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.

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28 episodes
weekly
Avg 50 min
English

Episodes 28

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May 26 · 55 min
Is The Commune Ready?
Beth has climbed the mountain that is mastitis and is happily - finally - on the other side. She shares the feeding plan she’s landed on for her twinnies, what’s feeling sustainable for her family, and a very gorgeous reframe around postpartum bodies and what they’re actually made for. We’re doing our very best to put down the negative self-talk, one tender little reframe at a time. Meanwhile, Lilly has survived her first week with her husband back at work and it was mostly magical… with, of course, several moments of complete madness. The logistics have logistics, the toddler activities need activity cherries on top, and Beth comes through with some genuinely brilliant mum tips for making the day work for you. Once again, the women are the best. Thank you for being here - we simply adore you. Also if you haven’t yet watched Off Campus, well what are you waiting for dolly? Recommendations & Recipes Lil’s Recipe:An easy throw-together biscuit recipe perfect for little helping hands and those “we need an activity immediately” afternoons. Toddler Biscuit Recipe Lil’s Recommendation: Spotify audiobooks for kids - an unexpected little parenting gem La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 a gentle little skin saviour for dry, irritated, postpartum-everything skin Beth’s Recommendation: Prime Minister - the Jacinda Ardern documentary Because we promised Lil’s mum: Australian Breastfeeding Association Mastitis Resource
May 19 · 39 min
Let’s Hear It for the Mums
This week we’re back in your ears feeling wildly grateful for the women around us because honestly… the girls ARE the glimmers. Beth is trying to rise from the depths of the absolute feral house guest that is mastitis - a cruel mistress we did not invite, do not like and absolutely do not need. We unpack the intensity of feeding twins, the physical toll of breastfeeding and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with trying to care for everyone whilst also feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. Meanwhile Lil is entering a brand new season with her husband back at work, juggling two kids, attempting toilet training but that’s a story for another day. Lil’s recipe recommendation is for the freshly postpartum mums finally ready to emerge for a crispy vino, sashimi and a tiny taste of freedom. Trust us — this one is elite. Tuna Sashimi Dip And Beth’s cosy watch recommendation this week is Off Campus on Prime - fluffy, romantic, easy watching for tired mums wanting to float into another world at the end of the day. Join us on Instagram @growingthepodcast and share with your fellow friends, sisters, mums - the wonderful women in your life.
May 12 · 42 min
Please not the park, again.
Another glimpse inside the utter chaos that is our deeply postpartum lives right now. Beth and Lilly unpack the glimmers and growing pains of life at home with very little babies — both starting to feel slightly ready to re-enter society while also being firmly in the trenches of newborn life. We also chat about the weird emotional pressure cooker that can be Mother’s Day — and if you finished the day feeling a little overstimulated, underwhelmed or strangely emotional… we completely get it. Lil has been experiencing the challenges of an unsettled baby and the girls hold hands and remind each other that yes this parts: equally normal, hard, magical and utterly mad. Plus our usual R&R recommendations because we’ll never stop trying to romanticise the trenches. Lilly found this podcast episode with Dr Eliza Hannam helpful for reassuring her on unsettled babies: Bloom with Body, Birth & Baby episode with Dr Eliza Hannam Lil’s current nervous system obsession: Krumbled Magnesium Hot Chocolate (Adding collagen because we’re trying to thrive, not just survive.) Use Beth’s code: BIRTHWITHBETH Beth’s recommendation: a postpartum wardrobe refresh. Nothing dramatic — just a few pieces that help you feel a tiny bit more like you when leaving the house with milk stains and two minutes of sleep. Beth’s Recipe: nourishing lemon chicken soup that’s freezer-friendly and genuinely delicious: Avgolemono Soup Recipe Huge thanks to ergoPouch for supporting the podcast this month. We are deep in our newborn cocoon era and leaning heavily on ergoPouch right now — from their beautiful swaddles and sleep suits to the cot sheets that somehow survive the endless overnight changes. We’re also obsessed with the Drift Away Sound Machine, which has become part of our entire nighttime rhythm. Use our code BIRTHWITHBETH for 20% off until the end of May. If this episode made you feel seen, send it to a mum friend who’s also somewhere between blissed out and barely holding it together 💛 And don’t forget to follow Growing wherever you listen to podcasts.
May 5 · 1 hr 7 min
Beth’s Birth Story: Identical Twin Boys
This week Beth shares the birth story of her identical twin boys, a story that holds both careful planning and a last-minute pivot. After a high-risk twin pregnancy, many appointments, and a clear plan to be induced at 36 weeks, things changed *right* at the finish line. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with a fellow Mum friend, if you haven’t already follow us on your streaming platform of choice and leave a review if you love the show. This helps us to grow and land in the ears of those who need a little solidarity amongst the magic and madness of motherhood.
April 28 · 58 min
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.
April 21 · 57 min
Lil’s VBAC and Franklin’s Birth Story
We are so happy to be sharing Lilly’s birth story of her second baby boy, Franklin 🤍 If you haven’t listened to Lil’s first birth experience with Ru, it’s a beautiful place to start and adds a layer of context to this journey: Listen to Ru’s Birth Story This episode is a reflection of Lil’s slow and steady unfolding into labour — the layers she needed to shed, the surrender required, and the support systems she leaned into to move towards her VBAC. Like so many births, it isn’t completely linear… but that’s often where the magic lives. We talk through the mindset shifts, the body work, and the preparation that helped Lil feel ready to step into this experience — and what it actually looked like in real time. If you’re preparing for a VBAC or exploring your options, these episodes were a huge part of Lil’s preparation: VBAC with Hazel KeedleBody Work with G.LorriLil’s VBAC Preparation Episode This one is tender, powerful, and such a beautiful reminder of what it can look like to trust your body and your path — whatever that may be. 💛 If this episode resonated, please share it with someone preparing for birth or navigating their own VBAC journey. And if you haven’t already, leaving a review helps more women find Growing — we’re so grateful you’re here.
April 14 · 1 hr 3 min
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.
April 7 · 58 min
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_

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