Celebrity mom shares daughter’s memorable ‘toddlerhood’ milestones

“Don’t grow up too fast!”

This is probably one of the most common phrases you would hear from parents of young kids. The growing up years can be some of the most challenging, yet fun-filled ones for toddlers and their parents alike. As we spent more time at home during the last two years, we got to share more time with our little ones and witness more of their milestones.

Celebrity mother of two, Marian Rivera-Dantes, looks back at some of her six-year old, Zia’s memorable achievements which can also be noted as signs of good nutrition:

Remarkable physical indicators
Marian shares that her husband calls Zia “Little Miss Malakas” as the 6-year-old is quite the helper around the house. “Mapa-groceries, gardening, flower arrangement, luto – nagbubuhat na ng kung anu-ano. Good sign ‘yun na lumalaking strong at okay ang development ng muscles niya.” Marian recalls being worried before as Zia was on the slim side, but she soon realized that there was nothing to be anxious about. Zia’s weight was right for her height, and she rarely got sick. “’Yun pala okay lang, basta tama ‘yung weight at height niya for her age…iba talaga ‘pag malakas at hindi sakitin ang mga bata.”

Healthy appetite

Zia’s notable physical markers can be attributed to her good appetite. While many children are fond of the usual fried chicken or spaghetti, the cheerful girl prefers something else. “Naku, magugulat kayo! Ang hilig niyan sa fried tilapia at ginataang gulay! Request niya yan lagi. Pero kahit ano naman pagkain, walang inaatrasan yan. Good appetite na si Zia simula bata pa.”

Mental alertness and independence
Marian also supports her kids’ mental growth by letting them explore. “Hindi madali pero naniniwala ako na by letting Zia do things on her own, mas marami siyang matututunan, not just about the world around her but also about herself.” As a result, Zia has grown to be independent and mentally alert. Marian shares that Zia can now prepare her own glass of milk. “Mahilig rin siya magbasa. Todo proud ako kasi sign ‘yan ng mental alertness. Ngayon pati si Ziggy binabasahan na niya”, she expounds.

The 37-year old mom discloses that parenting in the time of a pandemic unloaded its own challenges. For one, Zia could not immediately understand why she couldn’t go out and be with her classmates like before. Marian simply told her that a virus is going around and making people sick, hence the need to stay home. She added that some people who catch the virus do not recover from it, and Zia understood this practical explanation.

Of course, there is also the task of finding the balance between her children’s need for consistency and protecting their health. To address this concern, Marian has relied on basic nutrition principles and a trusted nutrition partner. She highlights that it is important for moms to be confident in letting children do the things that they were used to by ensuring that they get the nutrients needed for their age.

When Zia was three years old, Marian looked for a milk that can keep up with her growing up years. She chose Nestle® NIDO® 3+, the milk that helps protect and support toddlers and preschoolers. As one of Nestle’s heritage brands, NIDO® 3+ is formulated with the expertise of global and local scientific professionals who study what Filipino children need in this critical stage of development. Seeing how NIDO® 3+ made Zia todo protected, and how she loved its taste, Marian naturally transitioned to NIDO® 5+.

Marian trusts NIDO® 3+ and NIDO® 5+ because they help keep Zia protected in this new normal. “Panatag ako kasi NIDO® is also enriched with many vitamins and minerals for toddlers aged 3 years and up na wala sa regular powdered milk drinks… And NIDO® is recommended by 9 out of 10 moms kaya ito talaga ang pinili ko.”

It is also important to keep track of children’s development by checking the signs of good nutrition: Not Sickly, Right Weight for Height, Mentally Alert, Good Appetite, Good Muscle Development, Regular Bowel Movement, Good Sleep, Clear Eyes, Clear Skin and Shiny Hair. You can read about how experts from Nestle guide moms in understanding what nutrients can contribute to these signs of good nutrition on their website.

Children’s growing up years can truly seem like they go by fast. This is why it is important for parents to make every moment with their toddlers count with quality time, emotional support, and of course toddler-expert nutrition. Like Marian, who knows that good nutrition lays the foundation for a child’s development, we must find a partner that can help make our children ProtecTodo just like Zia. So moms, start their #NIDOProtecTodo journey and check the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition!

To learn more about how NIDO® 3+ and NIDO® 5+ can help your toddler in his or her growing up years, visit the NIDO® website. Get a hold of Marian’s #1 parenting allies during Zia’s toddler and growing up years in the official NIDO® online store.

ASC Ref No N017P120321NS

Disclaimer: NIDO 3+ & 5+ are not suitable for infant feeding and are not breastmilk substitutes.