PROUD parents Katie Glenn and Robert Liddle took their newborn baby to bed to breastfeed and fell asleep with her by their side - when they woke little Annabel was dead.

An inquest into little Annabel's death found she had not accidentally been smothered by her dozing parents, but had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, known as cot death.

Today grief-stricken mum Katie spoke out to warn other parents about the dangers of sleeping with their babies and called for better advice to be given to new mothers.

Katie, 27, breastfed three-week-old baby Annabel in bed with her and her fianc Robert Liddle because she had been told it was easier to breastfeed lying down.

But Katie, of Temple Avenue, Tang Hall, was so tired she fell asleep while feeding and when she awoke in the early hours, little Annabel had stopped breathing.

Despite efforts to revive her, Annabel was pronounced dead at York Hospital.

Now, Katie is calling for more clarification of the guidance issued to parents about how to feed and put their babies to bed.

"It's very confusing for parents, especially first time parents," she said.

"At antenatal classes they say if you're having problems breastfeeding then to lie down on your side to help you relax but breastfeeding makes your body release hormones that make you feel tired. If you're tired anyway, you've got other children and it's been a long day then what happens?

"You fall asleep, as I did with Annabel.

"It's finding that balance. If you shouldn't be taking your baby to bed with you then you shouldn't be feeding your baby lying down.

"If I had another baby maybe I would breastfeed during the day, but then the last feed would perhaps be from a bottle."

At the inquest, York Coroner Donald Coverdale, pictured right, extended his sympathies to the couple for what he described as a "terrible blow".

The court heard how Annabel, who was born on April 20, had been fed at around 11.40pm on May 14 and the couple had taken her up to bed with them at their home in Temple Avenue, Tang Hall in York.

They had put her down on the bed between them and fell asleep, but woke up at 2.30am and realised Annabel was not breathing.

Mr Liddle jumped out of bed and phoned for an ambulance while Miss Glenn tried to resuscitate their daughter.

Further failed attempts were made when the paramedics arrived at the house and again once baby Annabel arrived at York Hospital, but she was pronounced dead shortly after 3am.

Consultant Pathologist Dr Christopher Wright, who carried out a post-mortem examination at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, said there was nothing to suggest anything unnatural had happened to Annabel to cause her death.

Dr Wright said there was no evidence to suggest she had been over laid by either of her parents as is often the danger when parents sleep in the same bed as newborn babies.

He concluded that Annabel most probably died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Mr Coverdale recorded a verdict of natural causes.

He said: "It's quite clear that there has been no injury and no disease in this case and the fact that Annabel died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a terrible blow to parents and is something which does occasionally occur.

"It is however a natural event so the only verdict I can record is natural causes."

Today, Katie said that shops and magazines were a source of confusion for new mums, encouraging parents to buy unnecessary items for their child's cot.

She said: "When you find out you're pregnant you go the shops and read magazines and buy everything to make your baby and the nursery look pretty.

"You want a Moses basket and the matching bedding and duvet and cot buffers, but guidelines to prevent cot death say you shouldn't be using them. They say it should just be a cot and a blanket and nothing more is needed.

"You feel pressured as a parent because everybody's telling you what you should be doing."

Katie and Robert, 37, are now looking to the future and will marry in two weeks time.

Their son, Oliver, two, does not remember much about Annabel, but goes to the cemetery with his parents.

"Annabel wasn't with us for very long but we will never forget her," said Katie.

She urged parents to be aware of the facts surrounding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

"I think it's important that parents read books and leaflets independent of merchandise or magazines so they cannot be swayed by merchandise.

"It's important to know the facts."

Cot death factfile

What is cot death?

Cot death is a term commonly used to describe a sudden and unexpected infant death that is initially unexplained.

What causes it?

A thorough post-mortem examination will reveal a specific cause of death in less than half of all cot deaths. For the cases that remain unexplained (SIDS), researchers think there are likely to be undiscovered causes. For many, it is likely that a combination of factors affect a baby at a vulnerable stage of development.

Do babies only die at night in their cots?

No. Cot death can occur anywhere and at any time.

Does it only happen to certain babies?

No. Cot death can affect any baby, but certain babies are more at risk, namely premature and low birth-weight babies and boys, and later babies born to mothers who are still young.

What is the usual age for cot death?

Cot death is uncommon in babies less than a month old, but rises to a peak during the second month. The risk then diminishes as the baby grows older.

How can the risks of cot death be reduced

Cut smoking in pregnancy - fathers too

Place babies on their backs to sleep. Do not allow them to get too hot or allow their heads to become covered

Do not sleep in a bed or armchair with babies if you have taken medication or drunk alcohol

Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers

If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly.

Advice from group

A spokeswoman from the Foundation for the Study of Sudden Infant Deaths Syndrome said: "The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in your bedroom for the first six months.

"It's dangerous to share a bed with your baby if you or your partner are smokers, even if you never smoke in bed or in your home, have been drinking alcohol, take medication or drugs that make you drowsy or just feel very tired.

"Avoid bed-sharing if your baby was born prematurely or low birth weight or has a high temperature."

Updated: 14:28 Friday, November 04, 2005