Marian Rivera is grateful that she has enough breast milk to give Baby Ziggy.
The 35-year-old Kapuso mom produces so much breast milk that she has also been able to donate some for other babies in need.
At the press launch of her latest endorsement deal with a supermarket on Tuesday, October 8, Marian shared some of the things she does to naturally increase her breast milk supply.
Maria revealed to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press that she prepared the moment she found out that she was pregnant.
"Nung nalaman ko na buntis ako, kinondisyon ko ang sarili ko. Malaking tulong kasi na kinukundisyon mo ang isip at katawan mo na magpapadede ka," she said during the question and answer segment of the event held in W Mall, Pasay City.
She added, "Kapag nandun na yun, sasamahan mo ng pagdadasal. Nag-novena talaga ako kay [Our Lady] of La Leche para pagkalooban talaga ako ng maraming gatas."
Also known as Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery), Our Lady of La Leche is an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary breastfeeding the infant Jesus. She is also the patroness of mothers and mothers-to-be.
Marian also noted the benefits of eating malunggay and drinking a lot of water.
She said, "Ang pagkain ng malunggay. Mapalad ako dahil sa Cavite, may tayo kaming puno ng malunggay so every week, may dala ang nanay ko sa akin na fresh malunggay.
"At siyempre kailangan palaging masabaw ang kinakain mo."
Marian continued, "At isa pa, literal, uminom ka ng maraming water."
The Kapuso mom of two also reminded moms not to be so conscious about their figure and to avoid dieting just to lose the pregnancy weight.
She explained, "Pag nagpapa-breastfeed ka, hindi ka puwedeng mag-diet, di ba? Kasi anong nutrisyon ang maibibigay mo sa anak mo kung iisipin mo yung katawan mo na, 'Ay kailangan mag-diet ako.'
"Kasi once na mag-diet ka, yung amount of milk, mawawala or mababawasan.
"Siguro ano lang, medyo pinagpala ako na petite talaga ako, pero hindi ibig sabihin na chuma-chubby ang nanay...
"Kahit anong shape basta nanay ka, nagpadede ka or whatever, para sa akin, kapag tinignan ka ng anak mo, yun na yung pinaka-priceless sa buhay mo.
"So never mind the shape."
Marian and her husband Dingdong Dantes already have two children: Zia, who will celebrate her fourth birthday this December, and Ziggy, who was born in April.