Shakira feels "more confident" after becoming a mother for the second time.
Shakira with son Milan
The 'Can't Remember to Forget You' hitmaker - who has sons, Milan, two, and Sasha, three weeks, with FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué - admits she "interrogated" her own mother when she was pregnant for the first time, but feels a lot more relaxed this time around.
In a new post on her blog, the 38-year-old star shared: "When I was preparing to become a mother for the first time, I couldn't get enough information on what I needed to be prepared. I combed blogs, baby books, polled my friends who were already mothers, interrogated my own mother. I wanted to soak up every bit of research I could find. Glass bottle or plastic? Pacifier or no pacifier? The logistical questions were endless and at times, overwhelming. Like any new mother, I wanted to do everything I could to ensure a safe, happy environment for my baby.
"This time around, during my second pregnancy, like many mothers, I felt more confident. The questions that kept me up at night with my first now seem more manageable and I have more perspective about their importance in the bigger picture."
In lieu of baby gifts, the couple asked their fans, friends and family members to donate to UNICEF's World Baby Shower campaign during both of her pregnancies, and the Colombian singer is determined to continue helping other babies and mothers living in extreme poverty.
She added: "My hope is that by the time my sons are adults, they can look back and see how even small efforts can have a big impact when multiplied--and that they take the time to tackle the big questions of their time too."
Tagged in Shakira Gerard Pique