What advice would you give mothers-to-be?
Being a mother is one of the best yet hardest roles to play. My kids have often asked me, how painful it is to give birth? Surprisingly it’s one pain that’s quickly forgotten — right after you see and hear the cries of your little bundle of joy. There are different ways to be a good mother, so to celebrate Mother’s Day I have asked some moms to share with our 
readers the advice they would give to new mothers.
LULU TAN GUETA, fashion designer: Be sensitive to your child’s needs at any age. This is also precaution for future problems.
RUFFA GUTIERREZ, actress/beauty queen: Enjoy every moment of this exciting journey to motherhood. Take prenatal vitamins, Pilates or yoga classes. Being a mother is the true essence of a woman so tell your hubby to pamper you, and indulge in spa treatments designed for pregnant women.
ANTOINETTE ENCISO OCAMPO, model/corporate English trainer: Pay attention to your instincts. You may hear and take advice here and there, but you also have it in you. Take care of yourself as well as you take care of your baby. Enjoy every minute of it. Motherhood is such a wonderful thing!
JOANNE DEE OCA, housewife: Being a mother is truly an exiting time. I highly suggest taking a breast-feeding class because that’s what you should be doing most of the time after giving birth. Most mothers don’t even give a thought about what and how to feed the baby, which is the most important thing for me. More often than not, they take for granted the benefits of breast-feeding. I recently learned about the website www.theperfectlatch.com through my sister-in-law who just gave birth. It offers fun and interactive classes for new moms who want to be in the know. It is something that is being offered today that modern moms need to take advantage of. They are so lucky to have these services available to them now. I can only wish that we had something like this during my childbearing years.
LUCHI CRUZ VALDES, head of current affairs and news production, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.: Time flies so fast! Smell and “eat” your baby’s feet while you can. You will never ever see or smell them again in that state, except in your memory.
MARY JANE ORTEGA, former
CATHY ESCAÑO, housewife: Being a parent is the most difficult, yet most satisfying work you will ever do. Having quiet moments or “me time” is essential to be able to meet the complex demands of motherhood. Moments of quiet tranquility are critical as they allow us to define our relationships, our roles, our priorities, and most importantly, ourselves. Without them, we run the risk of becoming slaves to our lifestyles rather than the masters of them.
JULIE MARTINEZ TORRES, housewife/mom of Lucy Torres: My advice to new moms: 1) Make quality time for your kids and don’t entrust everything to the yaya; 2) A mother’s care, love and presence are irreplaceable; 3) Welcome the friends of your children to your home so you know who they are and what they are doing; 4) Be a confidante to your children so they won’t hide anything from you; 5) Teach and encourage your children to be prayerful and to practice Christian values.
OPHIE MAÑALAC
