There are no secrets with Chrissy Teigen: She'll tell anyone (and everyone) exactly how she feels and will do it with a comedic finesse that makes her irresistible to listen to. Her show-stopping career as a model and cookbook author has taken people by storm, and now, her career as a mother has her fans more captivated than ever before.
Back in 2013, she married John Legend, and in 2016, they welcomed their first baby together, Luna Simone Stephens. Then, the couple had their first son — the bouncing baby Miles Theodore Stephens.
Since the birth of their first two children, Chrissy has faced the absolute best parts of motherhood — and the absolute worst, including a mid-term pregnancy loss that devastated their family in 2020, and she's faced a ton of criticism along the way.
Being famous can be a total drag when people are dissecting every move a mother makes. It was difficult enough for Chrissy to struggle with infertility and postpartum depression, let alone having to deal with mommy shamers before and after the birth of her children — but she's always dealt with backlash in the most Chrissy way possible. (Get bent, haters!)
Since then, Chrissy has become a mom of four and inspiration to moms (and expectant moms) everywhere. From her advice on placenta eating, to embracing her mom bod, there's not much she hasn't been open about. With the help of her mother and husband, Chrissy is able to balance her career, travels, and personal life with motherhood — and we compiled some of her top tips that any mother could use.
More from CafeMom: Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Secretly Welcome Fourth Baby
Childbirth — & the Aftermath — Is No Walk in the Park
One of the many reasons why we love this celeb mom is because she keeps it real — about life, childbirth, and beyond. "No one told me I would be coming home in diapers, too," she once joked on Twitter after giving birth to Luna.
Self-Care Is Necessary ... Especially After Popping Out a Kid
If anyone happens to be a new mom who just birthed a child from her body, please try to heal up with some self-care. It's so so important to take this step.
Postpartum Depression Is Nothing To Be Ashamed Of
"I'll just say it: I have postpartum depression," Chrissy once confessed in an Instagram post:
"So much love to @glamourmag for letting me share something that was eating me up inside for months and months. One of the most amazing things about social media is the ability to interact candidly with friends and fans and it felt so weird knowing what I was going through but not really feeling like it was the right place to speak on it. I've always felt genuinely close to all of you and I'm insanely relieved you now know something that has been such a huge part of me for so long."
Should any fellow mom be dealing with postpartum depression, please know there are allies and resources that can help.
Normalize Breastfeeding
As much as Chrissy is about the "fed is best" life, she's never shied away from breastfeeding. In fact, Chrissy is helping to normalize it in her house, pretending to nurse her daughter Luna's doll as she feeds Miles.
But Know It's OK *Not* To Breastfeed
When fans commented on John Legend's Instagram photo of Chrissy bottle-feeding her son Miles, she simply wrote back: "[J]ohn never breastfed Miles." (Shut 'em down, Chrissy!)
Personal choice is a must.
Body Changes Happen
In an interview with Women's Health, Chrissy got real about her body transformations. "I look at my boobs and I'm like, 'What the heck happened?' They face outwards now. They're like giant disks. I don't even know how to hide them. I forget that people are still like, 'Whoa!' And I don't mean to shove my boob in their faces."
Chrissy is constantly showing us that it's OK to have to warm up to our own bodies. Talk like this definitely needs to be normalized.
Roll With the Tantrums
"I think we get stuck in our own heads and worried about pleasing other people," Chrissy confessed to Today about dealing with tantrums. "You look around and realize that everyone has their headsets on, she's not screaming or kicking seats, etc. You've got to either roll with it or deal with the anxiety of it. We choose to roll with it."
Not in the Mood? Not a Problem
"It doesn't matter who you are — even if you're a sexy R&B crooner or an ex–swimsuit model, you're just tired!" Chrissy confessed to Women's Health when asked about her post-childbirth sex life.
It's OK To Not Have Time (or Energy) for Cooking
"With the first book, I wanted to get people out of the headspace of a 15-minute meal with less than five ingredients. Now I identify more with the people who don’t have time for that s—," Chrissy once joked about her eating habits and feeding her kiddos.
Trust Those Mommy Instincts
In the same interview with Refinery 29, Chrissy also revealed how important it is for moms to trust their own instincts. "I will also say that a lot of the fear comes from other people; if I had listened to all of my friends, I would have been terrified of pregnancy. For me, pregnancy was so great."
Bath Time Can Be Hard AF, So Do Whatever Is Necessary
Though Chrissy caught heat for this bath pic of her kids, this photo is a reminder that parents have to do what they have to do.
Hey, bath time is hard — especially when there's more than one kiddo.
Post the Photo (Critics Are Always P*ssed)
Even though Chrissy caught heat for this pregnancy "salad" pic, she couldn't care less — hopefully inspiring other moms to share any and all photos their heart desire.
"Plz don't shame me I am a strong proud salad making woman just being natural and trying to live my life," she captioned this pic.
(Amen, Chrissy.)
Enjoy the #NoFilter Life
Chrissy is quite aware how much social media creates unrealistic expectations, which is one of the reasons why she pushes for people (especially moms) to enjoy their best lives. "I know they're Facetuning, Photoshopping — and even I'm getting down on myself!" the celeb mom once confessed. "… Imagine the girl who's out there scrolling and feeling like she isn't good enough."
Basically, we can all gain to love ourselves a little more.
Pack Lots of Toys for Plane Rides
"We bring a big variety of toys because one minute [Luna is] going to want something really creative, and then the next she'll want something really active," Chrissy told Today about how she travels and prevents tantrums.
There's Nothing Wrong With a Good Clapback
In an interview with Today, Chrissy showcased the countless times she had to publicly take down some mommy-shamers on Twitter. "I read a lot of mommy blogs where we don't take ourselves too seriously and that really helps," she revealed. "It makes you realize that the moms that are the most angry or crazy about their cause, they just happen to be the loudest. But, they're not the majority."
Parenting Can Be Painful
As much as our little ones don't try to hurt us — like possibly putting soap bubbles in our eyes (LOL) — they do.
… and we still love them anyway.
Motherhood Changes a Woman & That's OK
When asked about if having children made her lose her individuality in an interview, Chrissy replied, "You definitely do have to change. You just have to."
She continued:
"But a lot of my friends and I joke whenever I go out, like 'Oh, here goes cool mom,' or if I ask for a braid in my hair, they're like 'Oh, you want to be cool mom again!' You naturally change because there's something else that consumes your mind at all times and I don't think you can help that, but you can still be cool! […] But it does change you, and that's why I think you have to be completely ready."
Try Not To Forget the Spouse
"I think it's really important to be complete partners in crime […] I love the mentality of 'us against the world.' Even when you have kids, never forget your relationship as partners and lovers — that's so important," Chrissy confessed to Well + Good about trying to keep the spark alive with John.
Stop & Enjoy the Little Moments
No matter how busy she gets, Chrissy always makes time for the people most important in her life: her family.
Things Get Worse ... But They Also Get Incredible
"The best piece of advice I was given — and I'm really glad people told me this — is to remember that just when things are great, they're going to get worse. And just when you think they couldn't get worse, they're going to get incredible — it's going to get amazing," Chrissy confessed during an interview about life and the best advice she ever received.
"And it's just going to be that wave until, I would say 18, but for the rest of your life, honestly. I'm glad people told me that things were always going to change."
