Warning after baby son dies in his parents’ bed
A CORONER has issued a warning to all parents about the dangers of co-sleeping with their newborns after a doting couple found their baby son dead when they dozed off alongside him.
Keeley Makin and partner Nicky Marsh would routinely allow onemonth-old Archie to sleep in his Moses basket in their bedroom but following a 1.30am night-feed they let the infant lie alongside them and one of their other children.
Later that morning the couple – who have three other sons and were described as ‘perfect parents’ – woke to find Archie unresponsive and dialled 999. They attempted to revive him but he was pronounced dead at hospital.
Experts said Archie died from sudden infant death syndrome. Tests showed he had sustained accidental rib fractures thought to have been caused by him being ‘squeezed sideto-side.’
At an inquest in Bolton, Miss Makin and Mr Marsh wept as police and a coroner called for great awareness about the dangers of ‘co-sleeping’ following the tragedy on November 17 at the couple’s home in Atherton.
Recording a conclusion of an accidental death, coroner Alan Walsh said: “There are probably hundreds of thousands of parents who may have infants sleeping in their bed this evening. But every one of those parents potentially puts their infant child at risk.
‘’Archie was 30 days old at the time of his death and was born into a loving, caring family and was born into a perfect home.
“He had everything that he could wish for as a baby. His brothers doted on him and as did his parents. He had no health problems apart from a cold. He was well looked after and on November 17 he had enjoyed a normal day. He was put to bed and woke up for his feed at about 1.30am. After the feed, he was placed in bed with his parents.
“It is likely that that had happened with other children and there had never been any problems with that situation. Nobody could have foreseen what would happen in the next few hours and it is unimaginable to wake up and find a baby unresponsive. You have my greatest sympathy.
“We know that Archie died and he did have some injuries probably arising from the co-sleeping.
“They were not the cause of death but would have caused problems with his breathing which led to his death.
“Co-sleeping is a main factor in relation to sudden infant deaths.
“One thing that can arise from Archie’s tragic death is an awareness. This is a risk that can be avoided and a death that can be prevented. You would never have imagined this would have happened. You provided the perfect home, you were the perfect parents and I am extremely sorry.”