What’s the Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers?

Have you been trying and trying to find a comfortable mattress but don’t know where to turn? Are you a stomach sleeper who is constantly tossing and turning or waking up tired and sore? We’re here for you. 

What You Need To Know About Stomach Sleeping

The downside that we should discuss early on is that stomach sleeping (or “prone sleeping”) is not really recommended. While it might feel comfortable to you in the short term, it’s actually bad for your body over time, especially for your spine. Proper support is key for stomach sleeping particularly in the center third of the mattress (lumbar area) to prevent back pain. When you lay on your stomach, it’s nearly impossible to keep your neck and spine aligned the way that they should be, which can lead to stiffness, back pain, neck pain, nerve pain and joint pain. And not just in your back and neck. That pain could actually be anywhere in your body.

What Type of Mattress Is Best for Stomach Sleepers?

Firm mattresses are good for people who sleep on their stomachs to keep the spine aligned and ensure that you’re getting the level of support that you need. When you’re sleeping on your side or even on your back, a softer mattress with a bit of give (or a lot of give) can be more comfortable. These are designed to let your body sink into the mattress, cradling the body.

But as a stomach sleeper, you don’t want to sink into the mattress. A softer mattress can cause spinal alignment problems and result in even more stiffness and pain upon waking. Instead, you want a mattress that will give you a good amount of support overall so it promotes proper alignment and helps you avoid hip pain and neck pain. 

Let’s talk about some common mattresses and how they work for stomach sleepers.

• Innerspring Mattress: This type is designed to give you plenty of support, though it doesn’t come with any kind of comfort mechanism of its own. It’s only the outer frame with the springs inside to provide support.
• Latex Mattress: This type is designed to offer more comfort and support. It also makes sure that your weight is more balanced. Plus, it tends to stay cooler throughout the night.
• Foam Mattress: This type is good for those who want more comfort and a mattress that forms to the body. But it’s not recommended for stomach sleepers because it provides less spine support.
• Hybrid Mattress: This is a mattress with springs on the inside but also a decent amount of padding and more for comfort. It’s actually good for motion isolation and spinal alignment, which is helpful for stomach sleepers.

Do Stomach Sleepers Need a Pillow?

Stomach sleeping typically requires the sleeper to turn their head 45 degrees in order to make breathing possible. This will give you enough support along your head and neck to align your spine better, protecting your neck during the night.  The best kind of pillow is a low-loft that has a good amount of firmness. A pillow that is too full or thick can put the neck into an awkward position, so it would be recommended to use a pillow that is not very thick or possibly no pillow at all.

What Else To Consider When Choosing a Mattress

Beyond firmness, mattress materials can impact sleep health. In particular, you want something that will keep you cool throughout the night.

For hot sleepers, you want a mattress with plenty of airflow. One that is going to wick away sweat easily. More and more mattresses are now made for people who get too warm at night, and when you’re sleeping on your stomach this can be even more uncomfortable. So make sure you’re considering all your options. 

You want to have a good amount of support, but that’s not only about firmness. You can also opt for a mattress with zoned coils designed to give just the right amount of support to different body parts. These can also add a little softer feel to your mattress even if it’s firm. 

Finally, consider your partner if you share your bed. Make sure you have something that you can both be comfortable with. A split mattress can provide different levels of support, or compromising on a slightly more middle-of-the-road firmness level might also help.

Getting the Mattress You Need

If you need a supportive mattress for stomach sleepers that keeps you cool and helps with spinal alignment, we can help. Contact Comfort King to find out more about your options and get a quote on the best mattress for stomach sleepers. For stomach sleepers, a mattress that is firmer than average is recommended.