ELKHART -- Police are trying to figure out how an Elkhart baby died. They say they're looking into the possibility that overlaying could have caused the infant's death.

Overlaying happens when someone is sleeping with a baby, rolls on top of him or her, and accidentally suffocates the child.

It's happened a handful of times in Elkhart County already this year and officials say it can be avoided.

"It's something that doesn't have to happen," said Elkhart Police Department Lt. Ed Windbigler.

Police in Elkhart are looking into the possibility that a 2-month-old baby accidentally suffocated.

"There's a possibility because the child was in bed with his mother and biological father," said Windbigler.

Another child was also in the bed.

"They went to bed around 11:30 at night and the next morning when they got up at 7, or whenever it was, the child was not breathing," said Windbigler.

So far this year, three babies in Elkhart County have died from overlaying. And pediatrician Kehinde Animashaun says it's simple to avoid.

"Do not sleep with your baby," said Animashaun.

Animashaun says babies, especially those younger than 4 months old, do not have the ability get out of potentially harmful situations.

"But the baby doesn't have the reflexes and they don't have strength, or they are so fast asleep themselves. They don't know what is going on to push the mom or dad off or wake them up so they can breathe on their own," said Animashaun.

Parents often think sleeping with their baby is a good way of comforting them. But doctors say parents can do that in other ways, including putting the child in a bassinet near their bed.