FOLLOWING the tragic death of eight-month-old Olivia Leigh Picton, who died after an accident in bed, reporter Hannah Al-Othman investigates how guidance given to new parents over when children should have their own bed can be both confusing and contradictory . . .

LIKE many aspects of parenting, there is conflicting advice over when a baby should sleep in a bed rather than a cot.

But the debate came to the fore last week when Olivia Picton was found to have died after getting trapped between her bunk bed ladder and the mattress.

The eight-month-old’s mother, Katie Ross, told an inquest that she had been told that babies should be transferred from a cot to a bed at six months.

But both Katie and her partner, David Picton, felt the advice they had been given was wrong following their daughter’s death at their Burnley home last year.

National guidelines state that sharing a room is the safest option for the first six months of a baby's life, but advice on whether babies should be kept in a cot or a bed is conflicting.

Some experts suggest that babies should be kept in a cot for as long as 18 months, while others suggest that they should be put in a bed as soon as they are able to crawl.

‘Supernanny’ Jo Frost faced a backlash from parents earlier this year for her ‘irresponsible’ and ‘dangerous’ advice, which suggested keeping toddlers in a cot for as long as possible.

Parents were angered by her advice, warning that toddlers who are able to walk could injure themselves trying to climb out of a cot.

Some parents also choose to use a baby monitor, but experts have warned that they provide peace of mind where a healthy baby is concerned, rather than actual safety.

Experts advise that baby monitors should only be used as an aid and not as a substitute for adult supervision.

Olivia’s mother said, at the inquest, that she had discussed her baby’s sleeping arrangements with a health visitor, who had condoned Olivia’s sleeping arrangements in her own bed and own room.

Lynne Braley, network director for children and families services at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which has responsibility for health visiting, said: “This is a really tragic case and our thoughts and condolences are with the family of Olivia.

“The Trust’s health visitors work closely with families on all aspects of a baby’s care, including sleep and recommend that a baby can be in their own room from six months old.”

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is the UK’s largest parenting charity, which gives parenting advice and runs a network of local parenting groups, including one in East Lancashire.

The organisation does offer specific guidance on the age at which children should be moved to a bed.

NCT senior policy adviser Rosemary Duff said: “NCT provides information and support so that parents can make their own decisions.

“Generally, babies are safest in a cot or bed sharing with their parents until the age they start to walk.

“Most parents move their child from a cot to a bed somewhere between 18 months and three-years-old, but definitely before they can climb out by themselves.

“See the NCT website for safe sleeping options.”