Vahini Suriyanarayanan is a dedicated voice in the field of children and parenting. As a lactation and infant feeding counselor and a birth educator, she has guided countless families through the early stages of parenthood with care and expertise. A mother of two, she brings both professional knowledge and personal experience to her work. Her approach reflects empathy, awareness, and a deep commitment to nurturing both mothers and children. Through her journey, she continues to inspire and support modern parenting with confidence and compassion.

In this exclusive feature, Vahini opens up about her personal calling, overcoming the pervasive hurdles of postpartum guilt, the architecture of age-appropriate sex education, and the quiet, transformative power of maternal resilience.

1. What inspired you to become a lactation and infant feeding counselor? Was it a career choice or a calling to support mothers?

Vahini: It was truly a calling. I had my first baby in 2019, at a time when access to lactation consultants wasn’t as easy as it is today. I struggled a lot with breastfeeding and felt extremely helpless because I couldn’t find the right guidance at all. Through a Facebook support group, I eventually found a lactation consultant in my city. Just one session with the lactation consultant transformed my journey and helped me go on to have a beautiful breastfeeding experience—I breastfed my daughter until she was five.

That experience inspired me to study lactation when my daughter was just three months old. What began as a personal struggle has now turned into five years of supporting mothers through their own breastfeeding journeys.

2. What kind of feedback do you usually receive from the mothers you have guided and supported?

Vahini: The feedback I receive most often is that mothers finally feel heard, supported, and empowered in their breastfeeding journey. Knowing that I could make that difference during such a vulnerable phase of motherhood is incredibly fulfilling.

3. As a mother yourself, what challenges did you face during your birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum journey, and what advice would you give young mothers?

Vahini: I struggled with birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum largely due to a lack of knowledge and support at the time. It took me about four to five months before things finally settled and I could truly start enjoying my time with my baby. However, the second time around was completely different because I was well informed and better prepared. My advice to young mothers would be to stay informed, ask questions, and never hesitate to seek professional help at the right time. The right guidance can make a world of difference in a mother’s journey.

4. You rarely promote products on your Instagram page, while many influencers treat Instagram as a marketplace. Is there a particular reason behind this choice?

Vahini: Instagram today offers wonderful opportunities, and I’m genuinely happy to see how it is helping many people—especially women—build a stable source of income. At the same time, I’m quite conscious about the collaborations I take up because not every brand aligns with my values. While I do collaborate with brands, I make sure to have detailed discussions with them and only proceed if I feel the product is safe and aligns with what I stand for. That’s why the number of collaboration posts on my page is quite minimal.

5. Your first child is a daughter. At what stage do you think parents should start introducing sex education in an age-appropriate way?

Vahini: Be it a boy or a girl, sex education actually begins right from birth. It starts with simple things like teaching children the correct names for body parts, helping them understand body boundaries, and letting them know that their body belongs to them. As they grow, these conversations naturally evolve into age-appropriate discussions about privacy, consent, emotions, relationships, and eventually reproduction. Comprehensive sex education isn’t a single “talk” but an ongoing process that helps children grow up with accurate information, body confidence, and the ability to make safe and respectful choices.

6. As a working mother, what parenting challenges have you experienced so far, and how have you managed them?

Vahini: One of the biggest challenges has been finding the balance. There is always that lingering feeling of guilt—wondering if I’m able to give my hundred percent to both my children and my work. What has helped me manage this is accepting that I don’t have to do everything alone. I never hesitate to ask for help, and my family has been my biggest pillar and support system. Planning ahead whenever possible also makes a huge difference in managing both roles more smoothly.

7. After two deliveries, you have maintained your fitness quite well. How did you manage to get back in shape? Did you follow any specific diet or routine?

Vahini: I focused more on consistency than anything extreme. After both my deliveries, I gave my body time to recover and slowly returned to a routine that included simple home workouts and staying physically active through the day. I didn’t follow any strict diet. Instead, I focused on balanced, home-cooked meals and nourishing my body well, especially while breastfeeding. I believe gradual, sustainable habits make a much bigger difference than quick fixes when it comes to postpartum fitness.

8. Apart from societal pressure, what advice would you give to young mothers who often feel they are not doing enough and struggle with guilt?

Vahini: Many mothers struggle with the feeling that they aren’t doing enough, but it’s important to remember that motherhood isn’t about perfection. Being present, loving, and doing your best each day is already enough for your child. I would also remind mothers to be gentle with themselves, seek support when they need it, and not hold themselves to unrealistic standards. When a mother feels supported and emotionally well, it naturally reflects in the way she nurtures her child.

9. In your experience, how important is emotional support for mothers during pregnancy and postpartum?

Vahini: Emotional support during pregnancy and the postpartum period plays a crucial role in a mother’s well-being. These phases can be physically and emotionally overwhelming, and having a supportive environment makes the journey much easier. Partner support, in particular, can make a significant difference. When parenting responsibilities are shared and both partners actively participate in caring for the baby, it reduces the pressure on the mother and helps her feel more supported. Equal parenting not only strengthens the family bond but also allows mothers to navigate this phase with greater confidence and emotional stability.

10. Through your work and social media presence, what impact do you hope to create in the lives of mothers and families?

Vahini: Through my work and social media, my goal is to make reliable information and support more accessible to mothers and families. Many parents navigate this phase with a lot of uncertainty, and the right guidance can help them feel more confident and reassured. If my platform can help parents make informed decisions, feel supported in their parenting journey, and approach feeding and early childhood with more confidence and less pressure, that in itself is the impact I hope to create.

11. What is one quality or mindset you believe every woman should hold on to despite the challenges she faces in life?

Vahini: One quality I believe every woman should hold on to is resilience. Life can bring many challenges, but the ability to stay strong and keep moving forward makes all the difference. It’s also important for women to value themselves and not lose their identity while balancing the many roles they take on. Staying connected to who you are helps you face life’s ups and downs with greater strength and confidence.

12. Lastly, what would you like to tell women about the power of their aura, confidence, and inner energy?

Vahini: A woman’s true strength lies in the quiet confidence she carries within herself. When she learns to trust her instincts, honor her journey, and stand firmly in who she is, that energy naturally reflects in everything she does. Confidence and inner peace are powerful—they influence not only how a woman sees herself, but also how the world responds to her. When women embrace their authenticity and inner strength, they create a positive ripple effect in their families and communities.