It can often feel as though celebrities live on a totally different planet to us, but Serena Williams has shown that she’s just like every other new parent by sharing her struggles with baby Alexis (born 1 September 2017) on social media.
The tennis star took to Twitter and Instagram on Sunday to voice her frustration over the difficulties of trying to comfort a teething baby, striking a chord with parents the world over.
She wrote: ‘Teething – aka the devil – is so hard. Poor Alexis Olympia has been so uncomfortable. She cried so much (she never cries) I had to hold her until she fell asleep.’
Teething- aka the devil – is so hard. Poor Alexis Olympia has been so uncomfortable. She cried so much (she never cries) I had to hold her until she fell asleep. I’ve tried amber beads… cold towels…. chew on mommies fingers…. homeopathic water (lol on that one) but……
In a separate tweet, the seven-time Wimbledon champion continued, ‘Nothing is working. It’s breaking my heart. I almost need my mom to come and hold me to sleep cause [sic] I’m so stressed,’ before imploring other users for help.
It seems Serena has touched upon a dilemma that many new mums go through, as people rushed to offer help and words of comfort, with many commenting ‘we’ve all been there’ and others sharing their appreciation at the fact Serena is willing to speak out about her experiences.
Something poetic about motherhood being difficult even for the greatest athlete in the world ❤️ https://t.co/hOWGFo0NYI
— Taé T (@__Rocka) December 17, 2017
How long did you breastfeed? Is it weird that I get emotional when I even just think about when it’s time to stop?
This is just another reminder that becoming a parent for the first (or second, or third…) time is not always plain sailing, and that it’s important to let others know when you’re struggling and not feel as though you are failing.
What to do when your child starts teething
It can be helpful to give the child something hard to chew on.
Teethers that can be cooled in the fridge can be particularly soothing.
Teething gels containing local anaesthetics can provide some pain relief from sore gums.
Sugar-free paracetamol, such as Calpol, may also be given. Be sure to follow the instructions according to the child’s age.
