A baby is always a source of joy to any set of parents. It is not surprising that most parents would want to not only soothe them when they cry, but also cuddle them whenever chance permits. But cuddling, in a recent data that studied the infant deaths in Victoria, Australia showed too much cuddling led to their unexpected deaths.

A landmark investigation whose results were obtained by the Herald Sun showed babies who shared a bed with an adult has been linked to nearly one in two sudden infant death syndrome cases in Victoria. The investigation exposed there has been at least 33 deaths in Victoria since 2008, or an average of 11 babies a year. Of that, there were seven co-sleeping infant deaths in 2008, rising to 15 in 2010.

A coroner, John Olle, will hold an inquest on the trend, which opens with a directions hearing today.

The results of the investigation was uncovered during the first giant investigation of co-sleeping done in Australia.

Sleeping with an infant is always a gray matter to discuss with parents.

"Sharing a sleep surface with a baby is a complex issue that encompasses many factors, and there is currently insufficient evidence to issue a blanket statement either for or against this practice," SIDS and Kids formal guidance was quoted by the Herald Sun.

At today's inquest, experts will discuss if suffocation and body heat contribute to infant co-sleeping deaths. Based from five child deaths, participants will try to draw expert medical opinion, as well as review the adequacy of guidelines about sudden infant death syndrome and co-sleeping.