Blake Lively says her parents are the best nannies.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively

The 28-year-old star - who has 18-month-old daughter James with husband Ryan Reynolds - says she doesn't employ a childminder because her mother Elaine and father Ernie help her out.

She told Australian magazine New Woman: "My parents are pretty much the nannies! They are the best baby nurses you could pray for. They raised five kids so they know what they are doing."

Blake, who is expecting her second child, also said she feels extremely fortunate to be a mother, despite being constantly exhausted.

She said: "It's tough when you get pooped on and barfed on, but having a baby is wonderful. Even when it's tough and I'm exhausted I think 'I am so fortunate.' When are looking at your child and she's laughing, it's hard to do anything else."

Meanwhile, Blake recently hit out at people who "celebrate" mothers dropping their pregnancy weight soon after birth.

Blake insists bodyshamers should lay off women who have just given birth and be grateful that another baby has come into the world rather than focus on how someone looks.

She said: "It's so unfair, because it's so celebrated. It's like, this is what someone can look like after a baby. I think a woman's body after having a baby is pretty amazing.

"You don't need to be Victoria's Secret ready right away because you just did the most incredible miracle that life has to offer. I mean, you gave birth to a human being.

"So I would really like to see that celebrated."