Dani Ledesma: Discovers Motherhood Through Purposeful Parenting
From chaos to calm, creativity to intention—first-time mom Dani Ledesma shares how parenting with purpose isn’t about perfection, but presence and intention
“Motherhood taught me to live for the small moments,” Dani says. “Waking up next to my daughter, Millie, hearing her laugh, watching her discover the world, those are the things that matter.”
While these sound as picturesque as Dani’s Instagram feed, she admits that motherhood for her, even if she loves it, is not as smooth and easy. So when things get overwhelming, Dani turns inward. Her go-to tool? Mindfulness. “When I feel overwhelmed, I try to practice mindfulness by being present in the moment. For example, when Millie is throwing a tantrum, instead of me reacting to it and letting out my emotions, I would rather pay attention to my breathing, observe my thoughts, and simply let her go through her big feelings and be present for her.”
She also permits herself to let go of perfection and be present instead. “I had to adjust my mindset to embrace imperfection and remind myself kids will be kids. This is their time to be messy and chaotic.”
Inspired to Be Independent
Much of Dani’s parenting style comes from how she’s designed their home. Newly moved in, their little family is surrounded by lush greenery, but what was prioritized was the way Millie can explore her independence From toddler-sized tools to child-led activities, Dani’s home life reflects design that is focused not simply to make it “photo ready”, but for Millie to connect and love their home. “We designed our home so Millie feels included,” Dani explains. “At their age, their brains are like sponges. It’s about creating a Montessori-like home, from her toys to the furniture and all that.”
While Dani loves planning activities for Millie, she admits that each day is different, but she keeps on going for Millie. “Some days are slower and harder, so I give myself grace and focus on my simple presence and connection with Millie. She’s my biggest inspiration, and I try my best to give back that light and energy to her. And I guess you can say I am “healing my inner child”, I still have that kid in me who finds so much genuine joy in play and creativity. All I want is for her to grow up in a nurturing environment and to have a colorful childhood.”
The Healing Power of Nature
Dani’s creative parenting style thrives in unstructured, sensory-rich experiences. “I feel most inspired when I see Millie light up outdoors,” she shares. “There’s something grounding about nature. It heals both of us.” From beach days to park strolls and farm visits, nature is where both mother and daughter reset. At home, creativity takes the form of painting, pretend play, and reading.
Dani is intentional about creating a peaceful environment, both for herself and for Millie. That includes avoiding overstimulation and prioritizing the healing power of nature. “Being outdoors helped me so much postpartum. Whether it’s a park or out on a farm, for me, the outdoors is really healing, especially since I’m a stay-at-home mom; going out is good for me. Very healing and very grounding.”
Free to Be You
Despite the joy of motherhood, Dani is candid about the aspects she has had to grieve. “Every decision I make is not just for myself. For me, being a mom is the most selfless job, because I always have to think of my daughter and my family. I guess I grieve for my time, not being able to go out with my friends as often, and sacrificing my old life, where I could leave the house anytime I wanted. But I do believe in that balance, like I can’t imagine myself doing anything else and I am in my mama era, but still prioritizing self-care when you can, and like finding or still like valuing a life outside of being a mom.”
Self-care, she insists, isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. “Every day I wake up and take a few moments to set my intentions on how I want to approach motherhood – and I’ve found so much comfort in finding routines and go-to activities to foster a sense of calm amidst the chaos, making sure they actually help me rather than drain me. Taking breaks is so important, too.” Dani adds that her everything shower routine, getting enough sleep, a facial, or a walk are simple ways that remind her that she is still her own person. “That I do deserve a break from motherhood, from time to time.”
Finding a trusted companion in Biolane
Dani’s medical background has come in handy as a mom, playing doctor to Millie sometimes. She admits, though, that she’s like any regular first-time mom, even with a medical degree. “I am just like any first-time mom who shamelessly asks our pediatrician the most bizarre questions or searches for answers on Dr. Google. But yes, I guess to some extent, this background gives me a bit of certainty when I make all these judgements and decisions as a first-time mom.”
Her parenting style of decision making extends to choosing the proper baby care. Dani pays close attention to product ingredients, safety, and pediatric recommendations. That’s why Biolane has become a trusted part of her family’s daily rituals. “It started with mom friends recommending it. Once I tried it, I never looked back,” she shares. “There are just certain brands you resonate with as a mom, and for me, Biolane is one of those brands I trust deeply.”
When asked about which ones are constants in Millie’s skincare, she shares, “I love their Pure H2O—it’s a no-rinse cleanser, like a micellar water for babies. I use it on Millie after she plays outside, after a diaper change, or to make her punas at night. It cleanses and refreshes her without the need for soap. For bathtime, Biolane’s gentle shampoo scent is amazing, and its effects are also so good. Millie had no hair until she was around six months. When she started using this shampoo, her hair grew in and became so soft and luscious.”
Dani also swears by Biolane’s cologne and almond oil. “Ever since I became a mom, I’ve become more conscious of what I use. I don’t want strong scents when I’m carrying Millie, so I just use her baby cologne. It’s soft, clean, and smells like what a baby should smell like. I actually use this too, so as a mommy tip, if you use the same cologne as your baby’s, you’re sure it’s safe. It’s alcohol-free and made with 99% natural origin ingredients. For baby massages, Biolane’s Sweet Almond Oil is deeply nourishing that it’s a substitute for lotion on some nights. Baby massages are great for bonding, too.”
Thankfully, Biolane also offers fragrance-free products, perfect for those with sensitive skin. Dani says, “Millie has eczema, so sometimes we opt for their fragrance-free products. Biolane’s Topilane AD lane is a must-have. It soothes and protects without irritation, made for dry and atopic-prone skin.”
Her doctor-mom lens reinforces her trust in Biolane. “I look at formulations, clinical backing, and real mom reviews. With Biolane, everything just checks out.”
Trust your own path, take care of yourself
As a new mom navigating your new life and raising your child, you’re likely to be influenced by many different voices. Dani contemplates this and says, “It took me a while to realize that each of us has our own motherhood path. Working moms, stay-at-home moms, work-from-home moms, moms who work out, moms who travel often, and the list of the duality of motherhood can go on. And once you start to compare yourself to other moms, wondering how “they do it all,” that’s when you start to feel defeated and guilty. And to me, when I became a mom, my definition of success and productivity changed, especially coming from the medical field; it became much simpler as a stay-at-home mom.”
“Even if, on most days, all I want or can do is be a mom, I have to remind myself that to be the best mom I can be, I also need to take care of myself, my relationships, my spirit, and my mental health. My overall wellness is something I prioritize. I believe one of the most selfless things I can do for my family is to take care of my health.”
Asked what value she hopes to pass on to Millie, Dani says, “Don’t look anywhere else for validation. I want her to grow up and find a sense of worth and self-acceptance within herself. The world we live in today is filled with so much noise, comparison, and pressure, so I pray to raise a girl who knows she is free to be exactly the way she wants to be. And that I will cheer and clap for her so loud so that she’ll never notice who didn’t.”
Dani’s motherhood path may be unique to her, but a thread unites all mothers, and it’s that unconditional love we have for our kids that keeps us going. As Dani says, “Emotionally, I never knew how strong and capable I was until I became a mom. From the heights of joy and fulfillment to the depths of exhaustion, rage, and anxiety, but each day I show up for my daughter because of this unconditional love I have for her. I’ve truly found my purpose in motherhood. It’s like a spiritual awakening; it’s given me the direction and clarity I longed for so long in the past. Motherhood has broken me into pieces multiple times, only to shape me and for me to grow to become the best mom I can be. Always remember to enjoy your journey—take it day by day, and give yourself grace.”
In partnership with BIOLANE
Words MAITA DE JESUS
Photography KIERAN PUNAY
Makeup TWINKLE BERNARDO
Hairstyling ANGELI ALFONSO
Styling PATRICIA CORONADO
Shoot Coordination ANTHONY MENDOZA
Advertising Production Manager JASON JULIAN
Art Direction OWEN MADDELA
Sittings Editor MARGA MEDRANO-TUPAZ
Shot on location at SEDA MANILA BAY
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