Naya Rivera says becoming a mother made her ''more observant'' and ''truly selfless''.

The 29-year-old actress gave birth to her son Josey - whom she shares with husband Ryan Dorsey - 13 months ago, and says she's realised how ''selfless'' she is now that she has another life to care for.

She said: ''It's made me a much more observant person. [You realise] how truly selfless you become.''

''I hope to instil good morals and values in him. I want to teach him to be confident but kind, strong but not proud, and to always be in love with life.''

The star - who is known for playing Santana Lopez on musical drama 'Glee' - also opened up about her morning routine with her tot, saying that she only gets one hour off in the morning which she describes as ''invaluable''.

She added: ''Breakfast is usually at 8 and now that Josey is older, we try to go out for breakfast a few times a week. We also hit up Coffee Bean or Starbucks in the morning where Josey requests that I buy him a banana off the counter every time.

''We're back by 9 for his nap [and] I get an invaluable hour break. I use that time to answer emails and call my mum to tell her all the cute new stuff Josey did in the three hours prior.''

And in amongst all the time she spends on taking care of her son, Naya admits she finds it hard to settle down and make time for herself, but adds that it's all worth it for the love she gets in return.

She told Mini Magazine: ''Taking the time to not worry about your house or to-do lists or the baby is hard, but necessary.

''[It's] the love I get from him. Little things like the two kisses he stood up and gave me last night to say thank you for making him mac and cheese from scratch. It's a love never found anywhere or with anyone else.

''I'm going to cry so hard when the day comes that he doesn't want to hold my hand because it's not 'cool.' ''