The tennis icon offered up some of her precious stash to help babies in need.
Serena Williams is sharing her mama magic. The tennis legend revealed that she is anonymously donating a batch of breast milk that she had pumped during a recent trip to New York City, and that she's "super excited" to help someone in need.
"I'm really excited to donate some breast milk that I had left over from my trip in New York to people who really need it," she said in an Instagram video, showing off an impressive freezer stash of filled milk storage bags. "It'll be anonymous, but super excited to just help in some way.
In her caption, she elaborated more on the generous gesture.
"On a recent trip to NY I had left over breast milk. After going through a screening I was able to donate it instead of taking the milk home," she wrote. "I know so many amazing women that adopt or are unable to make milk. It felt amazing. BTW Someone out there is getting some super soldier milk. 🤭"
There are many local human milk banks accepting donations from qualified applicants throughout the world. It is also possible to donate directly to a parent and child in need via social media groups and networking or word of mouth.
Williams welcomed her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August. She and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, are also parents to 6-year-old Olympia.
Speaking with ET last month, Williams opened up about how Olympia has adjusted to life as a big sister.
"She's navigating it. She loves it," Williams said. "Adira's like a tiny little baby, so Olympia just calls her her little sis."
According to Williams, Olympia "prayed for a sister," so she's been happy about how everything's worked out.
Williams, however, admitted to feeling some trepidation before Adira was born.
"I was worried. I was like, 'OK, I don't know if I can like anyone as much as I love Olympia,'" Williams shared. "I was really nervous about that. But I feel like it all worked out."
Just a few weeks later, Williams got candid on social media about the state of her mental health.
"I am not ok today. And that’s ok to not be ok," she wrote. "No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you. There’s always tomorrow 😘 Love you."
She followed the post up with an image of her snuggling her newborn baby.
"This makes me so happy," she wrote.
Williams did not elaborate on what led to having a difficult day. The tennis pro has long been a champion of mental health advocacy, speaking openly about her struggles through the years.
In a 2018 article for Time magazine, she reflected on her remarkable Wimbledon Championships run (in which she was the runner-up), and opened up about the highs and lows of life in and outside the court.
"I dedicated that to all the moms out there who've been through a lot," she said at the time. "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."
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