Rock Star host Brooke Burke, 35, and her fiance David Charvet just welcomed daughter Heaven Rain last week, but before giving birth, Brooke posed for Fit Pregnancy’s Feb/March cover. Some highlights from the interview:
Tip: Get comfortable with being pregnant: "I love being a mother and being pregnant, and the more women can get comfortable with that, the better. It’s a remarkable stage in your life."
Brooke comes as a package deal: "We start shooting the third installment [of Rock Star] after the baby is born, so I’ll bring the baby and the nanny to the set. Nowadays people just have to accept that choice. My children and I are a package deal — that’s just the way it was. And now that more career women have babies, we can see that it is possible to accomplish so many things and still be a mother. I have chosen to be really devoted to my children. It’s all doable if you just commit to it.”
Parenting philosophy: "I’m pretty relaxed and I give my children a lot of freedom to explore the world. Most of the time I believe in letting kids go ahead and make their own mistakes — maybe even get a little hurt — and learn from them."
Balancing life with three daughters: Brooke tries to find ways to be involved with all of her children. She is active in her older daughters’ elementary and preschools, working in the library and contributing to projects around the schools. Also, Brooke plans to keep Rain close to her but keep her hands free to play with Neriah, 6, and Sierra, 4 1/2, by babywearing. She says, "I wear the baby, [I'm] definitely an attachment parenting person." In the past, Brooke has also been open about co-sleeping, breastfeeding (yes, with implants) and of course, we all know about the placenta!
Baby #4?: "[David and I] will probably have another soon — I’d love to have a son."
Brooke’s best advice for new moms: “I think as a new mom you are just trying to figure it out, you are trying to have everything in order, and you just can’t. You have to give yourself room to let things be the way they will be, take life day by day and figure out what works for you and your baby. Everybody tries to tell you the right thing to do, and you’re the only one who knows what’s really right. Be OK with the chaos, and spend some time alone with just you and the baby, I remember with my first, I just wanted to be with her and figure it all out by myself. You have to allow that.”
Source: Fit Pregnancy, cover shot exclusive to CBB.
Click ‘Read More’ for additional interview highlights.
On being pregnant the third time around: "[This pregnancy is] definitely different from my first two pregnancies. I’m a little more fatigued and not as active. But it’s been 5 years since my last and now I’m taking care of two children. I never got sick. But when I was pregnant with Neriah I was so worried about doing everything by the book, I was so strict with myself. With Sierra I was more relaxed. Now I try to listen to my body and not to everyone else’s opinion. That could drive you crazy. So the third time is an advantage."
Beauty advice from a former model: "I oil my body twice a day — on my belly, hips and breasts, I use something called Mother’s Special Blend ($12), it has shea butter and almond oil – but you can use just olive oil. I don’t think you need expensive beauty products, raw natural, oil is fine. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid stretch marks. Also wear a really good support bra, day and night – especially when you’re nursing."
On losing the baby weight: "I definitely am stricter nutrition-wise after I give birth and increase cardio work, but I can’t go too crazy, since I’m going to breastfeed. I need carbs for energy so I just avoid oil and sugar; I believe in good fats like nuts and avocado. I eat good food that I enjoy."
