BEAUTY & BRAINS… AND NOW, A BABY! - Nazirah Nasir Shares Her Joys & Experiences In The Early Days of Motherhood

BEAUTY & BRAINS… AND NOW, A BABY! – Nazirah Nasir Shares Her Joys & Experiences In The Early Days of Motherhood

Parenthood October ’23 Cover Star- Nazirah Nasir, Wardrobe by: Polo Ralph Lauren

 

Becoming a new mum is a transformative journey that brings a mix of emotions, challenges, and joyful moments. From the moment a woman discovers she’s expecting, her life takes on a whole new dimension. It’s a universal experience that women from all walks of life can relate to, whether they’re pursuing a career or have academic achievements to their name.

 

Gracing our cover this October is Nazirah Nasir, 26, known for not only her beauty but her brains as well. She is the youngest of five sisters and has a PhD in molecular bacteriology. On the 14th of July 2023, Nazirah and her husband Umar Mukhtar welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl- Nur Helena.

 

During a recent interview, she shares her experiences in the whirlwind adventure of motherhood. Her journey is a heartwarming blend of intellect, charm, and a dash of humour, and it reflects the incredible diversity of experiences among new mothers everywhere. Let’s dive into her world and discover relatable moments that every new mum can resonate with.

 


Becoming a Mum

When Nazirah found out she was pregnant, she was the happiest girl in the world. “The day I did the pregnancy test, my husband was actually out of town so I had to wait for 2 days (which felt like 2 years) for him to come back so the excitement definitely built up big!” It’s a feeling all mums can remember, that instant when you realise life is about to change in the most beautiful way.

“The day I did the pregnancy test, my husband was actually out of town so I had to wait for 2 days (which felt like 2 years)!”

Throughout her pregnancy, Nazirah tackled both physical and emotional preparations. “Physically, we just moved into a new house, so I was really excited to decorate her room,” she says. Emotionally, her concerns about her baby’s safety led her to scrutinise food labels and switch to organic products. Every mum understands the nesting urge and the desire to create a safe haven for their little one.

 

The day her baby girl arrived had its share of memorable moments. Nazirah recalls a humorous twist: “My husband insisted we head to the hospital when I started having contractions, but I wanted to go to the salon to wash my hair first! Obviously he said no,” she laughed.

“My husband insisted we head to the hospital when I started having contractions, but I wanted to go to the salon to wash my hair first!”

Thankfully, Nazirah’s pregnancy journey was relatively smooth, with no major challenges. She humorously adds, “The biggest challenge would be trying to find an outfit to wear.” Every new mum can relate to the struggle of fitting into pre-pregnancy clothes!

 

 

The Early Days at Home

The first few days and nights at home were a learning curve for Nazirah and her husband. “It definitely took some time for us to adapt, especially the night time feed, and the constant check to see if she was still breathing. I was still learning how to make her latch properly during feeding, and also understanding my baby’s cues figuring out what each cry means.” she recalls. After about 2 months, Nazirah and Umar no longer worry about those things.

 

For Nazirah, family and in-laws have been her rock ever since her journey as a mother started. Their assistance allows her to rest and get things done, a lifeline that all new mums can appreciate. She also believes in keeping the relationship between husband and wife alive and goes on date nights every 2 weeks- isn’t that great?! “I believe it makes our bond stronger, and we’re able to go to places that are not stroller friendly,” she says. Once a week, they also allow each other to have an outlet to release stress. Umar enjoys golfing while Nazirah enjoys going to events with her sisters or going for a spa!

 


Perspective on Life Since Motherhood

Motherhood has transformed Nazirah’s perspective on life. She cherishes her parents even more and acknowledges the sacrifices they made. “Ever since I became a mum, every time I see my parents I would always hug & kiss them a little longer. Now I know how tough it is to be a mother, all the pain and sacrifices you have to take to raise a child – there’s honestly no way to repay them for taking care of me,” she says. Her newfound appreciation for the challenges of parenthood extends to her husband, recognizing the shared journey they now embark on.

“Ever since I became a mum, every time I see my parents I would always hug & kiss them a little longer.”


Growing Up..

What also intrigued us here at Parenthood was also how close Nazirah is with her sisters and family members, which made us wonder what was it like for Nazirah growing up among 4 other sisters, and how did her parents raise such a humble, smart and kind hearted person?

 

Nazirah shared that “in terms of education, my parents have never forced me to get a degree of their choice or compared me to other people. Even when I had exams, they never told me to study all day & they never put me under pressure. They let me choose what I want to do but at the same time they’ll advise me on what’s best and that is something that I would do to my baby girl. I believe if you force a person to do something, they’re doing it unwillingly. It should come from their heart, by then they should be big enough to think what is right and what is wrong.”

 

Tips & A Message To New Mums

As a new mum, Nazirah believes that one of the qualities that parents need is to be good at time management. “Taking care of an infant is all about having a proper routined schedule otherwise you can’t get anything done,” she says.

 

“Taking care of an infant is all about having a proper routined schedule otherwise you can’t get anything done.”

She also believes that motherhood is a beautiful journey that no doubt has its ups and down. “At the end of the day, be proud of what you’ve created. A little human being that has your features, has your husband’s name as her last name and soon will be telling you mummy I graduated with first class honours! Haha okay I’m way far ahead.”

 

Nazirah Nasir, with her blend of beauty, brains, and humour, represents the remarkable journey of motherhood. Her story is a reminder to all new mums that it’s okay to embrace the ups and downs, to create your own family traditions, and to cherish every moment together. After all, as Nazirah aptly puts it, “This is your own family; enjoy this moment together, do everything together, and love each other endlessly! #familycomesfirst.”

With a background of empowering women through talkshows on all thing Womanhood, it was natural for Lily to start empowering women on one of the biggest role they carry (a mother) after having one of her own. As a millennial mum with 2 young boys herself, she understands what new parents are going through and seeks to empower, inspire and ease parents on their biggest adventure yet- Parenthood!