Actor Ishita Dutta recently revealed that she was hospitalized along with her two-year-old son Vaayu, just a couple of months after welcoming her second baby with husband, Vatsal Sheth (44).

The 34-year-old actor shared a photo from the hospital on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, showing Vaayu and herself receiving IV fluids, though she didn’t reveal their faces in the post.

While she didn’t disclose the reason, Ishita mentioned that being unwell has led to significant weight loss. Sharing a health update, she wrote, “It’s been a really tough month... At a time when I was supposed to be with my newborn, I was making hospital rounds instead. Thankfully, both Vaayu and I are doing much better now.”

She also addressed the buzz around her post-partum appearance: “A lot of you have been asking me about my weight loss — it wasn’t deliberate, just a result of being unwell.”

In June, the couple welcomed their daughter, Veda, and their son Vaayu in July 2023.

Ishita and Vatsal fell in love on the sets of the television show, Rishton Ka Saudagar — Baazigar and got married on November 28, 2017, in Mumbai.

The last few months have been a whirlwind for actor Ishita Dutta Sheth, as she welcomed her daughter Veda with husband, actor Vatsal Sheth in June. With World Breastfeeding Week kicking off today, we caught up with Ishita, who is navigating motherhood a second time.

Talking to us, Ishita notes that her experience with both her kids has been vastly different. “When Vaayu (her two-year-old son) was born, latching didn’t work that well. After six months of breastfeeding I shifted to formula milk. But with my second kid, I’ve been lactating quite a bit, to the extent of now donating milk to hospitals,” she says.

Breastfeeding can be a sensitive subject, with a common conception being that the natural way is better than baby formula. However, the 34-year-old states, “I was clear with my approach, if I was lactating enough and my baby latched, I would breastfeed. If not, I would express milk or switch to formula. There was never any confusion or pressure.”

She goes on to assert that a mother shouldn’t be judged for the way she chooses to feed her child: “There are women who can’t breastfeed, and there are those who choose not to. I was formula-fed because my mom couldn’t breastfeed, and I’ve turned out fine. So why shame anyone? Whatever a mother chooses for her child is the best decision for them.”

She also goes on to address the stigma around breastfeeding in public. Ishita notes, “Breasts are still sexualised, and that’s why people stare at a woman breastfeeding in public; it’s uncomfortable. I wish I could feed my baby anywhere without thinking twice. No one tells you directly not to breastfeed, but the way people look at you can make you feel like you shouldn’t.”

However, the actor feels that there’s been a shift in perspective as more public figures speak about these issues. “Even 20 years ago, you’d never hear the words ‘breast’ or ‘period’ in public conversation. Our mums just accepted the pain. Now, at least we’re having these conversations, and that’s a start,” she shares.

“I’d love to live in a world where women don’t have to check for a private room before going out or feel uncomfortable feeding their hungry baby. But to reach that point, we need to normalize it,” she ends.

Actors Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta welcomed a baby girl on June 10. The couple, already parents to son Vaayu, couldn’t be happier as their wish for a daughter has come true. Vatsal shared, “We became parents around two years ago for the first time when Vaayu came into our lives. This time, we were hoping for a baby girl and our dream has come true. We are overjoyed. Our family is now complete.”

Talking about how Vaayu reacted to the arrival of his sister, Vatsal said, “Vaayu is about to turn two, so he doesn’t understand much. We kept telling him that a baby will be entering our lives and will be his little sister/brother. When he saw her, he was very happy and gave her flying kisses.”

Meanwhile, the actor has decided to take a short break from work. “I have consciously taken a small break from work because this is family time and I want to spend it with my family. They need my full attention, love and care.”

An elated Ishita told us, “We are happy and excited. The best moment was when we saw Vaayu’s reaction. It was priceless. I can’t wait to see them grow up as siblings. It will take a few days for the fact to sink in that we have a daughter now. I am looking forward to this new journey with Vatsal and our kids.”

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