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A six-week-old baby boy has been smothered to death while sleeping in the same bed as his parents.
Police and coroners say newborns should never be allowed to sleep in the same bed - up to 12 babies in Auckland alone die each year after being smothered.
Police
were called to the West Auckland address last week after the infant was found dead in the morning.
Post-mortem examination results have yet to be completed but Detective Sergeant Megan Goldie said it was possible the newborn suffocated from "overlaying" - parents rolling over the top of the baby.
Goldie, head of the Henderson child abuse team, confirmed no charges would be laid.
"It was an accident waiting to happen, such a waste of perfectly healthy baby," said Goldie. "It's such a huge risk that parents are running with their baby. It's just tragic. One baby is too often. It's heartbreaking."
Babies could easily be smothered by pillows or blankets, said Goldie, and she urged parents to not sleep in the same bed as their child.
The latest death follows Northland Coroner Brandt Shortland warning of the risks of putting babies to sleep in the same bed as parents or siblings.
"As much as we love our children we might have to resort to banana boxes next to the bed for them to sleep in."
Shortland ruled over two inquests heard in Kaikohe District Court in August - into the deaths of 7-week-old Sampson O'Halloran and 9-day-old Kawereio Howard. Baby Sampson had been sleeping with his mother and 2-year-old brother; baby Kawereio with his parents and 3-year-old brother.
In June, Auckland Coroner Dr Murray Jamieson called the death of 5-week-old Abilene Lulabell Byford "completely unnecessary" and repeated his plea for parents to put babies in banana boxes or drawers instead of sharing beds. He estimated 12 Auckland babies a year died when sleeping with their parents.
Baby Abilene's mother, Camelia Waa, had been drinking during the afternoon and evening, later rolling over and accidentally smothering her.
"From time to time, in every court from Albany in the north to Pukekohe in the south, I am confronted by another unnecessary death," said Jamieson.
"And these deaths are among small babies who cannot defend themselves and they certainly cannot defend themselves against being overlain by another person - usually a parent or parents, particularly when alcohol or drugs are associated."
Jamieson first called for parents to use banana boxes for their children in October 2005, after eight infant deaths resulting from bed-sharing.
A midwife with 12 years' experience, Yvonne Daji, said new parents were given a lot of information when their baby was born. This included advice on how the baby should sleep and that on the "back is best".
"But in the end new mothers will do what they want to do. If they want to have their baby in the bed with them, they will," said Daji.
"They do it because they choose to do it. I find it's a cultural thing and sometimes it's easy because some mothers are lazy.
"I went to a mum who was busy downstairs while her baby was asleep on its tummy upstairs. I said it only takes minutes for a baby to suffocate. The good thing is that she's now bought a baby safety sleeper."
Plunket also discusses sleeping arrangements with new parents.
