Serena Williams Stopped Breastfeeding For This Reason
Next to hearing that first cry when your baby enters this world, breastfeeding your child is one of the most rewarding and beautiful experiences you may ever have as a mother.
The moment your baby finally latches on is like none other, and that reconnection you and the baby feel is priceless. And while many mothers aren't able to exclusively breastfeed due to a variety of reasons, like lack of milk production to limited maternity leave, it's one of the most natural things any woman can do.
Every woman is different and will have to make different choices for her baby, but for Serena Williams, breastfeeding was one of her priorities. The tennis star recently spoke with TIME to discuss motherhood, her return to tennis, and making time for herself in the midst of it all.
Yet another example of a woman's innate superpowers: we give life and we nourish it simply with our bodies. It's amazing that Williams was able to go through a near-death experience from complications she experienced post-delivery (including five surgeries to address the pulmonary embolism, the ruptured C-section incision, and hematoma in her abdomen), and STILL have the strength to breastfeed her daughter Olympia. As a mom that breastfed both of her kids, the act is, on one hand, incredibly soothing, and on the other, incredibly draining. You become the baby's pacifier, their sole source of food and, at times, their only means of comfort.
But for Williams, she wouldn't have it any other way. She says:
"You have the power to sustain the life that God gave her. You have the power to make her happy, to calm her. At any other time in your life, you don't have this magical superpower."
And while her leave of maternity isn't quite like the leave of the majority of mothers around the world, she still faced some of the same pressures, like deciding whether or not she would continue to breastfeed Olympia. In fact, her coach urged her to stop because it was impacting her game, but Williams resisted. As a man, there is no way her coach could understand the bond that comes with breastfeeding. This decision might have have slowed down her tennis comeback, but this time the 22-time Grand Slam champion finally was able to do something that she wanted to do, rather than please everyone else. She says:
"It's absolutely hard to take from a guy. He's not a woman, he doesn't understand that connection, that the best time of the day for me was when I tried to feed her. I've spent my whole life making everyone happy, just servicing it seems like everyone. And this is something I wanted to do."
Ultimately, she did have to make the decision to wean Olympia off of nursing in order to rededicate herself to her first baby: tennis. The process isn't as simple as replacing the breast with a bottle, and Williams even reveals that she had to have a "talk" with Olympia requesting her body back.
"I looked at Olympia, and I was like, 'Listen, Mommy needs to get her body back, so Mommy's going to stop now.' We had a really good conversation. We talked it out."
Sometimes when you become a mother, self-care falls by the wayside. Williams also recognizes that it's so easy to put yourself last once you become a mother. She says that she is learning how to balance the expectations of motherhood with her return to her career and need for time for herself. She reveals:
"Sometimes she just wants Mommy, she doesn't want anyone else. I still have to learn a balance of being there for her, and being there for me. I'm working on it. I never understood women before, when they put themselves in second or third place. And it's so easy to do. It's so easy to do."
When she returned to Wimbledon this year, there wasn't a black woman that I know who wasn't glued to their televisions that Saturday afternoon. As she played her heart out, you could feel every grunt and moment of despair even more, knowing everything she's been through. When she eventually came up short, Williams took that moment to dedicate the match to all of the other mothers out there who were watching her in awe. She says if she can do it, so can we. She revealed:
"I dedicated that to all the moms out there who've been through a lot. Some days, I cry. I'm really sad. I've had meltdowns. It's been a really tough 11 months. If I can do it, you guys can do it too."
Her return to tennis wasn't without its own round of controversy. When she beat her own sister at the 2017 Australian Open, all while two months pregnant, she was the number one seeded tennis player in the world. By the time she returned, there was no ranking reserved for arguably the most dominant female tennis player that ever lived. Williams wants to use her experience to help change these unfair tennis rules, and in doing so, she might not only change tennis' minds but the minds of employers all around the world. She told TIME:
"It would be nice to recognize that women shouldn't be treated differently because they take time to bring life into this world."
And while her return to tennis has had its share of ups and downs, Williams knows she has a lot more to prove, not only to the sport but to herself. She wants to make sure her daughter gets to witness with her own eyes, her tennis greatness and vows to keep going, even at the age of 36. She says:
"I'm not done yet, simple. My story doesn't end here."
Serena Williams is the epitome of a strong, Black woman. And while we don't all have the opportunity to win grand slams or any other championship for that matter, we can still be inspired by Williams' tenacity, ability to make decisions that are best suited for her and her family, and her unmatched drive and belief in herself.
Keep pushing towards those dreams: your story doesn't have to end once you have a baby!
To read more of her conversation with TIME, click here.
- Serena Williams reveals she stopped breastfeeding daughter to lose ... ›
- Serena Williams says she 'cried' when she stopped breastfeeding ... ›
- Serena Williams on Her Decision to Stop Breastfeeding ... ›
- Serena Williams reveals she 'cried a little bit' when she stopped ... ›
- Serena Williams on why she stopped breastfeeding, and how 'I cried ... ›
- Serena Williams opens up on decision to give up breastfeeding ›
- Serena Williams Opened Up About Why She Stopped Breastfeeding ... ›
- Serena Williams's New HBO Documentary Sparks the Breastfeeding ... ›
- Serena Williams 'Cried a Little' After Stopping Breastfeeding ... ›
- Serena Williams Says Breastfeeding Didn't Make Her Lose Weight ... ›
Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
It’s spring, and it’s time to blossom into our favorite pastel nail colors. We can finally part ways with dark, neutral tones, looking forward to colors that make us feel lighter in spirit. Spring is a time to lighten the mood with floral designs and other aesthetics. Soon, our social media feeds will be filled with tons of nail inspiration, giving us many options. However, we can also understand how time-consuming it can be to find the perfect nail design.
We’ve collected 10 of the trendiest nails for every aesthetic. Warning: choosing one of these designs may cause every girl to ask you where you got your nails inspo from. In those moments, it’s advised to remember us. You’ve been warned.
Subtle Pastel Girlie
So, if you want to ease into your pastel colors, we get it. This nail art is perfect for getting into the nail season without fully committing. We love the subtle flower design with nude undertones. This color palette is ideal for anyone looking to keep their “clean girl aesthetic” without being too dull. If the solid pink color is still too much for your liking, try opting for nude on all the nails and allowing the two floral design to have their moment. There are many ways to get into the season without stepping outside our comfort zone.
Chrome Flower Girl
This nail design is an absolute show-stopper! Make everyone blind every time you wave hello with this incredible chrome art. This design is unique because of the gorgeous mix of purples, pinks, and yellows. This design is for the girl ready to move on from winter and enter her “spring girl era.” As if the colors alone weren’t enough, the two floral designs are the icing on this already captivating work of art. Live spring out loud with this masterpiece!
Yellow Mellow
Yellow is a signature spring color. This design honors the season with various yellows, making it stand out. Each pigment adds contrast to the design. This color scheme makes us want to break up with the typical nude aesthetic that has been around for way too long. Move forward and be the spotlight with the incredible yellow design.
Short But Mighty
Calling all of my short-nail girls! Yes, the rumors are true - we can have fun too. Short nails get a bad rap for not being as flashy as long nails. This design put those rumors to rest with its adorable pastel nail aesthetic. We love the hint of green complimented with pink floral nail art. This design is fun, classic, and refreshing for the upcoming season. Must have short nails for your job? No problem! Don’t lose out on feeling like that girl with this not-so-subtle nail art.
Pastel Anyone?
Gorgeous, gorgeous girls wear pastels! Can’t pick one pastel color for your next nail appointment? No worries! The beauty of nail art is that there are no rules. You can wear each pastel color on your fingertips with no regrets. This nail design proves just that with its impeccable color scheme matched with chrome to make things more interesting. Don’t stress yourself trying to find a design or pick a color. Do it all! You only live once, after all.
French Tip With A Twist
We love a classic white French tip as much as the next person, but in 2024, we are stepping it up! This pastel French tip will have all the girls screaming. Become mesmerized by the swirls of pinks, blues, and yellows across your tips. With this nail design, you’ll have anyone under your spell.
Easter Treat
Easter isn’t over until we say it’s over! This adorable Easter-inspired design will have you leaping into spring. Just look at those cute bunnies complimented with Easter eggs! The colors, design, and festive aesthetic have us jumping for joy. This design also has a nice balance of nudes, which can be great for anyone who wants to have fun with their nails and stay committed to neutral tones. This design has something everyone can appreciate, from the nail art girlie to the neutral girlie.
Simple Spring Chic
We have the perfect nail inspiration for you if you want to keep things clean and classic. This simple nail color eases into the season while still maintaining a classic touch. Let your jewelry be the glam when rocking this clean nail color.
Flower Girl
This design truly captures spring without words. From the colors to the flowers, there isn’t a part of this design that isn’t refreshing. The hues of pink alone give us soft girl Barbie vibes. Let your hands do all the talking with this perfect nail art.
Seeing Things Clearly
Finally, winter is behind us, and the spring sun allows us to see things clearly - just like this nail design! Clear nails have not gotten enough respect until now. These gel x clear spring nails are all you need to set the tone for the season. Colorful flowers are the main vocal point of the design while remaining simple. This design is a breath of fresh air we’ve all been waiting for. Welcome to spring!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Justin Lambert/ Getty Images