Swaddling and sleeping on side with a positioner - ok?

[nevviemama]

Hi, been having trouble with my 17 wk (13.5 adjusted) with putting her down at night, and more recently for naps. On the 3hr easy that seems to work for the most part, will soon be trying for 3.5.
Last week or so it's been lots of crying and then sh/patting to get her to sleep at night. Tonight was no exception. She did have some gas I did notice, she's had trouble with that in the past. I have her swaddled and on her back so sh/pat is on the shoulder usually (on her back if I'm holding her). However tonight she was so fussy, I turned her slightly to pat her back in the bassinet and she settled almost instantly. I've tried a positioner before and it didn't really work and felt awkward with the swaddle cuz the arm underneath is straight at her side. But tried it again and she fell right to sleep! She's more towards her back but slightly on the side, snug fit in the positioner and it's around her waist (her head is same orientation as when she's on her back, she turns her head usually to one side).

Is this safe and ok? I've always been leary of putting her on side or tummy, but I know the side can help with tummy issues. If she's swaddled is she ok like that for night sleeping? Will her arm lose circulation if there is too much pressure on it? I'm a bit worried but it seemed to help her so much.

[*Natasha*]

As long as she can't roll onto her front then i think that is fine. We use to have DD1 sleep on her side to help with reflux with no problems.

[Sarah - Enfys' Mum]

My dd slept like this until she was about 7 months old. 

[shelliz]

My ds also slept much much better when he was swaddled on his side. 

[kim&savannah]

Mine have both slept better on their sides--DS was actually put down swaddled on his tummy almost--I'd prop his belly up against the sleep positioner.  His neck was so strong so I wasn't too worried about SIDS.  (And I figured if he was sleeping so light that he woke up every 45 minutes, he obviously didn't have some deep sleep dangers, LOL).

~Kim

[nevviemama]

Her naps have definitely improved, it's quite amazing to me really that it could have been such an easy answer to all our woes??!!! I've become more comfortable with it (and thanks to all your comments!!). Last night I tried all night with it - she still had some night wakes, but later in the am around 5, she seemed quite uncomfortable so I removed the positioner. She had trouble anyhow after that with leg kicking and had a hard time settling. I'm going to stick with it for a few nights - could it be she's just getting used to it?

[shelliz]

I'm sure she is just getting used to it. There would be some nights that my ds would squirm alot and wake more often. I would second guess that he may not be comfortable in the positioner so I would take him off. I always ended up putting him back in, lol...but it really did seem to calm him overall!