Shakira Baby Weight Struggles Admitted
Shakira has faced the challenges of new motherhood this year, including the struggle to lose weight she put on while pregnant.
The "Whenever, Wherever" singer welcomed son Milan with boyfriend Gerard Pique on Jan. 22.
Since the arrival of her child, Shakira disclosed that getting back into her pre-baby shape was not easy, among other surprises of motherhood.
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"I didn't expect babies to need so many diapers," exclaimed the 36-year-old mother during the NBC Summer Press Day on Monday, according to US Weekly. "Nobody told me they needed to be changed so often!"
"I mean he's a great, great baby," Milan's doting mom added. "He's an easy one, I think. But nobody told me it would be this hard. It takes a lot of energy from you. But I love it, I'm really enjoying every bit of it. It's just that it's not as idyllic as everybody tells you, but also not as horrible as everyone tells you."
Furthermore, "The Voice" mentor noted the high demands placed on women by the entertainment industry as well as society to get back into shape following the arrival of a baby.
"I mean, I guess our mothers and grandmothers weren't under the pressure that women of today are after delivering a baby," explained the singer. "My dad says that there's nothing better than a little meat on the bone! He likes my mom a little chubby. So she was never under pressure to get back to her old weight, and she never did, actually!"
However, the Colombian singer headed back to the television studio to appear on "The Voice" just two months after baby Milan arrived.
"It's different, I have a career, and that's the only part that's been a bit stressful because I knew that I'd have to come back here to do 'The Voice,'" said Shakira. "I didn't have my four months maternity leave like every woman on earth has. So I'm not trying to complain, but it's been a process full of challenges in my life."
Although she is still "a few pounds over," Shakira said dancing during Zumba classes is helping her get back into shape.
Furthermore, the singer expressed gratitude for Milan's father, soccer player Pique.
"Thank God the father is very involved," she said of the 26-year-old. "He has been amazing. The baby spends as much time with me as he does with his dad. He's the kind of dad who's full hands on. He changes diapers, he bathes him, he enjoys playing with the baby … So that's a great help."
