133 babies die in the UK each year while sleeping with parents, warns charity

Co-sleeping could be fatal for babies, new figures show.

The Lullaby Trust says that 665 infants have died over the past five years in Britain in cases where sharing a bed with a parent was a factor. "Some parents choose to share a bed with their baby but we recommend they keep in mind the risk factors," Francine Bates of The Lullaby Trust told the Mirror. Causes of death in these cases include suffocation, over-heating and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. "The chance of sudden death goes up when bed-sharing if a parent smokes, has drunk alcohol or taken drugs or is very tired," Ms Bates continued. "There's also an increased risk if your baby was premature or at a low birth weight. "Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby as it can boost the risk of SIDS by 50 times." An average of 133 babies - almost three a week - have passed away in incidences where co-sleeping was a factor since 2013. The Lullaby Trust recommends that babies sleep in their own cot or Moses basket for the first six months at least. The Irish Health Service Executive also recommends that baby sleeps on his or her own for the first six months of their lives. In Ireland, rates of infant deaths from SIDS have fallen dramatically over the past 30 years, from 134 per year in the 1980s to fewer than 30 in more recent times. This is largely down to better information campaigns and a greater understanding of the condition. You can read the HSE's guidelines for sleep and SIDS prevention here. Key tips include getting rid of any loose objects including blankets, pillows and sleep positioners from cots and maintaining a relatively cool room temperature.