Kylie Jenner is opening up like never before about her journey as a young mother, the challenges she faced, and how becoming a mom in her teens changed her life. In a revealing interview with Elle for their November cover story, the Kylie Cosmetics founder, now 27, spoke candidly about her early experiences with motherhood, the impact of pregnancy on her body, and how she’s adjusted to life as a mom of two. From discussing her struggle with postpartum depression to how she’s managing her children’s exposure to social media, Jenner gave an honest glimpse into her personal world.
Becoming a Mom at 19: Facing the Unexpected
At just 19 years old, Kylie became pregnant with her first child, daughter Stormi Webster, who is now 6 years old. She shares Stormi with her ex-partner, rapper Travis Scott. Reflecting on her first pregnancy, Kylie admitted that while she was excited to become a mom, there were a lot of surprising aspects of the experience that caught her off guard.
“I got pregnant when I was 19,” Kylie shared, emphasizing how early motherhood came with its own set of shocks. “Having a baby really young was more shocking, maybe, because I saw these changes happening to my body — all these new stretch marks and things that I didn’t have before.”
For Kylie, it wasn’t just about becoming a mother but also about reconciling with the physical changes that pregnancy brought. The sudden appearance of stretch marks and significant changes to her body were difficult to accept. As someone constantly in the public eye, dealing with societal beauty standards while watching her body transform was one of the toughest parts of her pregnancy. For a young woman who built her career in the beauty and fashion industry, the physical changes hit particularly hard, highlighting the pressure she felt to maintain her image while going through such a transformative time.
“I had never experienced such dramatic changes in my body before,” Kylie added. “And at 19, I was still figuring out who I was, so seeing my body change so drastically was something I wasn’t entirely prepared for.”
Battling Postpartum Depression: “I Felt Like I Was on Autopilot”
Another significant challenge Kylie faced was postpartum depression, a condition that affects many new mothers but isn’t often openly discussed by celebrities. After Stormi’s birth, Kylie said she struggled emotionally, feeling detached and overwhelmed by the whirlwind of motherhood.
“I felt like I was on autopilot,” she admitted. This feeling of being emotionally distant and simply going through the motions is something many women can relate to, and Kylie’s openness about her struggle is helping to shine a light on postpartum mental health.
Fortunately, Kylie had a strong support system in her family, particularly her sisters and close friends, many of whom are also mothers. She credits their guidance and emotional support for helping her through the tough days of adjusting to life as a young mom.
“My sisters were amazing,” Kylie said. “They really helped me navigate those emotions, especially since they’ve all been through it before. Having their support, along with my mom friends, made all the difference.”
Motherhood in Her 20s: Rediscovering Herself
Kylie’s journey didn’t stop with Stormi. A few years later, she and Scott welcomed their son Aire, now 2 years old. While much of her early twenties were focused on raising her children, Kylie admits that balancing motherhood with her personal identity was challenging. The toll of pregnancy and childbirth was significant not only on her body but also on her sense of self.
“The first part of my twenties was having children,” she explained. “It was about learning what my personal style was and then losing it—not knowing how to dress, gaining 60 pounds for both pregnancies.”
Kylie was known for her bold, trendsetting fashion before she became a mother. However, after two pregnancies and substantial weight gain, she felt disconnected from the person she was before. She revealed that it took about a year after each pregnancy to start feeling like herself again.
“It took me a year to feel like myself again after both pregnancies,” she shared. “I had to learn how to love and accept my new body, and that wasn’t easy. But now, at 27, I feel more confident and more like myself than ever.”
Kylie also spoke about the evolution of her fashion and style. Being a public figure, she felt a lot of pressure to look a certain way, but motherhood forced her to reevaluate what made her feel comfortable and beautiful.
“I had to redefine my style,” she explained. “After having kids, my priorities changed, and it wasn’t just about looking trendy anymore — it was about feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin.”
Keeping Her Kids Protected from Social Media
As someone who grew up in the spotlight, Kylie is deeply aware of the pressures that come with public scrutiny. In today’s digital age, social media plays a huge role in how people, especially young children, are exposed to the world. Despite her own fame, Kylie is determined to protect her kids, Stormi and Aire, from the social media spotlight for as long as possible.
“When I do share my children, I want it to come from me or their father,” she explained, highlighting the importance of maintaining control over how her kids are portrayed online. “It’s no socials for as long as possible.”
Kylie’s decision to limit her children’s exposure to social media isn’t just about shielding them from public attention — it’s also about giving them the freedom to grow up without the pressures of being in the spotlight. While Kylie often shares glimpses of her life with her fans, she’s mindful about what she posts regarding her kids.
“My kids deserve their privacy,” Kylie said. “They didn’t choose this life, so I want to protect them from it as much as I can. They can decide for themselves when they’re older.”
Stormi’s Sneaky Social Media Moves
Even though Kylie is strict about her children staying off social media, it seems Stormi has found ways to navigate around her mom’s rules. Kylie shared a funny anecdote about how her daughter has already picked up on TikTok dances, despite not being allowed to have her own account.
“Stormi will come home, and she’ll know full TikTok dances,” Kylie laughed. “I’m like, ‘Where did you learn this?’”
Despite her daughter’s clever moves, Kylie remains firm about her rules. She jokingly added that Stormi and Aire won’t be allowed to have their own social media accounts until they’ve moved out of the house.
“They can’t have their own accounts until they move out,” Kylie quipped. “And even then, we’ll see.”
