A CORONER is calling on health chiefs to make it clear that babies could die if they share a bed with their parents.

Roger Whittaker voiced his concerns after a resumed Bradford inquest was told on Friday how many mothers were being given 'conflicting advice' about sleeping with their young children.

Now he is planning to write to the Department of Health and a number of primary care trusts in his jurisdiction in a fresh bid to reinforce his message about the dangers and to prevent similar deaths.

Mr Whittaker said: "In my view, on the evidence before me today, and on previous occasions when we have had to deal with overlaying, there should be unequivocal advice given to all parents of new children that co-sleeping can cause death and should be avoided."

Millie Taylor-Holgate was only seven weeks old when she died at her home in Lister Street, Ilkley, last February.

The inquest was told that her father, 32-year-old Edward Holgate, laid her on her back in bed less than two feet from his side with a pillow at either side.

When little Millie appeared lifeless the next morning, he picked her up and ran to the living room where her 29-year-old mother, Rebecca Taylor, was asleep. She tried to revive her with heart massage before paramedics arrived at the flat.

Millie was then rushed to Airedale General Hospital, near Keighley, but despite efforts by medical staff, she was pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination showed that the cause of her death was asphyxia.

The inquest was told that leaflets and documents are published for parents, issuing warnings on cot deaths.

Advice also highlights that parents should not sleep in bed with their babies if they smoke, take alcohol or drugs, or feel tired.

Health visitor Libby Dixon, who saw Millie before the tragedy occurred, told the inquest that Ms Taylor was aware of this.

But when she was asked what she thought about parents sleeping with their children, Mrs Dixon replied: "The position about co-sleeping is rather a difficult one because we have an organisation which actually advocates co-sleeping - the Baby Friendly Initiative - which promotes breast feeding. A lot of mothers are getting conflicting advice."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Whittaker said the information was a 'tremendous' help to any young mother. But he believed that it was not clear enough about parents sleeping with children.

"This court is accustomed to tragedy, but none is greater than when a little child of seven weeks dies, in my view unnecessarily.

"The grief which parents, and particularly grandparents feel on these occasions is beyond my comprehension. My sympathy to all of them is extremely great."

Mr Whittaker added: "Neither Rebecca nor Ed need reminding of the tragic consequences of co-sleeping.

"But I have a particular duty to make clear to others who may be involved in this practice of its dangers so that other little children may have a life before them to which Millicent was denied.

"The indescribable anguish of this tragedy which the family have suffered could resurface in any well-ordered family. This was a well looked after child, a well loved child."