A BABY tragically died on holiday in Cumbria while co-sleeping in bed with her mother, an inquest heard.

Freya Bruce was described by her family as ‘the most beautiful little girl’ who was ‘loved beyond words’. The three-month-old passed away at the Solway Holiday Village in Silloth on May 16, 2023.

An inquest into her death held at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard Freya’s parents, Tilly Bruce and Jordan Mawson, of County Durham, had taken the tot on holiday with her great-grandparents, John and Frances Rainey.

They arrived at the holiday site at around 5pm on May 15. They unloaded the vehicle and then wandered around the site before heading back to their chalet.

They decided to go in the hot tub and had some drinks. Freya was in the front room in a travel cot and was never left alone. They all got out of the hot tub at about 10.30pm.

Miss Bruce and Mr Mawson moved the travel cot into their bedroom and this was where Freya was placed to sleep.

Freya awoke at about 3am and was given a bottle by her father. She was then placed into bed with her mother, who was unaware that she was in bed with her.

Miss Bruce awoke just before 7am and found Freya unresponsive. Mr Rainey gave CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. Freya’s death was pronounced at 7.20am.

She was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary to be examined. There were no signs of injury or infection.

Freya’s GP and health visitor said she was well-looked after and safe sleeping advice had been given to Miss Bruce.

A post-mortem examination was carried out but a diagnosis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) could not be given as the pathologist could not exclude accidental airways obstruction.

Overlaying was supported by the circumstances but there were ‘insufficient pathological findings’ to support this as a cause of death.

Kirsty Gomersal, area coroner for Cumbria, accepted the cause of death as unascertained.

Ms Gomersal gave a narrative conclusion, which said Freya’s death was unascertained in the context of co-sleeping with an adult.

Safer sleep advice from The Lullaby Trust:

• Sleep your baby on their back for all sleeps - day and night.

• Sleep your baby on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that it is in good condition.

• Sleep your baby in a clear cot or Moses basket that is free from pillows, cot bumpers,

soft toys and loose bedding.

• Share a room with your baby for the first six months.

• Keep your baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth.

• Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby as this can increase the risk of SIDS

by 50 times.

• Do not co-sleep with your baby if you or your partner have been drinking, smoking,

taken drugs or are extremely tired.