Peppa Pig’s Mummy Pig is pregnant and the nation is reeling. Good Morning Britain announced the news on Thursday morning with an exclusive “live” interview with her.
“I’m excited to share that our family is getting even bigger because we’re having another baby,” the animated character told presenter Richard Arnold. “I’m due in the summer, and we’re all so excited.”
She added that she was “a little overwhelmed at the thought of having three children under five running around, but mostly just completely delighted”. The happy porcine family are yet to confirm a name.
Mummy Pig has big news to share!The family is growing ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ORFQCJAlrS— Good Morning Britain (@GMB)
The segment left many viewers decrying the announcement as “bonkers” and “unserious”, and well might they wonder why on Earth the pregnancy of a pretend pig is garnering headlines.
But it’s important to note the cultural impact Peppa has on children. The programme, which celebrated its 20th birthday last year, concerns the exploits of a family of four anthromorphic pigs and their quotidian activities, such as visiting grandparents or going to the park.
While the theme tune alone is enough to send many parents into a spiral, the show is universally adored by children and was the world’s second most popular children’s cartoon in 2024. It has won four Baftas, been broadcast in 180 countries, and sparked debates about gender equality, language and wearing seatbelts. Royal Mail even released a set of postage stamps to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Peppa is, indisputably, a pig with clout.
While it’s easy to dismiss a child’s cartoon as frivolous or trite, television programmes and films have a similar effect on children as they do on adults. Good TV and cinema teaches us about ourselves, shines a light on overlooked or dismissed issues, and exposes us to new worlds and perspectives. Pregnancy is undoubtedly a seismic event for both parents and existing children – and this is where Peppa comes in.
“The arrival of a new sibling can bring strong feelings in children,” says Dr Gisele Caseiras, a psychodynamic psychotherapist working with children, adolescents, young people, parents and families at LikeMinds. “It is a major event that changes their familiar world. Older children may feel jealous, resentful or insecure as they adjust to less attention from parents and changes in daily routines. At the same time, they may feel excited and look forward to the new baby.
“Children often imagine what it will be like to have a new sibling, thinking of them as a friend or someone to care for. Their curiosity about how family life will change grows as they wait for the baby. This event is important for their development, as it helps them learn empathy, manage difficult feelings, and improve their social skills by caring for a younger sibling.”
Mummy Pig is poised to announce her pregnancy during the final episode of the current series of Peppa Pig on 30 March – Mother’s Day. It gives younger viewers plenty of time to ask questions ahead of the matriarch’s new arrival. And it’s through the medium of television, fiction, film and play that children can safely explore new scenarios and feelings.
“Cartoons serve as a great tool for children navigating the emotional complexities of change, particularly when a new family member is arriving,” continues Dr Caseiras. “When a family is expanding, children can experience a whirlwind of feelings. Older children may feel excited about changes in the family, but they can also feel anxious. Like Peppa and George, children might worry that their parents will love them less or that their familiar world will change a lot.
“Cartoons give them a safe place to explore these mixed feelings,” she added. “Children can project their feelings on to fictional characters who face similar situations and see how others cope. In the cartoon storyline, they can observe that a parent’s love remains constant, even with the arrival of a new baby.”
Similarly to adults, fictional worlds act as a conduit for people to process and better understand their thoughts and feelings.
“The clear storylines and exaggerated emotions in cartoons allow children to safely process anxieties related to envy and fear of loss while at the same time seeing how the characters manage this experience,” adds Dr Caseiras. “This helps them understand that their feelings are valid and manageable.
“The cartoon parent shows love and care consistently, which helps children feel secure. This positive example allows kids to understand both the good and bad feelings about having a new sibling. The stories in cartoons help children deal with difficult emotions related to this change, supporting their emotional growth and sense of safety.”
So whether you find Peppa Pig and friends charming or tedious, remember that the pastel-coloured creations bouncing around the TV screen may well be helping your child process difficult emotions and teaching them valuable lessons about life. And isn’t that a sentiment we can all get behind?
“Parents should approach this transition with patience and understanding,” says Dr Caseiras. Here are her tips:
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