Our interview this week has a different flavor, or rather, a different melody. Today We are going to interview Mai Meneses, the singer Nena Daconte, who is going to tell us about her recent motherhood, her birth, her breastfeeding and especially about the wonderful way in which her baby has changed her life and her way of seeing the world.
It has been a pleasure to talk with Mai and I hope to convey the sweetness and simplicity with which she has told us, very close, the emotions of a joyful motherhood.
What has motherhood represented in your life?
Being a mother is being the best experience of my life.
I think I could not explain myself without having gone through motherhood. It has completed me and given me a new perspective on life, my partner and myself. Without having the new vision, much more complete, of my own mother. We have joined more. Also, since my son was born I see that everyone has a mother who loves him as he is, who loves him unconditionally. Everyone is someone's son.
What was your previous experience in motherhood or parenting?
I didn't have much experience. Except that in the last months I have lived surrounded by children and moms: the sisters and sister-in-law of my husband. They have three and four children each of them and whenever I am with their families there is calm, patience…
How do they live raising their children?
No stress. I didn't think it could be so simple and natural.
How did you act when your son arrived?
When the baby was born I didn't let him go to sleep for many days in a row. He didn't want to do anything other than hold him, watch his dream, feed him, clean him ... In fact, we still haven't parted for a moment.
What did you think or feel it would be to be a mother and what has been different?
I didn't know what it would be like to be a mother. I just repeated to myself that from now on I would always be accompanied by a small being that was going to depend on me. Physically I would not be alone in a long time. And so it has been, my baby is three months old and I have not yet separated from him for a moment and he is being wonderful. I must also recognize that he is a baby who has come to the world in peace and it is very rare to hear him cry a lot. He has no "cramps" and sleeps phenomenally.
How did you prepare for pregnancy and during pregnancy?
I think I read all the books that fell into my hands. Then I discovered that there was something like two schools regarding motherhood, childbirth, breastfeeding ... On the one hand, the natural school and, on the other hand, the most "classic", to call it somehow. Since I read “Kiss me a lot” by Carlos González I reaffirmed myself completely in the idea that during the first two years, love, sweetness and patience and, above all, I understood that a baby cries, among other things, so that you do not abandon it in the way. It is his instinct, they are not eager to annoy.
How was your delivery?
As for the delivery I was guided by the advice of Dr. Carmela Baeza, my sister-in-law, so natural and so simple, that the last two deliveries had them at home. I, with my first child, would not dare so much. Something could go wrong and I didn't know what I was facing, but I did want to surround myself with medical professionals with a more human and natural touch.
Did you want a natural birth then?
The woman has had children since the man is a man, let's not complicate it. Medicine is to help solve the problem but not to create it. So much I got into the idea of natural childbirth that I even convinced myself that I was not going to use epidural. But when the time came, when I was six centimeters dilated and after 24 hours of strong contractions, I gave up, cried and asked my doctor Gaia Zocci to please put it on. She, a great advocate of natural childbirth, encouraged me by telling me that childbirth should be enjoyed but that if it “overflows” for that there is medicine. So, they put the epidural on me and since then it was a walk, although the expulsion was slow and a little more difficult because of the callousness.
I do not change for anything in the world what I felt, that I would not know how to explain, when I had my baby warm, wet and stuck to my body, moaning very, very short.
I still get excited when I remember it. I will never forget. And also without a tear. Not a point. The massages work.
How are you living your breastfeeding?
I think breastfeeding is the best way to bond emotionally with the baby. I feed him on demand, anytime, anywhere. It is practical, clean and easy. Do not prepare bottles. It has been simple and natural and although I have had two mastitis with very high fevers, they have not lasted more than 24 hours each of them and although it has been painful, the best way to solve the problem has been to breastfeed and take out milk, just the opposite of what you want, but it works.
"I had so much to give you" is the song of mothers who did not get to see their children grow, what do you feel about that?
I know that the song has been chosen as a hymn in favor of life. Since I got pregnant and my son was born I believe that a child is a blessing from God or a gift of life, as everyone wants, but there is always room for a child, whatever, whatever. The problems will be resolved. There is nothing more important in life than life itself. To say this in public I know that I have lost many followers, but I do not care, because as an artist I am free to give my opinion and I am not imposing my opinion on anyone.
Have you stopped working to take care of your baby?
I have the great luck and the great privilege of having a very moldable job. I can practically schedule my schedule freely, I don't work in an office and I don't have more bosses than the public. That is why I can go with the baby everywhere and I have never stopped working. Right now I am preparing a new album. I was composing it throughout the pregnancy and, finally, we are in the pre-production phase. I really want my "other son" to go out soon. I think, if all goes well, the album will be ready for the beginning of the year.
How will you reconcile parenting and work later?
I will try to take the little one to work with me and with someone to help me when I cannot attend directly.
Tell me about your partner, what role does it have in parenting?
I like to respect his times and he respects ours. I think his most important work with the baby has not yet arrived. Although it is good to know that it is close to what we need. He loves to play with the baby in the morning while I get ready and he likes to sleep in his arms at night when he returns from work.
What do you try to offer your baby with your care?
I try to convey optimism, happiness and confidence. I try to raise him in a relaxed, musical and quiet environment.
Will the world change the way we raise our children?
Of course the world will change
When Nena Daconte was a mother this past June 14 I remember the emotion with which her sister-in-law, Dr. Kika Baeza, told me about the event and the care with which that new human being came into the world. To now be able to convey the beauty of that experience, with which I am sure you identify, I have loved it and I thank you very much Daconte babe having granted this interview to Babies and more. And it is true, Mai, being mothers is the best experience of life.
