We invited Annija Eglīte Vaļuškina, a mother of two children, for a conversation. She grew up in Riga and still calls the capital her home. Annija holds a bachelor's degree in contemporary dance choreography from Scotland. After finishing her studies, she returned to Latvia, where she met her husband. After some time, their first child, Marta, was born, followed by Jurģis. Although Annija is not currently working as a choreographer because she is raising two little ones, in her free time she dances folk dances with the JDK Imanta group. In addition to dancing, her hobbies include writing, traveling, and cooking. We will talk with Annija about the life of a new mother.
You've been a mother for almost 3 years now. How has your daily life changed since you became a mother?
By 180 degrees (laughs)! You have to slow yourself down a bit. You're always used to rushing. If you don't make it somewhere, you get really upset. Those are my inner feelings. Since I have children, I take these things easier. Peace settles in, although we don't like staying at home either, we gladly go out. Of course, a child introduces changes to daily life. You adapt to them, you live according to the child's daily schedule, at least that's definitely the case with Jurģītis.
Since you became a mother, you've also been active on social media, where you share content relevant to new mothers. It's no secret that the term "Instagram mom" has become common, so I wanted to find out how you came to create your profile on this platform?
I've always liked this platform, but before, when I lived in Scotland, I didn't use it actively. Then the little ones came along, and I started thinking more about the content I published. I don't know if I like the term "Instagram mom", and who does! (laughs). Of course, there are many people who react negatively to pictures being posted, for example, of children's faces, but that's another story. I use this platform when the little one is sleeping or when I have some free time. It's a kind of communication with the outside world, because if you're alone, it starts to get a bit lonely.
Screenshot from Annija's Instagram account @annijaeglite.
I noticed that on social media you also share reflections on difficult moments you've experienced. What do you think are the biggest challenges new mothers face – including you?
I have two different experiences – with Marta and with Jurģis. Marta was a very calm baby, she didn't need much attention, whereas Jurģis was very restless at first. Living at home, especially in the summer, with 2 children, was difficult. At first, we tried to compare Jurģis with Marta, but at one point we stopped doing that. We gave what was needed even more at that moment – attention, love, care, we went to physiotherapists. Of course, we cared for both equally, but Jurģītis had things that were more necessary than for Marta. When a second child comes into the family, you can't know how the first child will react. When we came home from the hospital with Jurģis, Marta reacted calmly, but she said she no longer loved me. Of course, she didn't mean it seriously. It was jealousy. Now that her little brother is older, their friendship has become stronger. Of course, there are many other difficulties, for example, with breastfeeding.
As far as I know, you also had a problem with your milk drying up while feeding Jurģis. How did you cope emotionally?
Of course, the beginning was difficult. Everything hurt. The word breastfeeding sounds harmonious and easy, and I believe there are mothers for whom it comes harmoniously, but with Jurģītis, it wasn't like that for me. At the very beginning – yes, but in the middle, he simply refused. Since he was more restless, it made me more anxious. Emotionally, it was harder, I felt like I was "falling apart" a bit. At one point, due to stress, my milk dried up. After that, I started using formula. Everything is fine, Jurģis is growing and developing, but of course, I would have liked to breastfeed him just as I breastfed Marta. As I mentioned before, those were two different experiences with the little ones.
How has the arrival of children in your family changed your eating habits?
I must say that nothing has changed for us. For us, shared meals are key. Of course, it's harder for Jurģītis, because until he can sit, he doesn't participate in our common meals; I feed him beforehand. I seated him in a special chair, and then we sat at the table and ate. We specially bought a large table so we could eat together. We eat the same things we always do – we bake, we braise, we boil. We are fond of chicken wings, which seems to have come from my sister, as she is a fan of this dish. We like "nachos", but we eat them very, very rarely. We also like grilled cheese sandwiches and roasted vegetables with sauce.
Continuing to talk about eating, this is a significant period in Jurģis's life, as, if I understand correctly, you have started "weaning". I know you've tried our Papu Papi bottle available in stores – what are your reviews?
Jurģis currently has difficulty digesting solid food, so we mainly eat only purees and porridges. Since we have the Papu Papi flexible bottle, we use it daily. Wherever we go, the bottle is usually in the bag. With this bottle, you can easily feed the little one. Jurģis also happily eats from it. He particularly enjoys porridges, from oat porridge to purees. The bottle is easy to clean; I sterilize it in the evenings when the little one goes to bed, so the bottle is clean the next day. There are really no problems. I also like convenient and practical things that can be used, not just put away in the back of the shelf. The bottle is definitely something that can be used. When I stop using it, I'll give it to a friend, as I know many mothers.
Do you have a favorite puree recipe?
Yes, Jurģis really likes pumpkin. His favorites are pumpkin, carrot, cauliflower, and sweet potato purees. You can also use regular potato, but this is Jurģis's favorite puree. We mostly use pumpkin in all our purees.
It's understandable that the life of a new mother brings many challenges, perhaps you get to know yourself from a different perspective, so I want to ask – what do you wish for new mothers?
To take everything as calmly as possible! Don't try to do everything at once. Allow yourself to rest. Allow yourself to occasionally get out of the house and let someone take care of you. No one will go anywhere. Self-care is very important!
-1.jpg)
Interview prepared by RITO marketing department.
