Olympian Carissa Moore Admits She Feels ‘Broken Inside’ as She Stops Breastfeeding Her 17-Month-Old Daughter

Carissa Moore, the celebrated five-time World Champion surfer, has taken to Instagram to share her emotional journey of weaning her daughter, Olena Lililehua. Moore, who welcomed her daughter with husband Luke Untermann on February 24, 2025, reflected on the challenges and joys of breastfeeding in a recent heartfelt post.

The Olympic gold medallist, aged 33, has embraced motherhood fully since stepping back from her competitive career in 2024, only to return triumphantly in May 2025. Moore’s journey in competitive surfing resumed with an impressive 29th Championship Tour victory shortly after childbirth, yet her recent post poignantly highlights a different aspect of her life.

On July 25, Moore wrote about the bittersweet end of her 17-month breastfeeding experience, expressing feelings of sadness as she comes to terms with this new chapter. “This chapter for us has come to an end. 17 months of breastfeeding,” she stated, expressing gratitude for the bond that breastfeeding fostered between her and her daughter. “It just felt right with all the travelling and new places,” she added, highlighting how the experience had been a time of connection for both mother and child.

Moore candidly acknowledged the emotional toll of weaning, stating, “There is a part of me that’s excited to have my body back to myself but I’m gonna miss those tender moments of just us.” The professional athlete revealed her initial struggles with the transition and her anxieties about developing a new connection with Olena.

In her post, Moore elaborated on her feelings, mentioning her concerns about what their relationship would look like post-weaning. To ease into this transition, she took a few days away for a trip. However, upon her return, she experienced an emotional shift that caught her off guard. “No one talks about the hormonal shift that happens when you wean. It’s a real thing,” she explained, sharing that her daughter didn’t request breastfeeding as they had previously done, which left her feeling “a little broken inside.”

Despite these feelings, Moore discovered new ways to bond with her daughter. She recounted a touching moment when she lay down on the carpet with Olena, sharing a cuddle and playtime, which she described as beautiful and fulfilling. “Heart to heart, belly to belly. And we stayed that way for what felt like forever,” she reflected, expressing her joy at discovering new ways to connect.

In her post’s conclusion, Moore reminisced about the rapid pace of her daughter’s growth, acknowledging the fleeting nature of these early moments in motherhood. She emphasised the importance of cherishing each stage of Olena’s development, saying, “Everyone says it goes fast and it really does. You fall in love with one version of them and then they grow and you have to grow with them.”

Moore’s story resonates with many parents who navigate the complex emotions involved in major transitions in their child’s life. Her openness about the emotional and hormonal shifts that accompany weaning sheds light on a topic that is often overlooked within the parenting community.

As the surfer continues to balance her roles as a competitive athlete and a nurturing mother, she remains dedicated to embracing the challenges and joys that accompany motherhood. Carissa Moore’s reflections offer a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between a mother and her child, celebrating the unique experiences that shape their relationship. Such moments reinforce the notion that every stage of a child’s growth is both beautiful and bittersweet, deserving of recognition and appreciation.

Having garnered international acclaim not only for her accomplishments in sports, including an Olympic gold medal during the 2020 Tokyo Games, Moore exemplifies resilience across both her professional and personal lives. As she charts the waters of motherhood alongside her competitive career, her sincere reflections resonate with audiences worldwide.