A DISTRAUGHT mother woke to find her six-week-old baby boy lying dead in bed beside her.

He was a victim of sudden unexplained death in infancy, which used to more commonly be known as cot death.

George Robert Newman, of Woodland Drive, Colchester died from natural causes, an inquest ruled yesterday.

Baby George was born on April 9 and lived with his parents and three-year-old sibling.

The inquest, at Essex Coroner's Court, heard pregnancy was induced at 37 weeks and three days.

He was only 4lbs 10oz and was also suffering from jaundice.

Coroner's officer Karen Townsend said: "He was a small baby but feeding well.

"On May 26 at 5.20am, following an earlier bottle feed his mother woke to find him beside her in bed.

"An ambulance was called but he was unresponsive."

He was rushed to Colchester General Hospital but declared dead at 6.14am.

Police attended and there were no suspicious circumstances.

A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as sudden unexpected death in infancy.

An SUDI is an infant death which is unexpected and initially unexplained.

Many remain unexplained and can be caused by a variety and combination of factors while a baby is at a vulnerable stage of development.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray told the inquest the report does mention "close sleeping is a recognised risk factor".

She said: "A pathologist at St Thomas' Hospital gave the cause of death as sudden unexplained death in infancy.

"In light of all the evidence I conclude death was by natural causes."

She expressed her sympathy to his family.

Jenny Ward is the director of services for The Lullaby Trust., a charity providing advice on safer baby sleep.

She said: "Our sympathies go out to the family affected by this tragedy.

"Sudden infant death syndrome leaves families heartbroken and sadly research has yet to find the cause of it.

"However, there is evidence that proves there are steps all parents and carers can take to reduce the risk of Sids occurring. "At The Lullaby Trust we always recommend you sleep your baby on their back in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months on a firm, flat waterproof mattress in good condition.

"If you choose to co-sleep with your baby, avoid doing so on a sofa or armchair or if you or your partner smoke, have drunk alcohol, taken drugs or medication, or if your baby was born prematurely or was a low birth weight.

"If you are worried about Sids or want to learn more about safer sleep for babies, The Lullaby Trust has a free information helpline 0808 802 6869."

For information on how to limit the risks visit http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep