Growing

Beth Ryan and Lilly Claxton

Growing is your handbook for birth, babies and beyond brought to you by midwives and mums Beth Ryan and Lilly Claxton. Join us every Wednesday for a solid dose of solidarity as we explore all things motherhood.

  1. 1 DAG GELEDEN

    The Wheels Simply *Must* Keep Turning: Updates From The Postpartum Trenches

    This week we are coming to you live from the trenches — where time is meaningless, snacks are essential, and the witching hour feels like a personal attack. We’re gasbagging (professionally) and pulling at all the loose threads of early postpartum life — from the chaos of juggling multiple naps in one household (who knew sleep could require this much admin?) to the nightly spiral of “is this the witching hour or just… our personality now?” Lil is, once again, back in her toxic situationship with her phone (again… again 🙃), while Beth is emerging - phoenix-like — feeling a little more like herself physically, which we are celebrating loudly. Somewhere in the middle of all of this, we’re both finding a rhythm… not a good one, not a consistent one, but a rhythm nonetheless and honestly that feels like growth. It’s chaotic, it’s honest — and if you’re in early postpartum too, this one will feel like sitting on the couch with friends who are also just trying to piece it together 🤍 🍝 R&R — Recipe & Recommendation Beth’s Recipe: Crispy chilli oil — less of a recipe, more of a personality trait at this point. Put it on everything and suddenly you’re thriving. Beth’s RecommendationStrangers by Belle Burden - a beautifully raw memoir about identity, motherhood, and rebuilding when life doesn’t go to plan.  Lil’s Recommendation For freshly postpartum, breastfeeding mums: lymphatic massage for breast engorgement — game changing. Lil swears by doing it in the shower with a lush oil or body wash and pretending it’s a wellness ritual instead of survival. It’s gentle, effective, and can bring real relief when things feel full, tight, and borderline offensive. Watch: Lymphatic Massage for Breast Engorgement (Step-by-Step) Lil’s Recipe: Burger nights at home 🍔 when capacity is low but vibes are still important. Head to Coles and grab the at-home Grill’d burger patties… elite, no notes.

    59 min.
  2. 14 APR

    Four Weeks In - With Twins: Beth's Update

    This week’s record is beautifully busy - Beth is in the thick of it, juggling both twins while we chat, and it’s just the reality of where we are at.  We check in on how she’s actually feeling in these early postpartum days - where every 24 hours can look completely different and how this experience compares to her previous babies. We dive into feeding twins (spoiler: it’s as busy as you imagine and then some), from cluster feeding chaos to figuring out whether syncing is even possible. What happens when both babies need you at once? What do nights look like? And what has genuinely helped when things feel intense? Beth shares what’s surprised her most about bringing two babies home, how she’s navigating family life with her older kids, and the small strategies and support systems that are making the biggest difference right now. A big thank you to ergoPouch for supporting this episode. We are deep in our newborn cocoon era right now and leaning heavily on ergoPouch — not just for their beautiful swaddles and sleep suits, but also their cot sheets (so soft and practical for those constant changes) and their Drift Away Sound Machine, which has been such a dreamy addition to our night-time rhythm. In those early days where everything can feel a little chaotic, having simple, reliable sleep essentials makes such a difference — it’s one less thing to think about when you’re running on very little sleep. You can use our code BIRTHWITHBETH for 20% off site wide (T&C's apply) It’s honest and hopefully full of solidarity for anyone in the newborn trenches, especially those doing it times two.

    1 u 3 m
  3. 7 APR

    Honey, We’re Home: Our First Postpartum Update

    Our Numbers Have Doubled & We’ve Been Humbled — but we’re very happily back in your ears with our first little postpartum catch-up 🤍 Lilly and Beth have welcomed their baby boys just four days apart, and we’re both tucked up at home in our newborn nests, very much in the thick of it. This episode is a gentle ramble through our first reflections in the early days. Beth shares the shift from 2 to 4 and the incredible, all-consuming experience of stepping into life as a twin mum, while Lil navigates the transition from 1 to 2 - bringing a new baby home to a toddler and all the beautiful, complex family dynamics that come with it. We’re right in the messy middle, and our thoughts are right there with us - raw, evolving, and very real. We’re so grateful for our glimmer girls 🤍 thank you for the grace and patience as we find our feet in this next chapter. Sponsored by ergoPouch A big thank you to ergoPouch — we’re deep in our newborn cocoon era and leaning heavily on their sleep suits and swaddles. Use our code BIRTHWITHBETH for a cheeky discount on us.  T&Cs* Excluding: Lyra Convertible Cot, Skye Cot, Sale, Gifts, Multibys, Promos, Deluxe Mattress, Gift Vouchers and can not be used in conjunction with anything else.  Expires 11.59PM 30th April  💛 If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with a mum who’s in the newborn trenches — it means the world and helps more women find Growing. Come and say hi: @growingthepodcast @lillian.beth @birthwithbeth_

    59 min.
  4. 31 MRT

    Pregnancy Confessions: TMI Edition

    These are our confessions. Two heavily pregnant (and slightly cranky) midwives jump on the mic and… really bare all. This one is unhinged in the best possible way - a chat that’s equal parts silly, honest, and deeply relatable. We lean all the way into the TMI, covering everything from pregnancy cravings to sex dreams and libido, with a casual sprinkle of vulval varicosities and anal fissures (because nothing is off limits here).  It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a big dose of solidarity for anyone in the thick of pregnancy - and a moment of silence for our poor husbands who were really on the receiving end of pregnancy irrits.  We’re so grateful to be in your ears and appreciate your patience with us. Next week, we’ll be back with a real-time update on our postpartum transitions after welcoming our baby boys (!!) just four days apart in early March.  💤 Sponsored by ergoPouch A big thank you to ergoPouch — we are both huge lovers of their sleep suits and support, and currently deep in our cocoon swaddle era. Use our code BIRTHWITHBETH for 20% off sitewide* T&Cs* Excluding: Lyra Convertible Cot, Skye Cot, Sale, Gifts, Multibys, Promos, Deluxe Mattress, Gift Vouchers and can not be used in conjunction with anything else.  Expires 11.59PM 30th April  If this episode made you laugh or feel seen — please share it with a friend and leave us a review. It means the world and helps more women find Growing. Follow along: @growingthepodcast @lillian.beth @birthwithbeth_

    54 min.
  5. 17 MRT

    Our Baby Must-Haves

    Our Baby Must-Haves This week the girls get granular — sharing their favourite products from their previous newborn experiences. It’s practical, specific, and very much a “this worked for us” chat. As always, every baby (and parent) is different, but these are our MVPs — the items we reached for again and again. Our biggest tip? Marketplace and second-hand can be your best friend. So many baby items are only used for a short window — borrow from a friend, pass things on, and share the love where you can. 🍼 Our Must-Haves Bassinets Bednest Bassinet — Lil’s pickIl Tutto CoZee Co-Sleeper — Beth’s pickPrams Lil started with the Nuna Next + Capsule, but found her Milly + Coup Travel Pram more useful long-term. This time she’s gone second-hand with the Bugaboo Donkey for its single-to-double flexibility. Beth loved her Redsbaby Pram for her first two, and now has the Babybee Luna Double. For travel, she swears by the Babyzen YOYO. Carriers Portier Carrier — the ultimate workhorseChekoh Wrap Carrier — perfect for those early newborn daysSwaddles Swaddle Up / Swaddle King style — great in the early days (Lil loved jersey material)ergoPouch — both girls love once baby is rollingHalcyon Nights Swaddles — Beth’s favouritePlay Mats Munchkin & Bear Playmat — wipeable and practical (Beth)Muse Edition Playmat — aesthetic and functional (Lil)Bottles Pigeon BottlesBouncer BabyBjörn Bouncer — loved by both (Lil bought second-hand this time)Onesies Bonds — especially press-stud zippys and snap singletsSeed HeritageCotton On KidsTarget Organic Cotton — great affordable staplesFeeding Lights Amazon Night Light — soft, practical glowKrystle Knight Selenite Lamp — a more luxe, calming optionNappy Caddies Kiin Baby Caddy — Lil’s pickBunnie Nappy Caddy  — Beth’s pickBreast Pumps MomCozy Portable Pump — convenient for on-the-go (Lil)Spectra Pump — hospital-grade, absolute workhorse (Beth)Feeding Chair Il Tutto Nursing Chair — worth the investment (both agree) Lil didn’t have one first time round and plans to live in it this time 🤍If you loved this episode, please share it with an expecting friend or someone in the newborn trenches — and if you haven’t already, we’d be so grateful for a review. Follow along: @growingthepodcast@lillian.beth@birthwithbeth_

    34 min.

Info

Growing is your handbook for birth, babies and beyond brought to you by midwives and mums Beth Ryan and Lilly Claxton. Join us every Wednesday for a solid dose of solidarity as we explore all things motherhood.

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