Comedian Katherine Ryan has emotionally signalled the end of her journey into motherhood, describing herself as having been 'addicted to pregnancy for five years'. The 42-year-old star, who welcomed her fourth child, daughter Holland, earlier this month, suggested she will not be having any more babies.
A Heartfelt Farewell to Newborn Days
Ryan took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an intimate picture of her newborn daughter. In a poignant accompanying message, she revealed she had begun to part with the tiny clothes that symbolise the earliest days of her children's lives. 'Meanwhile, I gave away a bunch of newborn clothes today and it was heartbreaking,' she wrote. The act of clearing out the wardrobe served as a tangible step towards accepting her family is now complete. 'I've been addicted to pregnancy for five years and giving it up is tough,' she added, offering a raw glimpse into her feelings about this life stage coming to a close.
Katherine shares her three youngest children – son Fred, four, daughter Fenna, two, and newborn Holland – with her husband Bobby Kootstra. She is also a mother to her eldest daughter, Violet, 16, from a previous relationship.
Facing Backlash Over Controversial Parenting Views
The TV personality has recently faced significant criticism for her candid parenting advice, particularly concerning early potty training. Speaking on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast while heavily pregnant, Ryan addressed being labelled 'privileged' after suggesting parents can start potty training from almost birth.
'I say that you should start potty training babies from almost birth,' she stated, before clarifying her position. 'And when I say potty training, I think it gets lost in translation... I just think there's a miscommunication.' She explained her belief that many loving parents inadvertently train their newborns to use a nappy, and that introducing a potty at regular intervals can be beneficial.
However, Ryan acknowledged this method is not feasible for every family, especially those where parents return to work quickly or rely on daycare. She also confronted accusations about her own lifestyle head-on: 'The reaction that I get is people going: "Well, you're privileged, and you have chefs and nannies," well, I don't... I mean, I do. I have a nanny, and I have a cleaner that comes twice a week.' She was quick to point out that she successfully potty-trained her first daughter as a 'financially insecure single mom'.
A Journey Marked by Joy and Heartache
Ryan's path to growing her family has not been straightforward. She revealed in 2024 that she had suffered three miscarriages in five years. Speaking in November 2024, she admitted she would love more children but expressed concerns about her age. 'I'm old. I used to think I was going to be the babies' dad because I'm working but actually I'm like their grandmother,' she quipped. 'My back hurts, sometimes I give them treats. I'm like a fun grandma.'
The comedian has also been open about the professional pressures of pregnancy. In 2022, she disclosed she kept her second pregnancy secret for eight months while presenting ITV's Ready To Mingle, fearing it would cost her work.
Ryan's modern family story has a fairytale element. She and husband Bobby Kootstra have been together since 2018 but are actually childhood sweethearts from Canada. They initially parted ways before rekindling their romance years later in the UK.
