Warning as baby dies in bed with mother

Mothers are being warned by midwives not to allow their babies into bed with them after a new-born boy died in a maternity ward. The cause of Connor Walker's death at Leeds General Infirmary is under investigation but he is thought to have suffocated accidentally while in bed with his mother.

The trust that runs the hospital said yesterday that its procedures were under review as a result of the death. Mothers in Leeds have been contacted by midwives telling them not to allow babies into bed with them.

But the Royal College of Midwives contradicted the advice. Melanie Every, the RCM's regional manager, said: "The research evidence shows that it is perfectly safe to have the baby in the bed."

She added, however, that there were circumstances when it was not safe, such as if parents have been drinking heavily or are obese or heavy smokers.