spoon. After feeding him formula, they would ask me not to tell the doctor. Some of the nurses would patiently wait while we tried to nurse. I tried the nipple shield as well but in vain. My cousin offered to lend me her electric breast pump once I was home.
After 5 days of a tough beginning with my husband as a strong pillar of support beside me, we went home. Throughout my life I would carry the guilt of being forced into feeding formula to my baby.
3. What happened after you got home?
Thinking about my nipple problem, I would express milk and feed the baby. One night suddenly he only cried and refused to sleep. I rushed him to the hospital and the Head Nurse, senior most staff of the hospital told me,” You have small-sized breasts and so your milk is never sufficient for your baby. Give him formula 2-3 times a day”. I was heartbroken. Believing the nurse, I force fed him formula once a day.
After 2 days, when I went to my paediatrician, Drona’s weight gain was good. I was curious if all of this was because of my milk or formula. The doctor said I could exclusively breastfeed.
But breastfeeding was still painful and I went back to a friend, Amba, who is also a Childbirth Educator and Lactation Consultant. She referred me to Dr. Jayashree Jayakrishnan.
4. How did it go with Dr. Jayashree?
When I met her, I realized breastfeeding was such a pleasure. It should not be painful. Just 2 sessions with her and we kickstarted a beautiful ongoing journey. I will always be grateful to Dr. Jayashree for helping us create a lovely bond of nursing.
Even today, my little big boy is breastfeeding and this journey will go on till he wants to wean himself.
5. What drove you to become a LC?
Someone from the birth field suggested I should become a Lactation Counsellor. She offered to take me under her wings and train me. Amba introduced me to Breastfeeding Support for Indian Mothers (BSIM) where I met Chetana. With Chetana’s help, I became a Leader at La Leche League International and retired 5 years later.
So, in short, these two were the driving forces. And I don’t regret the shift in careers because this is soul satisfying.
6. Now, we have so many LCs, and a little more awareness around it too. Of course, we still have a long way to go. But what would be the most noticeable difference between then and now?
Some hospitals and doctors have been quite receptive and have LCs working under them. Initially, couples would hesitate to take up classes due to the belief that breastfeeding happens naturally. Now, more and more couples are opting for sessions to be prepared well in advance. Some of them know of our existence when it comes to breastfeeding concerns.
But we still have a long way to go! We are not there yet.
7. Which family member calls you the most for breastfeeding issues?
There has been a huge shift in this case. 80% of the calls I have received are from husbands. They say, “my wife is in a lot of pain and we need your help”. Two fathers called me to say they need support for their daughters.
And, I also had a father-in-law call to say he saw my reviews and believes I will be able to support his daughter in law and grandchild.
This change or shift has been truly heart-warming.
8. Based on your experience, what would be your suggestion to new parents.
I would say, Google less as over analysing leads to self-diagnosis; more often those are perceived notions. Sometimes it stays back with you and gets difficult to come out of that thought process hindering the breastfeeding journey.
