On your stomach is easily the least desirable position for getting a good night’s sleep. Sleeping with your face down in your pillow, puts your spine in an unnatural position. Waking up with a stiff neck or lower back pain can be a common occurrence. Yet, sleep habits form early and are often hard to change. If you must sleep in this position, there are important factors you should keep in mind when choosing a mattress. Finding the right balance of firmness and support can be a bit tricky. We’ll break down everything you need to know before making your purchase.
Support
As with any other sleep position, proper support and alignment are essential. Your mattress must have a solid enough structure not to allow your midsection to dip. Otherwise, the stress on your spine can cause lower lumbar pain. But, don’t confuse support with firmness. The two terms are not interchangeable. Proper alignment can be attained while still having pressure relief.
Firmness Level
Regardless of its support structure, a mattress that is too soft and pillowy can allow your back to sink and cause discomfort. If you sleep on your stomach, a medium firm is usually a good place to start. That said, firmness is entirely subjective. Personal preference depends on your physical makeup and pressure sensitivities.
Your Weight
A larger person with a higher body mass index (BMI) will require more structural support than an average size or smaller individual. The perception of firmness also varies with weight. A heavier sleeper will sink deeper into the mattress and interpret a mattress as feeling softer than a lighter person. Firmness scales are typically shown on a scale of one to 10. A medium firm is usually rated as a 6. This is based on a median weight of 180 lbs. Using this scale, a much heavier individual, say 250 or higher may need a 7 for the same firmness. Likewise, someone who weighs 130 lbs or less may require a 5. If you are purchasing a mattress online, be sure to take your weight into consideration when evaluating firmness ratings.
Our Top Picks For Stomach Sleepers
We’ve put together a list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. Remember to consider support, firmness, and physical make up when making your final decision.
Name | Firmness |
---|---|
Beautyrest Calista Extra Firm | 7 |
DreamCloud | 6 |
Saatva 14.5″ Firm | 8 |
Allswell Luxe Hybrid | 6 |
Avocado Green | 6.5 |
Happsy | 6.5 |
Saatva Zenhaven | 6.5 |
Nectar | 6 |