Supermodels are just like us, right? Okay, maybe not, but when it comes to motherhood, we’re all in the same proverbial boat (some days we sink, others we swim). 31-year-old Karlie Kloss might be 40 Fashion cover and one of Times “most influential people”, as well as its founder Kode with Klossy, a free coding program for teenagers that she founded in 2015. But every day, the mom of two changes a diaper or wipes spit up from her shirt, proving that she’s a hands-on mom, just like the rest of us.
“The experience of putting your child’s needs above your own and now having both Levi’s [2] and Ilias [7 months] it continues to change for me every day. “As a mom, I feel empowered to support other moms, reminding them that even though your experience is personal, we’re all on this journey together,” Kloss tells Motherly.
This is exactly what prompted Kloss to join the babycare brand Clique— for which it is an angel investor— in a new one campaign which explores the natural maternity journey both before and after childbirth.
“The message of this campaign is so important to women and moms because it serves as a reminder to celebrate the changes and new version of themselves that come from pregnancy and childbirth. It’s a physical and emotional transformation that we as moms should be proud of,” shares Kloss.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body transforms dramatically. Energy expenditure doubles, ligaments stretch and stretch, the chest expands 2-3 inches, the breasts prepare for milk production, and the heart pumps 50% more blood in about 290 days. And all this before the first diaper is even changed.
“Postpartum is different for everyone. I struggled to navigate this new normal that was my life the first time with Levi, and now, with a second baby added to the mix, I’ve learned that there is no perfect way to do anything, and I take each day as it comes. Throughout this journey, I leaned on my village, meaning the moms around me and my closest friends, for support.”
Kloss also relies on several essentials to help her navigate her busy life as a tech titan, model, wife and mom of two. We asked Kloss about her motherhood essentials, what she can’t live without these days, and what she wishes she’d known sooner.
Karlie Kloss’ maternity must-haves
Keep learning
One tip that Kloss lives by? No matter how long you’ve been a mom, there’s always room to learn and grow. “One of the biggest things that has kept me motivated throughout my career, business and time as a mom has been my openness to learning. I recognized early on in my career that the only way to succeed was to pay attention to the people around me and those who came before me and try to emulate those women and voices that inspired me and that I looked up to. In all of these areas, but especially as a mom, you’re never going to have all the answers, but there’s real peace in recognizing that and being willing to always be open to advice and counsel along the way,” says Kloss.
And as hard as it is, don’t sweat the small stuff. “When you’re a mom, especially a first-time mom, everything seems like the end of the world. Every rash, bump, bruise, hiccup, or tantrum… can make you fear you’re doing something wrong as a mom. But one of my thoughts that always brings me back to balance is that no one is going to love them more or want better for them than I do,” she adds. “My journey into motherhood so far has been chaotic but full of amazing little moments that I will cherish forever. [It] it has changed every part of my life and who I am.”
