Iza Calzado-Wintle has made her first public appearance since giving birth.
The new mom was glowing, energetic, and attentive to the invitees and the press people at the Edamama #NewMamaExpo2020 last April 14, 2023, at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2.
She even entertained a lot of questions from the media, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
For a period of time, Iza took a social-media break so she could focus on giving birth and enjoying the first few weeks together with the baby, Deia Amihan.
On January 25, 2023, she posted a photo with her husband Ben Wintle with the caption: "We humbly ask for love and prayers as we enter this new chapter of our lives.
"Will be taking a short social media break as I go through matrescence and experience its joys and challenges."
ON KEEPING THINGS PRIVATE
Iza tells PEP.ph about her decision to keep things private at first.
She explains that as much as she appreciated receiving the congratulatory messages, she needed some time to herself and her budding family.
"Knowing me, I would want to respond to most, if not all the messages, because that’s how I’m hardwired and that’s going to take time away from my child.
"And then if I don’t get to respond, I’ll feel bad.
"So, I didn’t want that na and it was good to just focus on her [Deia Amihan] because there was a lot to understand.
"There were a lot of things pa. Buti na lang talaga I made that decision because so many things were happening na around that time.
"It was a challenging time but also very fulfilling and rewarding."
Iza finally posted a photo showing Deia Amihan’s face on April 26, 2023. Soon after, portraits of the whole Calzado-Wintle family followed.
When asked what having a child has taught Iza, she shares, "Madami talaga akong discoveries before pa, na even while pregnant, so many things were coming up.
"And, you know, a friend said, parenthood can be healing. It has been. It brings a lot of things to the surface and makes me remember my parents.
"I think about them, and, at the same time, I look forward to the future of being with this child and the life we are building together with this blessing."
In 2019, Iza bravely revealed how her mother took her own life in 2001, when Iza was 19 years old. Her father Lito passed away in 2011, after battling liver cancer.
IZA AS A MOM
Iza puts an effort into being a hands-on mom and letting things be. She says she can’t be far from her child for too long.
"I can’t leave her yet. She’s actually quite near lang," she says, admitting that she insisted to get ready for the Edamama event nearby with her baby.
"Hindi pa ako nakakalayo so that’s how I am now. Not so praning, I think Ben and I are relatively chill. But we have our moments."
As much as Iza spent more than an hour talking to the press, she’s far from being the type to patronize. She doesn’t want to give advice, but rather, simply share her own experiences to find common ground.
"The best mother advice I’ve ever received is from Divine Lee: There is no advice.
"Cause there will be a lot of advice and it can get too much, so you don’t have to listen to everybody.
"Just smile and say, 'Okay.' Sometimes, you just have to be dedma, people will always have something to say and you should know who to listen to.
"And at the end of the day, it’s you and your baby.
“You’re making your own decisions. Obviously, I am a new mother. Kinakapa ko pa lahat ito.
"Every day I am learning something about my baby and about myself. But being in show business and being in the spotlight has taught me not to listen to every criticism and not let it get to your head.
"If they also tell you na, 'Wow you’re doing such a good job as a mom,' take it and be grateful. Tomorrow is another day. Enjoy the process."
She also further elaborates that caring for yourself is also caring for the baby.
"In terms of dealing with the postpartum aspect, what I have discovered is that you should take care of yourself.
"It sounds selfish but it shouldn’t be selfish. Because if you are whole, then the baby receives the best kind of care from you.
"Do what you need to do to feel as well-rested as possible.
"Whatever it is, the decisions you make for yourself and for your baby, you have to make sure you feel good about it ’cause when you feel good, the baby feels good ’cause they co-regulate, di ba, so it’s important."
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