Shakira has opened up about why she decided to throw a baby shower for each of her children, in conjunction with UNICEF. The singer welcomed her firstborn son Milan in 2013, followed by her second little boy Sasha last January.
Both times Shakira celebrated the lead-up to her birth with a World Baby Shower, where she asked for gifts to be sent to other babies around the world who were in need of help.
Writing a blog post on babycenter, Shakira – who has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2003 – confessed that she hoped her two boys would appreciate what she'd done and be inspired themselves.
Shakira admitted she was "plagued" by motherhood worries before welcoming her first baby
"My hope is that by the time my sons are adults, they can look back and see how even small efforts can have a big impact when multiplied – and that they take the time to tackle the big questions of their time too," she wrote.
The Colombian beauty, who welcomed her sons with long-term partner Gerard Piqué, also admitted that she felt "more confident" during her second pregnancy. She said that the questions that kept her up at night were more manageable.
Shakira on her first baby shower for Milan: "I like to think that my son will feel proud one day"
"What I never want to forget, or stop questioning, is why every child and mother doesn't enjoy that same sense of security," she wrote, explaining how she was inspired to set up the charity baby showers to raise money to prevent infant and mother diseases or deaths.
"The positive response to the shower was overwhelming and emotional," wrote Shakira. "I like to think that my son will feel proud one day that the celebration of his birth impacted so many others."
Shakira and Gerard Piqué welcomed second son Sasha in January
In her honest post, Shakira also opened up about the worries that "plagued" her during her first pregnancy, from what kind of pram she should buy, to using a glass or plastic bottle. "Like any new mother, I wanted to do everything I could to ensure a safe, happy environment for my baby," she wrote.
There were some things the pop star knew for sure though – that her "baby would be enveloped with love," he would be born in a hospital with proper equipment and trained staff, and would have access to regular check-ups. This only made Shakira more inspired to carry out her charitable baby showers.
"As the time of my son's birth grew closer, I was full of anticipation," she wrote. "Nonetheless, with every gift that was given, I thought of mothers who couldn't count on even the most basic resources for their children."