'Danger' of baby sharing parents' bed

A Coroner has warned of dangers faced by babies

A coroner has called on the government to issue new guidelines for parents after a baby was accidentally smothered in bed by her mother.

Four-week-old Cerese Briggs, from Bradford died after her mother rolled on to her while they were both asleep in a double bed.

The inquest comes less than a week after a similar accidental death finding in the case of five-week-old Ellesse Viccars.

Ellesse, of Kettering, Northamptonshire, suffocated in near identical circumstances after sleeping between her parents on 14 April this year.

The dangers of overlaying are so severe and so tragic I believe it ought to be stopped

Mr Roger Whittaker, West Yorkshire coroner

Speaking at the conclusion of the inquest into Cerese's death West Yorkshire coroner Roger Whittaker urged the Department of Health to issue new guidelines to highlight the risks of parents sleeping beside their young children.

"It is a well-know fact that all mothers with young children are likely to be extremely tired when they go to bed.

"Therefore, they may not be able to be totally aware of what is going on.

"The dangers of overlaying are so severe and so tragic I believe it ought to be stopped."

Complex advice

Consultant paediatrician Dr Paul Davis - an expert in the study of infant deaths - said his studies show that in the past three years two thirds of babies who died unexpectedly were sleeping with their parents.

"The complex advice given to parents has not been effective," he said.

"Lots of people have simply interpreted it as bed sharing is safe so it is important that new advice is issued."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said there were currently no national figures available for the number of infants who accidentally died as a result of bed-sharing with parents.

"There is advice available for parents but everyone should use common sense.

"But parents should be careful not to sleep with infants when they are overtired, have been drinking or have taken any sort of drug that might make them unaware of their surroundings."