Campaigners have warned babies are at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) after a new survey showed over 40 per cent of parents are not co-sleeping safely.

A poll of over 8,500 parents by cot death charity The Lullaby Trust to mark Safer Sleep Week this week has shown that 76 per cent have co-slept with their baby at some point.

However, more than 40 per cent of parents admitted to having done so in dangerous circumstances such as on a sofa, having drunk alcohol or as a smoker.

All of these circumstances greatly increase the risk of SIDS. Co-sleeping on a sofa or armchair was the most prevalent risk, with 40 per cent of parents admitting to having done so and 25 per cent having done so more than once. An adult falling asleep on a sofa or armchair with a baby increases the risk of SIDS by up to 50 times.