Well, thats what they are telling us now anyway.
I was a stomach sleeper-still am as an adult- so's my husband-we were born the same year- he in australia, me on the other side of the world in ireland- stomach was said to be safest that year! (worldwide, apparently!)
our first baby was born prem. She developed jaundice, after a couple of days, and had to spend 24 hours under ultraviolet light, in a humidity crib thing. We had to turn her every so often, so that her whole body was exposed to the light, so she spent half the time on her tummy- I was worried, but the nurses said that they always had lots of babies who slept on their tummies in the special care nursery.
After the 24 hours was up, it seemed our duaghter had developed a liking for tummy sleeping, and wouldn't sleep any other way.She also would not be wrapped the way newborns are supposed to like. She'd struggle and cry. I was freaked she'd smother.
The nurses assured me that she'd be fine on her tummy, that even newborns have the ability turn their heads if they can't breath.
So a tummy sleeper she became.
My second loved being wraped tightly, but would only allow us to put her to sleep on her right side. She would have none of back-.O.R tummy. She worried me more than my first! At least on the tummy, they've got a couple of options head-turningwise, but lying on one side- none really!
Now that she's in her cot, she still has a preference for the right side, but she'll turn over and sleep on her tummy or back. Once they get to about 4 months, they can roll wherever they like anyway.
Try to get them in the habit of back-sleeping from day 1 but also pay plenty of attention to bedding, cigarette smoke and the other factors,- no good having them sleeping the right way, but ignoring all the other things and hope for the best. It's all you can do. If you end up with a side or tummy sleeper, at least you'll know you are still minimising the risks.