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Death investigations

Solicitor General for Scotland issues statement on safer sleeping for babies

Ruth Charteris KC is urging professionals to share advice and for parents to follow the available advice on safer sleeping after a review of deaths of babies reported over the last two years.

Date published

20 Mar 2026

All sudden, suspicious, accidental or unexplained deaths in Scotland are reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for investigation. This work seeks to establish what happened and to prevent deaths in similar circumstances in the future. 

COPFS has a responsibility to take action to reduce preventable deaths in the future. Investigations in the last year have highlighted common factors in the deaths of babies across Scotland.  

As Scotland’s deaths investigation authority, we are committed to transparency and, where appropriate, highlighting the outcomes of our investigations to the public. 

In 2024 (1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024) COPFS received reports of 65 deaths of babies. Of those – it has been identified that 15 babies died while co-sleeping. 

In 2025 (1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025) 57 reports of baby deaths were received with 14 babies identified as having died while co-sleeping. 

Analysis by COPFS has shown that of those 29 deaths, 11 involved alcohol and/or drugs consumed by parents and carers before co-sleeping. 

COPFS’s investigations involved considering the statements of witnesses, including parents and carers, instruction of expert reviews, and discussions with professional services. 

Each of these investigations is of serious public concern. 

The Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC said: 

“Every child is precious, and the death of a child is an unimaginable pain that no family should have to endure. 

“I hope that by sharing the findings of our investigations and by signposting to the expert guidance available, we can help prevent more deaths linked to unsafe co-sleeping and encourage open conversations about safer sleeping practices." 

Laura Buchan, Legal Director for Deaths Investigations, COPFS said:  

“As a mum I remember how tired I was in those early stages and how hard it can be for the whole family to get enough rest.  

“It is vital that families are supported to make informed decisions. Tragically, our investigations show that babies have died in co-sleeping situations, when the environment has not been safe.  

“The findings of COPFS’s investigations underline the importance of continuing to promote safer sleep practices with parents and carers.” 

Jenny Ward, Chief Executive at The Lullaby Trust said: 

"No family should have to experience such heartbreak. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we hope they all receive the support they need. 

 "The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, separate sleep space such as a cot, but we know that many families share a bed with their baby.  

 “Whether families intend to co-sleep with their baby, or fall asleep together without having planned to, it's important that families know when co-sleeping with a baby carries a much higher risk: 

 "Lullaby Trust advice to families is not to co-sleep with their baby if: 

•        Anyone in the bed has recently drunk any alcohol  

•        Anyone in the bed smokes or the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy 

•        Anyone in the bed has taken any drugs or medication that make them feel sleepy 

•        The baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or weighed under 5.5 pounds when they were born. 

 "We encourage all professionals working with families to ensure all families have a separate, safer sleep space available for their baby and discuss families planning ahead to avoid unplanned, high-risk situations.”  

Services to signpost to 

Support for families on co-sleeping more safely  

Professionals and families can read more about co-sleeping more safely on the Lullaby Trust website 

Safer sleep information | The Lullaby Trust 

Bereavement support: 

The Lullaby Trust offer support to bereaved families Find support | The Lullaby Trust 

The Lullaby Trust have a webchat for those who'd prefer to type over talk and their bereavement helpline is open Monday-Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm, and weekends and public holidays 6:00pm - 10:00pm. 

Held in Our Hearts offer online, phone and in person sessions, and sessions at home Held In Our Hearts - Providing baby loss counselling and support 

Scottish Government/NHS Scotland safer sleep resources. 

Other resources