Sharing bed hikes chance of cot death five-fold

A study has found breastfed babies under the age of three months who sleep in their parents’ beds face a five-fold increased risk of cot death.

Researchers estimate that 40% of cot death cases could be prevented if parents only brought children into their beds for comfort and feeding, but not sleeping.

At present, medical advice in Britain only says parents should not bed-share if they have been drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or if they smoke.