Eva Mendes Opens Up About New Motherhood With Baby Esmeralda - Closer Weekly

Despite all the ups and downs of becoming a new mother, Eva Mendes says she’s loving every minute she spends with her baby girl, Esmeralda.

“I’m actually enjoying the sleepless nights because it’s bonding with my little girl,” the 41-year-old revealed in a new interview of her hands-on approach to parenting.

Ryan and Eva in September 2012.

Last September, the notoriously private star welcomed her first child with boyfriend Ryan Gosling, 34, after hiding her pregnancy from the public for nearly eight months. The pair met while costarring in the 2012 crime drama ‘The Place Beyond the Pines.’

Though Eva says she loves being a new parent, she admitted she doesn’t feel she’s “really earned the right” to dole out motherly advice.

“I want to respect all the moms out there. They’re going to be like, ‘You know what? You’re a few months in. Just shut up,'” she said.

Since giving birth less than six months ago, the ‘Hitch’ star also confessed she still takes time for herself to focus on getting her post-baby body back in shape.

Eva in the April 2015 issue of ‘Women’s Health’ magazine.

“I realized a long time ago that I needed to have some kind of routine,” she shared of her workout regimen, which includes running, interval sprints and weightlifting. “I don’t love it, but I’ve made peace with that.”

The actress added she often mixes her routine workouts with yoga or hikes with her trainer to keep up her motivation to exercise. As for her diet, Eva told ‘Women’s Health‘ magazine that cutting meat from her meals has kept her skin looking “brighter” and “healthier.”