Khloe Kardashian says doctor offered to help her bond with son

Despite the dominant narratives about parenting, many parents do not immediately bond with their baby upon birth. Khloé Kardashian understands this, explaining how it took her longer to connect with her son Tatum after he was born than it did with her firstborn, daughter True.

The reality star was a guest on the May 7 episode of the SHE MD podcast with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney, and she got candid about how different her experiences were with her two children. Although she gave birth to True herself, she worked with a surrogate for the second time, welcoming Tatum in July 2022. During the pregnancy, news broke that her boyfriend, Tristan Thompson, had had a baby with another woman while the couple’s surrogate mother was pregnant, contributing to her struggles. She also kept her surrogate’s pregnancy a secret, even from her closest family and friends.

Sharing how hard she had choosing Tatum’s name, she revealed: “It was hard for me. I wasn’t wearing it, I didn’t really feel anything. She did not legally give him a name for eight months after his birth.

Kardashian said she doesn’t accompany her surrogate to many doctor’s appointments in an effort to protect her privacy, leading to an overall feeling of less connection. “And then the first week of December, I found out that my ex was actually having a baby with someone else,” she continued. “And I never told my family that I had transferred. I wasn’t going to tell anyone until it was necessary, because I wanted to surprise everyone. So no one knew. She didn’t even decorate the baby’s room for fear the staff or film crew of the family’s reality show would find out, adding that she was “ashamed”.

Kardashian admitted she “buried her head in the sand,” adding: “I was really detached. I couldn’t really deal with it. I definitely think I was in denial. When the news broke Thompson’s final indiscretion was announced, “It devastated me because that’s when all the judgment and knives were thrown at me.”

Right before Tatum was born, Kardashian planned to take True on a trip to Disneyland, but her surrogate was due to give birth as soon as possible. “The baby wasn’t due for another week or two and it was my last weekend with my daughter True,” she said, “I just needed the weekend.”

Dr. Aliabadi came to help Kardashian “get through it,” offering to take baby Tatum home to give her some time. “She says, ‘You know what?’ I’m going to give birth. I’m going to take the baby and you let me know when you’re ready to pick him up,'” Kardashian said. “And I was like, ‘What?’ I’m like, ‘Who does this? Who even suggests this? And she did. And I remember being like, “Khloé, let it go.

Of course, most new parents barely spend a single night in the hospital, let alone have a doctor offer to take care of their baby for them. But Kardashian’s hesitation and difficulty connecting with her baby is comparable to so many new moms, and it’s completely normal and natural if you don’t have a perfect pregnancy, delivery, and beyond. Every feeling is valid, and support from loved ones and doctors can help you get through these difficult times.