Khloé Kardashian is sharing her experiences and the "challenges" she encountered while trying to bond early on with her almost 2-year-old son, Tatum, who was born via surrogate.
The "Kardashians" star and her former partner, Tristan Thompson, a player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, welcomed Tatum, their second child, via surrogate on July 28, 2022.
In a heartfelt conversation on the "SHE MD" podcast with hosts Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney, Kardashian opened up about her journey to motherhood the second time around, admitting that it never quite felt real to her because she wasn't the one carrying the pregnancy.
As a patient of Dr. Aliabadi, Kardashian shared that initially, she chose not to inform her family about the embryo transfer because she wanted to surprise them with the baby news. However, following Thompson's publicized involvement with another woman, she opted to keep the embryo transfer a secret.
"And then throughout the entire pregnancy of my surrogate, I admittedly buried my head in the sand and I said to Dr. A, ‘Look, I can’t do this.’ And the whole surrogacy pregnancy, I was really detached. I couldn't really face it," the reality star revealed candidly.
Reflecting on her experience, Kardashian admitted she was in "denial" about the entire situation and struggled to form an attachment during the pregnancy. "So I didn’t get to really attach during the pregnancy part," she explained.
Later in their conversation, the hosts reassured Kardashian that many mothers who welcome babies via surrogacy face similar challenges in feeling an initial connection with their newborns.
Kardashian, describing surrogacy as "an incredible blessing," disclosed that she openly addressed her concerns about bonding with Tatum in the first episode of Season Two of "The Kardashians."
"I am very honest about my surrogacy journey, and I was so scared to be so honest because I think it’s not normal that a mother doesn’t feel an instant love for their baby," she shared with the hosts. "But then I did a lot of work, and I’m obsessed with Tatum now. But it took me months. I’m not going to lie," she added, contrasting her immediate bond with her and Thompson's older child, daughter True, who recently turned 6.
In April, Kardashian celebrated True's birthday with a heartfelt tribute on social media. On her Instagram Stories, she shared various photos of her daughter, including throwback snapshots and images from the birthday celebration, expressing her love and admiration for the person True is becoming.
Khloé Kardashian shares a sweet throwback photo holding daughter True.@khloekardashian on Instagram
Read on for everything to know about Kardashian and Thompson's children.
Kardashian and Thompson welcomed their son via surrogacy in July 2022
Tatum Thompson was born via surrogate on July 28, 2022. In August 2022, a representative for the television personality confirmed to YEPPOST Parents that she and her ex, Thompson, had welcomed their son.
In California, when a baby is not named before leaving the hospital, they are listed on paperwork using their mother's last name until the child's parents file Official Legal Parentage (OLP) documents to change it.
Tatum Thompson has been called Tatum for some time
In May 2023, Kardashian revealed in the third season premiere of "The Kardashians" that she had decided to name her son Tatum.
During the episode, the Good American founder shared her struggle in choosing a name for her son. "At first, I really did not know what I was going to name him," she explained. "I wanted to meet him and feel him out a little bit. And so, at first, he didn’t have a name. Then, he’s been named, but I’ve been waiting for the premiere of our show, and I didn’t know it was going to be this far out, so now, if my daughter outs me, I’m screwed."
In July 2023, Kardashian celebrated Tatum’s first birthday on her Instagram page, referring to him by his name, Tatum, in the post.
"Happy birthday, my sweet son!" Kardashian captioned the post, which included a photo of her holding Tatum on her hip.
In the caption, Kardashian addressed Tatum by his name, even though it had not yet been legally updated. "Tatum, You have changed mine and True’s lives forever," she wrote. "We both needed you. I knew she would be a fantastic, loving older sister, but I don’t think I ever could’ve imagined the love and bond you guys already have."
Tatum was born just months after Thompson welcomed a child with another woman
Tatum marks Thompson's fourth child.
The Canadian-American basketball player welcomed his first child, Oliver Prince, in December 2016 with his former girlfriend, Jordan Craig.
Following Oliver, Thompson and Kardashian welcomed their daughter, True Thompson, born in April 2018.
Nearly three years later, in December 2021, Thompson welcomed his third child and second son, Theo Thompson. At the time, Thompson was in a relationship with Kardashian but publicly acknowledged cheating with model Maralee Nichols.
In a statement on his Instagram story, Thompson addressed the paternity test results, confirming his fatherhood of Maralee Nichols' child. He took full responsibility for his actions and expressed his commitment to amicably co-parenting their son.
Thompson also directed an apology to Kardashian, acknowledging the hurt and humiliation he caused her. He expressed remorse for his behavior over the years and conveyed his respect and love for her, emphasizing that his actions did not align with his feelings towards her.
True Thompson is Kardashian's first child
True Thompson, the daughter of the reality star and basketball player, was born on April 12, 2018. True is the second child of Tristan Thompson.
In 2018, Kardashian revealed the name of her daughter in a post shared on her Instagram four days after giving birth.
"Our little girl, True Thompson, has completely stolen our hearts and we are overwhelmed with LOVE," Kardashian captioned the post announcing her daughter's name. "Such a blessing to welcome this angel into the family! Mommy and Daddy loooooove you True!"
On April 12, Kardashian celebrated True's 6th birthday with a heartfelt message on Instagram. Sharing a photo of her daughter dressed in pink, she wrote, "You changed my life forever and I love every part of who you are. Your smile, your laugh, the sass you get when you dance, your independence (even though that also makes me inside cry lol), the way you love. Love me, love Tatum, love your cousins, love Lovey, love your daddy. You are love. My love."
Happy 6th birthday, True!@khloekardashian on Instagram
In another Instagram Story, Kardashian expressed her adoration for her daughter's personality and praised the person True is becoming.
“You are my heartbeat, my happiness, my soul, my truth. My Tutu forever. Love Mommy x,” she wrote.
Kardashian aims to be a ‘maternal influence’ for niece Dream
Despite already being part of a large family and serving as an aunt to 10 children, Kardashian feels a special connection with one niece in particular.
On Season Three, Episode Eight of “The Kardashians,” Kardashian expressed that she perceives herself as a “third parent” to her 6-year-old niece, Dream.
“I do know how important it is for Dream to have a great maternal influence — whether that be from me or her own mom or whoever. It’s important and wherever she gets it from, she gets it from,” Kardashian shared on the show.
Scott Disick also chimed in on Kardashian's role in Dream's life, remarking, “I just can’t believe that you’re like somewhat of a co-parent to Dream. You’re like, more than an aunt.”
“Probably more than an aunt, but just a third parent,” Kardashian responded.
In a confessional, Kardashian elaborated further, stating, “Dream is one of my babies too, just like all the rest of them, and I absolutely love being a mom to people. I love mothering people, I don’t know if they like that or not but it’s so in my blood just to be a mom, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Later, Kardashian clarified on her Instagram story, emphasizing her love for all her nieces and nephews while acknowledging her particularly close relationship with Dream.
“My brother and I are extremely close. I am with Dream all the time because I’m with my brother all of the time,” she wrote on her Instagram story, per People. “I love her beyond measure. True and Dream are best friends and I feel so incredibly blessed they have this relationship."
Kardashian is committed to maintaining peace with her ex
Despite no longer being together, Kardashian and Thompson have demonstrated a strong commitment to co-parenting their children.
In a June 2023 episode of “The Kardashians,” Kardashian offered insight into her relationship with the father of her two children.
“Tristan and I, we always get along great,” Kardashian shared about her ex. “Him and I have a great friendship-relationship, we get along fine. And for my kids, I will put anything to the side. What’s done is done, so what would I still be holding on to something for? I don’t need to punish him because I’m not getting back with him.”
During the same episode, Kardashian discussed how she maintains a healthy and platonic relationship with Thompson by establishing clear boundaries. Among these boundaries is ensuring that he only visits her residence when their children are present.
“These boundaries are crucial to maintain with Tristan because we’ve been through this cycle a few times before. I’ve reconciled with him after a cheating scandal, so I understand why Tristan might think, ‘Oh, maybe we’ll reconcile again,’” Kardashian explained to her mother, Kris Jenner. “I see where he’s coming from. Therefore, it’s up to me to set boundaries that demonstrate otherwise.”