A MUM has revealed her heartbreak after her baby daughter tragically died in her cot last month just days before her first birthday.

Nikita Williams, 25, described her 11-month daughter, Iylah Grace Hoggarth, as a 'happy and smiling' baby who loved Peppa Pig.

Miss Williams, who works as a home carer in Barrow, said Iylah was a 'happy surprise' who was born at Furness General Hospital on Valentine's Day last year.

"She was a really good baby, she didn't really cry or make a fuss, she was just perfect," Miss Williams said.

"She loved to listen to Ed Sheeran.

"She always did this little dance when his songs came on.

"And she absolutely adored Peppa Pig - it was her favourite programme.

"One of my most precious memories with her is her falling asleep on my chest watching Peppa Pig.

"I'll always treasure that."

Miss Williams was working at her new job when she received a phone call saying that Iylah had stopped breathing.

"Iylah had had a cough and actually went to Furness General Hospital but was discharged," she said.

"I went to work in my new job early the next day when I got a phone call saying Iylah wasn't breathing.

"There has been no explanation to why she stopped breathing.

"We don't know for sure yet but we think it was cot death."

Iylah sadly died on February 5, just nine days before her first birthday.

Cot death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.

Miss Williams said: "I tried to kill myself twice after her death.

"Once the day after her death and once the week after her burial.

"I couldn't cope with what had happened."

Miss Williams spent time in a psychiatric ward before being discharged with mental health support.

"I feel immense pain every day," she said.

"She was my only child and there is nothing worse than losing a child.

"It was so traumatic."

Since her daughter's death, Miss Williams has been visiting her grave in Thorncliffe Road Cemetery every day.

"The grave is sacred to me - it's where I feel close to her," she said.

"I just cry by her and tell her how much I love her."

Miss Williams has been raising money for the Bluebell Foundation which offers help and support for grieving families.

"I want to help families who have lost children like me. I've experienced it first-hand and know how horrendous it can be," she said.

Miss Williams said she will always remember Iylah and celebrate her life.

"We're going to celebrate her life every year," she said.

"I'll always remember her."