06/05/2026

Woman's Hour delivers a powerful and emotionally resonant episode that tackles both urgent societal issues and deeply personal stories. The programme opens with a critical investigation into the unregulated baby sleep industry, exposing dangerous advice from self-styled sleep consultants with no medical qualifications. BBC reporter Divya Talwar and NHS midwife Olivia Hinge reveal how vulnerable new parents are exploited by influencers who contradict NHS safe sleep guidelines, including recommending front sleeping—a major risk factor for SIDS. The episode underscores the need for regulation and urges parents to rely on trusted sources like the NHS and Lullaby Trust. This is followed by a moving interview with Christine Daywood, mother of Suleiman Dawood, who lost her husband and son in the Titan submersible implosion. Her memoir, '96 Hours,' chronicles her harrowing 96-hour wait and the aftermath of grief, identity loss, and public scrutiny. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll and her efforts to build a healing legacy. The episode then celebrates Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday with Sophie Darlington, a pioneering female wildlife cinematographer who reflects on the male-dominated industry she helped transform. Finally, experimental duo Cog—Selina Kay and Keris Hogg—share how they create music from discarded objects, blending art, sound, and improvisation. Throughout, the show highlights grassroots conservation efforts, from hedgehog hotels to wildflower meadows, reinforcing the theme of small actions making a big difference.