Dame Laura Kenny visits Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NICU to discuss breastfeeding for BBC Breakfast

Dame Laura Kenny, Olympic cycling champion, visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as part of a BBC Breakfast feature exploring the challenges, stigma, and benefits of breastfeeding.

During her visit, Laura spoke with Dr Cheryl Battersby, Consultant Neonatologist at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Associate Professor in Neonatal Medicine at Imperial College School of Public Health. Dr Battersby discussed the research surrounding the benefits of breastfeeding—particularly for premature babies—and highlighted the significant challenges many women face. She also emphasised the importance of providing the right support to ensure mothers feel empowered, without pressure or stigma.

Dr Cheryl Battersby said: “Maternal breast milk can offer powerful benefits, particularly for premature babies, but we need to be honest and acknowledge that many mothers face challenges. As health professionals, our role is to provide accurate and evidence-based information so parents can make an informed choice of feeding, and we will support them as best we can with their feeding journey. 

No one should ever feel judged for how they feed their baby — ultimately, what matters most is that babies are fed, nourished, and thriving.”

As part of the BBC Breakfast piece, Abbie Mason‑Woods, mother of preterm twin girls who spent time in the hospital’s NICU, shared her personal breastfeeding journey and the support she received during her babies’ early care.

Watch the full clip on BBC Breakfast from Monday 23 March 2026 below.