Kelly Clarkson is extremely protective of her eight-month-old daughter.

She said: "She's the happiest baby on the planet. She's been sleeping 11 to 12 hours since she was two months old. I do have some first-mom tendencies, though, like not wanting anyone but me driving her around, but I think I have a certain level of peace I didn't know was going to come with it."

While Kelly loves being a mother, she admits she never wanted children until she met her husband.

Speaking to the new issue of PEOPLE magazine, she explained: "I'm very much a gypsy at heart, and I just didn't think I would find someone who understood that about me. And it's a very selfless thing to be a parent, and my line of work can be a very selfish thing. I didn't want to bring someone into this world and screw them up.

"My whole life took a big 180. I know it sounds cheesy, but I've never felt how I feel about Brandon. We're honestly best friends."

The singer also revealed the bond she developed with her stepchildren Savannah, 13, and Seth, eight, made her want to have a baby with Brandon.

She said: "I didn't realise how much I would love (being a mom). I love going to games, I love the homework. I love the challenge of helping mould someone's life."

But Kelly worries River will feel pressure to follow in her footsteps.

She said: "I want her to feel like she can do anything and it matters. We want the kids to find their own niche."