Sleep experts advise stomach sleepers to try changing their preferred position; however, this may be challenging. With the appropriate mattress and pillow combination in place, however, this change should come easily without pain or discomfort.
Stomach sleepers require mattresses with extra support in order to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, keeping the spine aligned properly. An ideal mattress for these sleepers should have medium firm to firm feel. Anything softer may misalign it.
Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers require a mattress firm enough to prevent heavier parts of their bodies, like hips and midsection, from sinking too deeply into it. But they don’t want a rock-hard surface as this will place additional stress on sensitive areas leading to back pain. Our testers favored multi-layered memory foam or hybrid mattresses as optimal solutions.
Stomach sleepers require mattresses with medium firmness (roughly equivalent to 6 out of 10, according to Mattress Advisor’s firmness scale), or approximately 6 out of 10. A soft surface may still offer sufficient support and alleviate spinal alignment issues, however high-quality materials must resist sagging quickly for best results.
The Saatva Classic earned an 8 out of 10, and also performed exceptionally in terms of spine alignment (9/10) and edge support (10/10). This luxurious firm mattress boasts a soft comfort layer on top of an supportive coil system for optimal hip and torso alignment without too much sinkage into the mattress. Plus, its layers help regulate temperature by reducing heat retention.
Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers require a pillow that is both soft and flat in order to maintain neutral spinal alignment. A pillow that is too thick pushes their head forward into an extended position that strains their neck, leading to backache or shoulder discomfort. On the other hand, too small of a pillow could allow their head to sink downward out of neutral spinal alignment, leading to shoulder problems and shoulder ache.
Susan Miller, RPSGT is a certified sleep expert at SleepMattressHQ who advises customers looking for stomach sleeping pillows with low loft and adjustable fill. These will allow stomach sleepers to find their optimal combination of softness and support. Generally, she suggests buying pillows that measure no taller than three inches based on personal preference.
Finding a flatter and soft pillow may take some trial and error, with memory foam, down or down alternative pillows, and shredded latex being some of the top choices for stomach sleepers. Popular options for stomach sleepers include memory foam, down (including down-alternative options like duck feathers or geese feathers) or down alternative pillows being popular choices; memory foam provides a supportive yet plush experience that contours to the shape of one’s head for neutral spinal alignment while down (including goose and duck feather) offers classic comfort; these classic cushions compress easily making them an excellent fit for stomach sleepers!
Mattress Firmness
Stomach sleepers require a mattress with enough support for the heavier parts of their bodies to not sink too deeply into it, leading to lower back pain or keeping them awake at night. A soft mattress may be preferable but one with enough support should ensure a more restful night’s rest.
According to Gbolahan Okubadejo, an orthopedic spine surgeon, stomach sleepers should opt for a firm mattress with adequate spinal support and firmness that cradles their chest and shoulders while still supporting their spine – providing protection from back pain while encouraging proper sleeping posture and improving sleeping posture.
Mattress firmness may differ depending on the comfort layers used, but that shouldn’t influence its ability to support body weight of sleepers. To determine if one mattress is right for you, lay on it for several minutes and observe if your hips or shoulders sink significantly when resting on it.
WinkBed Gravity Lux mattresses are an excellent choice for stomach sleepers. Their flippable nature allows users to select their ideal firmness setting by flipping it. The firm side features AirCell memory foam, Zoned Progression Foam and ATLAS Core foam combining for a balanced amount of pushback and contour; the soft quilted foam conforms to body curves while elevating hips for proper spine alignment – plus this mattress ships free throughout contiguous United States! With an industry leading 120 night trial period and 10-year warranty!
Mattress Softness for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers sometimes receive negative press, but in truth it can help alleviate digestive issues such as heartburn and reflux, while simultaneously decreasing your risk of snoring and sleep apnea by keeping airways more open. For optimal results however, stomach sleepers should opt for firm mattresses to prevent spine misalignment and reduce back pain in the morning.
An overly soft mattress may cause hips and shoulders to sink excessively, straining your lower back. A mattress that is too firm can prevent enough upper-body sinkage resulting in neck or shoulder strain. To avoid such problems, find one with the appropriate balance of conforming support, such as innerspring or hybrid foam layers mattress.
Memory foam mattresses can be an ideal solution for stomach sleepers as their high level of contouring helps hug the curves of the body and conform to them more comfortably than many traditional mattresses can. Unfortunately, many foam mattresses also have deep softness which causes too much middle sinkage leading to spinal misalignment and discomfort; to find one with an appropriate middle feel. Hybrid mattress with pillow top layers offer additional support as they balance support with comfort.
