Are you a stomach sleeper looking for the best mattress for your bed?
Well, as you probably know already, not all types of mattresses will work well for you as a stomach sleeper. And the thing that is especially important is the firmness level of the mattress.
The best option for stomach sleepers are medium-firm to firm mattresses. Stomach sleepers must ensure that their hips are level with their shoulders, producing a neutral spine posture to avoid unpleasant bowing of the lower back. As a result, I usually recommend beds in the 8-10 firmness range for stomach sleepers.
Now, stomach/front sleepers will not only need firm mattresses they will also need comfort. Finding a mattress with supportive internal layers and comfy top areas for some early pressure relief is key.
An innerspring or hybrid mattress with a thin pillow top layer is likely the best choice for stomach sleepers.
What is Mattress Firmness?
In terms of feel, firmness describes a mattress’s sink and spring back factor of a mattress. An example of a firm sleep surface would be sleeping on a wood pallet, which is indeed common in some countries.
A highly soft sleep surface, such as a huge down blanket, would feel like sleeping on feathers. A hard mattress allows your body to relax closer to the surface, whereas a soft mattress allows you to sink deeper and become one with the mattress.
While each manufacturer may have its technique for determining firmness, a standard 10-point scale is widely used. Firmer mattresses are on the higher end, while softer mattresses are on the lower end.
The firmness of a mattress is mostly determined by several factors, such as materials and construction. The majority of models have a comfort system built over a support core.
The comfort system is primarily made to relieve pressure on pressure points such as the hips and shoulders. Polyfoam, memory foam, latex, and fiber are the common materials used.
Thicker layers made of less pliable materials lead to a harder surface, whereas thicker comfort systems composed of more conforming materials tend to provide a softer feel.
How do you Know if Your Mattress is too Firm as a Stomach Sleeper?
Stomach sleepers who weigh more than 130 pounds prefer the strong support from medium-firm (6) and firm (8) types, while those who weigh less than 130 pounds will appreciate the medium-soft version’s feel. While each firmness option has its own set of advantages, they all help regulate temperature and relieve pressure.
You’ll know your mattress is too firm if you wake up with stiff joints, have chronic backaches, have trouble sinking into the bed, and suffer sleeplessness due to sleep-related discomfort.
How Do You Know if Your Mattress is Too Soft as a Stomach Sleeper?
Persistent Morning Backaches
If you wake up with back aches after a long night’s sleep, it’s possible that your mattress is to blame. When you sleep on a mattress that is too soft, you will sink and hurt your back and spine. Morning back ache is a sign that your mattress is too soft to provide adequate support for your body.
Feeling Uncomfortable When Sleeping
Check your mattress if you’re continuously tossing and turning in bed and can’t get a good night’s sleep. Your muscles are not well relaxed if you constantly shift your position in bed. Your soft mattress could be the source of the problem, leading to other issues, including sleeplessness.
Persistent Neck and Shoulder Pains in the Morning
It’s possible that your mattress isn’t firm enough if you enjoy sleeping on your stomach and frequently wake up with neck and shoulder pain. Sleeping on your stomach puts a strain on your neck and upper back. If you wake up in agony every morning, your hips may have sunk too far into your soft mattress.
Trouble Getting in and Out of Bed
You may be sinking too deeply into the mattress and injuring yourself if getting into or out of bed becomes difficult. Getting out of bed should never be difficult, but if you find yourself trapped and unable to get out of bed, you should inspect your mattress. It indicates that your mattress isn’t firm enough.
You Feel the Bottom Layer of Your Mattress As You Sleep
The majority of high-quality mattresses contain three layers or more. The top layer provides comfort, the middle provides a transitional layer, and the lowest provides support.
The top two layers ensure that your body is comfy and tailored to your body’s curves. The bottom support layer should not be felt when resting on this mattress. Your mattress is too soft or worn out if your body sinks to the bottom layer.
Feeling Draggy During the Day
You must get enough sleep to be alert and productive during the day. It’s time to evaluate your mattress if you’re feeling tired and inattentive during the day.
This indicates that you are not enjoying the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep. An excessively soft mattress will have an impact on the quality of your sleep as well as the rest of your day.
Why Spine Alignment is Important
When it comes to spine alignment, people typically go to extremes. At first inspection, scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis are all visible when you have a misaligned spine: The symptoms of spinal curvature issues include uneven shoulders, curved backs, and even swaybacks.
Misalignment of the spine can be far less visible and more pernicious than you might think. The following are some of the most common signs of misalignment:
- Frequent headaches and migraines
- Numbness and tingling in the hands/feet
- Lower back pain
- Hip pain
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Fatigue
If you’re experiencing unexplained pain, it’s possible that your spine is to blame. Even if you aren’t in discomfort right now, misaligning your spine can cause difficulties in the future. These are some of them:
- Discomfort
- Herniated/slipped discs
- Poor posture
- Sciatica
- Reduced range of motion
- Joint stiffness
Having your spine well aligned, you will enjoy the following benefits:
- Optimal body functioning
- Optimal metabolism
- Reduced risk of spine disorders such as Joint stiffness, slouching posture, permanent bone or joint deformities, vertebral column fractures, and sciatica.
How to Achieve a Neutral Spine as a Stomach Sleeper
If you are a stomach sleeper, always keep your head upright to ease neck discomfort. When your head is looking down, a firm pillow under your brow can provide enough space for you to breathe. A firm pillow under the abdomen might also aid in maintaining a straight spine.
Choosing The Right Mattress Firmness Level as a Stomach Sleeper
As stated earlier, stomach sleepers require an ultra-firm mattress that would lift their hips in line with the shoulders.
One of the main serious problems these people experience is a soft mattress that makes their hips sag out of alignment with the rest of their spine. Therefore, they should acquire models that are quite supportive.
List of Mattresses Suitable For Stomach Sleepers
DreamCloud Premier – Best Overall
While many hybrids are on the market, I like the DreamCloud Premier for stomach sleepers since the upper layers of foam are soft but not overly so.
They relieve strain at the shoulders and hips without causing the lumbar area to deviate from the rest of the torso. This creates a straight line from head to hoof, which is great for prone sleepers.
A layer of springy pocketed coils at the bottom will also provide them with the necessary support.
Saatva: Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers with Back Pain
The Saatva is renowned for its unique coil-on-coil structure, stacks two rows of coils on top of each other. This gives the mattress a resoundingly hard sensation, which may be great for stomach sleepers experiencing back problems.
Back discomfort is most common in stomach sleepers because their mattresses allow their hips to drop into bed and become out of line with their shoulders. The bouncing support of the Saatva eliminates this problem.
Helix Dawn: Best Mattress for Back and Stomach Sleepers
Because of its support and firmness, the Helix Dawn hybrid mattress is a good choice for back and stomach sleepers. Back sleepers will like how the latex foam relieves lumbar tension.
Stomach sleepers will love how the bed’s firmness elevates their hips, maintaining a healthy, neutral alignment of their spines. Back pain can develop if your hips sink while sleeping on your stomach.
Combination sleepers should be able to move around effortlessly at night because of the Helix Dawn’s powerful combination of bounce and responsiveness.
WinkBeds Gravity Lux: Best Mattress for Heavy People
The WinkBeds Gravity Lux memory foam mattress is designed to accommodate persons who weigh more than 250 pounds.
It comes in three firmness levels: mild, medium, and firm, so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
The firm model, although all-foam, is a fairly firm mattress with a conforming “hug-like” feel. It’d be perfect for back or stomach sleepers who prefer a firm mattress.
Tuft & Needle: Best Mattress for Lightweight Stomach Sleepers
Despite its modest form, this bed is surprisingly firm and a good match for lightweight stomach sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds.
It’s critical for stomach sleepers to have their hips lifted so that their spine is aligned—this aids in the prevention of future back discomfort.
The Tuft & Needle is a little firmer than typical, making it excellent for light stomach sleepers who prefer a harder mattress than heavy sleepers. It would also be ideal for back sleepers.
List of Mattresses to Avoid as a Stomach Sleeper
As said earlier, stomach sleepers require a medium to firm mattress. Therefore, all soft mattresses are not a good fit. Below are some of the mattresses that are not comfortable for stomach sleepers.
1. Leesa Original
The Leesa Original is a high-quality foam mattress with a low price tag. The medium (5) feel and mixed-foam design provides responsiveness without compromising the comfort that many people look for in an all-foam mattress.
It should also appeal to hot sleepers who require close contouring to reduce pressure without retaining too much heat.
2. Helix Moonlight Luxe
Helix has a large selection of mattresses in various hardness levels, and the Moonlight Luxe is one of the softer options.
This model has a medium soft (4) feel, thanks to thick foam layers on top and a pocketed coil core. It should be comfortable for sleepers that value plushness.
3. Nolah Evolution 15
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid that comes in various firmness levels. The Plush (5) is the softest option, with 7 inches of adaptable foam cushioning sleepers to enhance alignment and relieve pressure along the spine.
A zoned pocketed coil system is also included in the mattress, which provides exceptional support, particularly around the torso and hips.
4. GhostBed 3D Matrix
The GhostBed 3D Matrix is a hybrid mattress that uses unique materials and design aspects to relieve pressure and regulate temperature.
The seven total layers work together to adjust to your body’s unique shape, and the balanced feel aids spinal alignment and relieves lower back discomfort.
5. Bear Elite Hybrid
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a high-end mattress with three firmness levels. The Luxury Plush design, which is the softest, conforms to the body to cradle it, enhance alignment, and relieve pressure in sensitive places along the spine.
Sleepers will get the cushioning and contouring they need without sinking too far, thanks to thick foam layers and a strong coil base.