Exclusive | New mom Yuvika Chaudhary on breastfeeding challenges: 'It is very painful and there is mother's guilt too'

Yuvika shared, "Initially, it was very challenging. I was not comfortable, not just comfortable, I didn't know how to feed. It takes time when you start feeding. So, your body takes time to get into the rhythm of milk. Initially, it doesn't come when you have to go through certain phases, where I was struggling basically.  Initially, I was not having milk in my breast. But when I started having milk, the doctor was teaching me how to feed. So, my little baby and I struggled a lot. But when we got the flow, each other, then it became really easy because initially I was taking the help of a pump and all. But it was very painful."

She further added, "My baby, come what may, you know, I have to do this because otherwise I would feel guilty. I'm not able to do this. I'm not able to feed my baby. What is it? that guilt factor comes. I was in guilt, but thank God, with the help of the doctor, they were like, it's okay, it happens, it's not a big deal, it is a phase, it happens with everyone. And at least you're lucky you have a feed to give to your baby. I used to initially use the pump to feed, but then I started feeding my baby. So, it was, it became really relaxing and beautiful for me. I'm like, okay, now I'm not stressed at all."

Yuvika on challenges with C-section

Yuvika opened up about the pain that comes with C-section, "The pain is so much in your body, and your body is very fragile, and mine is C-section-based. When your body is going through a lot of changes, your mind is never stable. Emotionally, you are on a different level altogether. You feel weak mentally, physically. And why do you feel mentally more? Because you feel that your health, your body, is not the way you want. Earlier, it used to be healthy. But these are signs of a basic change. And especially it was kind of after the C-section. These are the things which you face later on. So, I say, people say, you know, C-section is easy and normal is not easy. C-section is not easy. You need guts to go through a C-section. It is really, really different. And then I was like, oh God, I would have gone through normal. But my condition was like, no, I had to go through a C-section only."

Yuvika added, "The back pain is constant, and your body is fragile after the operation. It is so fragile that you are basically in depression. You get into depression so badly. And till the time you are not alright, postpartum depression is this only. Because your body goes through so much of changes. You are mentally blank. And when you are blank, you cry. So, I was going through those changes in my body that I used to feel so weak, so weak, helpless. Even after having good support around me, I still used to feel this."

She also lauded women who deliver alone, "And I can imagine people who don't have support, you know, how do they manage? I am lucky that I had my family around. Everybody was around me. Everyone used to call. Everyone was concerned. But people who give birth alone and who have no support, I can say, salute them, boss. Giving birth alone it's really tough."

On breaking social stigma of breastfeeding in public

On breaking the social stigma of breastfeeding in public, "It's a normal thing. Why can't we normalise it? And I am not saying that you are openly going, and showing off and feeding, no. It's a requirement. If there is no specific place. Either you arrange for a place everywhere. Like, there are toilets. Or there are so many facilities. In India, there are booths everywhere. Nice, neat and clean. And if that facility is not there. Then just normalise. It's a requirement of a mother. Every woman becomes a mother. So, people should be educated. We should leave the backwards world. And move forward. You are feeding milk to a child. You are feeding in a proper way."

Yuvika quipped, "You say you are not gender biased. But then this thing happens. Either we get facilities. As I said. Like, there are washrooms everywhere. On every stop. There has to be. A facility for a feeding room. Either we do that. Or you should be so normal. You should not feel conscious. Your child is hungry. Like a child urinates. Like this. It is also hungry. I think with time, like how we are talking about this now. This will change. I have a very, very good hope. We are addressing it so, it's like a good chance that changes may happen."

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!