Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunayana Weber.
Hi, Sunayana; we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I work to help all families meet their lactation goals through individual consultations, as well as private and small group classes. I’ve taken on additional training focusing on trauma-informed care, perinatal mood disorders, anti-racist practice, and gender-affirming care in the perinatal space. Because of my experiences and the population I serve, I’m working towards obtaining a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Clients have described me as informative, empathetic, and supportive and report that I make them confident. My rough start with breastfeeding my older son led me to learn as much about lactation as I could. I helped my friends, and they started giving my number out to their friends – I knew I had to explore my newfound passion. It’s More Than Milk began as a side hustle and quickly became my calling. Eventually, it made the shift to my career. I’ve supported families with their lactation journeys since 2012 and became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2017. It’s More Than Milk was on a hiatus for several years as my family grew and moved to Austin. After passing my board exam, I gained much experience working with Austin families in an outpatient setting. I earned a reputation for looking at the family unit as a whole to help them reach their lactation and infant feeding goals. In August 2022, I made the leap to become a small business owner, revived It’s More Than Milk as my private practice, and have yet to look back. I have won the Best Lactation Consultant in the Best in Birth Austin Award for several years!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road to running a successful business. The biggest challenge I’ve faced is imposter syndrome! Now and again, that voice in my head starts getting loud and telling me I’m not good enough or smart enough to do this. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! When imposter syndrome strikes, I realize it’s time to log off of my laptop and do something that isn’t work-related. Holding space and solving lactation challenges takes a lot of physical and emotional energy. It’s a sign that my battery is running low and that time for myself is the best way to recharge it. Once I feel well taken care of, I can focus on parents and babies.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My business is called It’s More Than Milk Lactation Services. I offer lactation and infant feeding support for families in their homes, in my office, and virtually. I pride myself in supporting the family unit and want to ensure that the parents are doing as well as the baby. This is something that some lactation consultants need to consider when developing their feeding plans or providing support. Being known for taking a family or parent’s mental health status into account is also very important. I’m also known for giving queer and trans-affirming lactation support. I view my role at the IBCLC as one where I help parents reach their lactation goals through knowledge and empathy so they feel empowered with their decisions throughout the journey.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
I wish someone would’ve told me to have things in place like a business plan and business goals (1-year, 5-year, and 10-year goals) already figured out. Having a mission statement, a vision, and my business core values is essential so you can focus on achieving them within your timeline. I also wish I had taken some classes or learned more about managing a small, heart-centered business. So many challenges I’ve faced differ from those I have prepared for. Take a class, read a book, or find a business mentor!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itsmorethanmilk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmorethanmilk
- Facebook: https://wwww.facebook.com/itsmorethanmilk
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/its-more-than-milk-lactation-services-austin-3
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tmyC1KwefjgWLtn87
Image Credits
Photos by Carley E. Photography
