Dispatches S2018E19 - Breastfeeding Uncovered

Britain has some of the worst breastfeeding rates in the world and new mum Kate Quilton wants to find out why. Food Unwrapped presenter Kate gave birth to her son in May and found breastfeeding a challenge. At one point she said she felt like a 'leper' when she was feeding in public. So she investigates the obstacles to breastfeeding, to find out why Britain has some of the worst rates in the world and whether more support is needed. A survey by Swansea University, exclusive to Dispatches, suggests that 67% of us think that there's no biological difference between breast milk and formula. Kate meets scientists at Imperial College who have measured the presence of hundreds of vital living components in breast milk that make it so much better for babies than formula. These include natural pain killers, aids to sleep and immune support. She also explores how cuts in public health funding have led to breastfeeding support services closing down.