Serena Williams has pleaded for help dealing with her new baby’s teething problems, proving even one of the greatest athletes of all time isn’t immune to the everyday trials of motherhood.

Describing herself as “so stressed”, Williams issued the plea to her more than 10m Twitter followers on Monday, saying: “Teething – aka the devil – is so hard.” She lamented in the post that nothing she had tried, including amber beads, cold towels and homeopathic water, was fixing the problem.

Nothing is working. It's breaking my heart. I almost need my mom to come and hold me to sleep cause I'm so stressed. Help? Anyone?? — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 17, 2017

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...... pic.twitter.com/hCRMJ0RhUQ — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 17, 2017

The former world number one tennis player gave birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, in September this year and has shared much of her experience of motherhood with her social media followers, who are usually quick to provide advice and support.

Freeze her teething ring and let her bite on that — M 2the O (@mobetta77) December 17, 2017

Gripe water. They have it everywhere on SF. — Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) December 18, 2017

My niece just went through this. We did ice packs, teething gel/rings, and Motrin If the fever was bad. Good news is that it only lasts a short time! pic.twitter.com/x9YuVT2gXT — CLO (@silycone) December 17, 2017

Earlier this month she asked her followers for advice on breastfeeding, saying she got emotional thinking about when she would have to stop doing it.



Fellow moms:

How long did you breastfeed? Is it weird that I get emotional when I even just think about when it's time to stop? pic.twitter.com/YOz4oeIajH — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 6, 2017

In a video she and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian Sr, released to welcome their daughter in September, Williams said there were “a lot of complications” but did not elaborate.

As well as the hard moments, Williams regularly shares her excitement at being a mother and her love for her daughter.

At @brunomars concert thinking about Alexis Olympia arghhhh. I love her so much. — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) October 19, 2017

I hate to throw my daughter under the bus... but she farts really really really loud 😳😂😂😂 — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) October 21, 2017

Williams is currently on a break from professional tennis but is expected to return at the Australian Open in January.