A heartbroken Dundee mum has launched an awareness campaign after her 18-month daughter suffocated under a stuffed toy.
Dexy Leigh Walsh suffered every parent’s worst nightmare when she discovered her daughter Connie Rose had suffocated overnight on March 6.
Dexy had stuffed the side of the Connie Rose’s bed with teddy bears to stop her falling down between the mattress and the wall and hitting her head.
It is thought a large teddy fell on Connie Rose as she slept.
Although Dexy tried CPR, her daughter, who was born on September 10 2016, was pronounced dead at the scene.
She was buried on March 21, with mourners releasing hundreds of pink balloons in her memory.
Dexy has set up a Facebook page warning other parents about the dangers of leaving toys on children’s beds.
On it she wrote: “On March 6 8.01am 2018 my life changed.
“I woke up to get my oldest ready for school to find my youngest baby had passed away.
“I have been blaming myself as she passed away due to suffocation as I had packed down the side of her bed with teddies and placed a big one on top of the smaller teddies to stop her from falling down the side of her bed, and she did exactly that but as it was all teddy bears she went under the massive teddy and fell asleep with the angels.
“All I think about now is what if I just left it empty she would still be here maybe with just a small bump on her head. It’s all what ifs now.
“But I want every parent to see and be aware of this. Let them fall – don’t try to stuff small places up with soft things, just leave it empty.
“She had a bed guard at one side and the smallest gap from her wall to her bed and that’s where I had put all her teddies – my biggest regret in life.”
Dexy added: “Please move everything off your kid’s bed and away from the sides.
“I really hope my little princesses tragic story can save someone else baby’s life.
“I miss you Connie so much. Life is so unfair at times.
“I’m so glad and proud you were my little girl. You made me who I am today and now I’m even stronger for your big sister.”
Dexy, who also posted a video on YouTube paying tribute to her daughter, added the tragedy had left everyone in her family “broken”.
The Lullaby Trust, a charity working to prevent unexpected infant deaths, said: “The Lullaby Trust would like to extend its condolences to the family at this difficult time.
“We advise that a baby’s sleeping space is kept as clear as possible, with no pillows, duvets, soft toys or cot bumpers.
“Unnecessary items in a cot can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if a baby’s head becomes covered. Items such as soft toys and cot bumpers can also increase the risk of accidents.
“Our safer sleep advice relating to reducing the risk of SIDS is relevant for babies under 12 months, after this age it is down to parental choice, but we are aware that some parents continue to follow safer sleep guidance after 12 months.”
