Why do mothers abandon babies?
From The Slow Newscast by The Observer
March 26, 2026 · 22 min · Season 1 · Episode 388
About this episode
Alexi Mostrous explores the complex reasons behind why mothers abandon their babies, joined by reporter Lucy Greenwell and producer Katie Gunning.
Every year babies are abandoned by their parents. Following a long reporting project exploring the story of one foundling on a search for her biological parents, Alexi Mostrous asks, 'why do mothers abandon babies?'. To try and make sense of these complicated, often hidden stories, he's joined by the series reporter Lucy Greenwell and the series' producer Katie Gunning. Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 6 episodes. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Host: Alexi Mostrous
Guests: Lucy Greenwell, Katie Gunning
Topics covered
- abandonment
- parenting
- identity
- family
- social issues
Keywords
- abandonment
- babies
- mothers
- biological parents
- reporting
- stories
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Observer, Observer+, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Places: observer.co.uk
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