Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Following the continued success of factual programming on the channel, Harry Lansdown, acting controller of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three, today unveiled a new season of programmes exploring what life is like for young parents in the UK: Bringing Up Britain.

On air this spring, the season features a collection of enlightening documentaries from the frontline of parenthood that will provide audiences with a window into the complex and varied lives of young parents, and the many issues they are faced with in today's society.

There is a strong appetite for factual programming on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three from its audience, and success stories like The Adult Season (2009/2010) have helped the channel continue to be the most-watched digital channel for the hours it broadcasts.

Harry Lansdown said: "Factual on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three continues to go from strength to strength and I'm delighted to announce this new range of programmes that, in their different ways, paint an intimate picture of childhood and the numerous pressures on parenting in contemporary Britain."

Leading the season is Cherry Healey Investigates – Is Breast Best? With her usual refreshing honesty, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three presenter, Cherry Healey (Cherry Goes Dating, Cherry Gets Married) presents a revealing and compelling documentary that explores breastfeeding – for some a taboo subject that often provokes controversy.

The World Health Organisation advises that all mothers breast feed their children for at least the first six months after birth, but it's not for everyone. Cherry herself found the experience painful and traumatic and eventually gave up. Even now, over a year later, she is still plagued by feelings of guilt for not trying harder and is now on a mission to find out how other Mums feel.

Babies and toddlers up and down the country are eating a diet of cheap, sugary and fattening junk food. An arresting documentary, Fast Food Baby, follows parents who are feeding a future of bad teeth and medical problems to their offspring, but are determined to wean their children off their junk food addictions.

Preparing for the arrival of a new baby can be a stressful experience for first-time parents, but what happens when you're told you are expecting more than one child? Meet The Multiples captures what life is really like for couples in this situation – from the physical toll of being pregnant to insights into how it feels to reach young adulthood having grown up with so many same-aged siblings.

Deciding to become a parent can in itself be a huge decision for any young person, but if you also have a genetic condition that you could pass down to your children it becomes an agonising dilemma with potentially serious consequences.

What If My Baby Is Born Like Me? follows Jono Lancaster (Love me, Love My Face) and his girlfriend Laura as they try to decide if, and how, they will ever have children together. Jono was born with Treacher Collins syndrome – a rare genetic condition that has affected every aspect of his life – and any child he fathers will have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the condition. Jono and Laura explore the science, ethics and very human stories behind the decisions faced by other people with genetic conditions.

The Gatwick Baby – Abandoned At Birth follows Steven Hyde's life-defining search to find out his true identity. Stephen was abandoned in the ladies toilet at Gatwick Airport when he was just 10 days old. With no birth certificate or clue to even his country of origin, Steven has spent his whole life not knowing where he came from. Now, 24 years later, and with the help of DNA testing, Steven is hoping to find the answers he's been so desperately searching for.

Accompanying the one-off documentaries is Misbehaving Mums To Be, a warm and uplifting six-part series that follows a team of midwives as they take pregnant women who binge drink, chain smoke and over eat and help them get back into shape before they give birth. Using their extensive experience and cutting-edge technology, the midwives help these women transform their bad habits and reverse the dangers currently posed to their babies' lives.

Building on the success of previous Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three collaborations, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning will support the season with a series of online videos featuring young parents sharing their stories from the frontline of parenthood and offering practical peer-to-peer tips and advice. The season website also provides links to organisations that can continue to help young parents manage the wide range of issues they face.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning Campaigns offer opportunities for learning in the broadest sense, building on the interest generated by broadcast programmes. Previous collaborations with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three include, The Baby Borrowers (2009) and Underage And Pregnant (2010).

Notes to Editors

Production Credits

Cherry Healey Investigates – Is Breast Best? is a 1 x 60' programme made by Renegade Pictures in association with Sienna Productions. The executive producer for Renegade is Alan Hayling and the commissioning executive producer for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is Samantha Anstiss.

Fast Food Baby is a 1 x 60' programme made by Betty TV. The executive producer at Betty is David Emmerson and the commissioning executive producer for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is Samantha Anstiss.

Meet The Multiples is a 1 x 60' programme made by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Bristol. The executive producer is Robi Dutta and the producer is Liz Allen.

What If My Baby Is Born Like Me? is a 1 x 60' programme made by Special Edition Films. The executive producer is Ravinder Chahal. The commissioning executive for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is Fiona Campbell.

The Gatwick Baby – Abandoned At Birth is a 1 x 60' programme made by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Birmingham. The executive producer is Ninder Billing and the producer is Anoop Pandhal.

Misbehaving Mums To Be is a 6 x 60' series made by DCD-owned Prospect Cymru. The executive producer for Prospect is Sam Bickley and the commissioning executive producer for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is Samantha Anstiss.

CD4