How can you "shhh-pat" and "back to sleep"?

[badguider]

Just reading the baby whisperer as my 3.5mo old is a real sleep fighter (violent wriggles and shouts in our arms before dropping off) and I can't see how to "shh-pat" him when he's on his back for SIDS risk reasons?
He's not going to want his tummy patted (?!)

Put him on his side while you pat, then roll onto his back once he's asleep. I found bum patting better than back patting.

My DS is 20mths now but I always found quite speedy bottom patting can really calm him down if he's upset or just v v wriggly.

How do you bottom pat? Do you put him on his front then try to turn him asleep?
(Sorry if I'm being dim but I can't get to my ds's bottom when he's lying on his back)

Put him on his side.

I would put a 3.5 month on me/my chest to shh-pat. As they were dropping off I would turn them horizontal...still shh-patting and juggling, the lower into crib, still keeping full body contact...then stand up (this is the moment the dummy is needed to stop the crying...continue touch any part of them to let them know you are still there.....then gradually retreat.