Co-sleeping tummy-to-tummy, is it safe?

[Shades]

I've been looking at co-sleeping stuff on the net (it's what I plan to do when I eventually have a baby - I'm TTC at the moment) and I've come across a few people mentioning sleeping with their very young baby lying on their tummy...
Now I used to do this for short naps on the couch with my little brother (he's 17 years younger) and we never had any concerns, but I'm wondering now, is it SAFE to do? In terms of the whole 'baby on back or they're sure to die from SIDS' research.
I know couches aren't recommended because baby could slip down the side or whatever.

I'm talking more about in a double or queen bed (on my own) - would it be safe to let baby sleep on his/her belly on my tummy? Setting aside the standard co-sleeping risks - I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, I'm of average weight, no heavy/fluffy blankets, firm mattress etc.

[Schmickers]

I am a co-sleeping supported, but my instinct would be to say no - sleeping next to you on a firm mattress would be safer. My main worry would be you rolling and the baby tumbling off your tummy.

I always tended to co-sleep with mine next to me, usually in the crook of my arm. DW always has them next to her, on their own, but she is a tummy sleeper herself.

[Shades]

Thanks - I never worried about my brother sleeping on me, because I could never fall into a DEEP sleep as I was always too aware of him. I'm not a mover when asleep but I can still see your point about better safe than sorry.

[meow]

We slept like this in the early days. It was in bed so I was flat on my back and I had no inkling to roll- there was a baby on my chest! Even in my (very tired and zonked out) sleep I wouldn't have rolled. That said I have no idea if it's safe and please don't take this as a recommendation... just a mother to mother anecdote that 'yes, I did that'. We only did it pure desperation as our baby wouldn't sleep any other way and I literally couldn't stay awake any longer.

[mgm]

with ds (and now with dd) i slept tummy-to-tummy but on our sides - with baby cuddled against me. no idea what the sids people have to say about this, but it's been just the two of us in the bed and no doonas to reduce risk of suffocation. when i can, i get dd to sleep on her back next to me.

[Haydies]

Originally Posted by ren

We slept like this in the early days. It was in bed so I was flat on my back and I had no inkling to roll- there was a baby on my chest! Even in my (very tired and zonked out) sleep I wouldn't have rolled. That said I have no idea if it's safe and please don't take this as a recommendation... just a mother to mother anecdote that 'yes, I did that'. We only did it pure desperation as our baby wouldn't sleep any other way and I literally couldn't stay awake any longer.

I know I'm a bit late coming into this thread, but I could have written that post word-for-word. I too slept like that, often, when DD wouldn't sleep properly. I remember reading that as a mother, you have an inbuilt awareness of your baby and you won't roll or let them roll off you.

Like above, I have no idea on the "safety" of this, just sharing...

[Shades]

Thank you