If you are one of the many people who find sleeping on their stomach the most pleasant and relaxing, then this article is going to help you a lot.
Our idea is to find the highest rated and quality for you which is why we were focused on several quality-made mattresses, designed especially for stomach sleepers. Besides that, we want to make things clear when comes to materials and constructions, how firm it is, benefits and possible problems you may have by sleeping in this position.
Finding the best bed for the stomach sleeping position isn’t the easiest job; you have to be careful when comes to the level of firmness, what materials were used, top layer and inner layers, support and comfort, etc.
Everything should be well blended, so you don’t feel as if you sleep on the floor, and yet you shouldn’t sink into the core if you want to avoid lower back pain and poor spine posture.
You need to know the differences between foam, latex, pocket springs and hybrid constructions; we understand that not everybody knows the differences between these materials, so we shall discuss each of them separately.
Let’s check our top-grade bed choices for stomach sleepers.
Buying the Perfect Front Sleeper Bed
Best Firmness
The most important thing about the mattress is how firm it is. People who sleep on their stomach need to sleep on a surface that will not let them sink into the core. If you have noticed, all the beds we suggested have a moderate firmness.
It’s the ideal choice for this sleeping position, because the body needs a proper weight distribution that cannot be achieved with an ultra soft bed. On the other hand, a super firm bed can cause severe pressure to the chest and the whole front part of the body, which is why firm mattresses aren’t the best choice.
A moderately firm bed won’t cause you deep sinkage, and will keep your pelvis on the sleeping surface (the moment the pelvis drops into the soft layers, the pressure falls on the lower back, which is why stomach sleepers often complain about such pains).
Want to learn more about hard surface beds?
Go to: Our Top-Grade Firm Mattress Options
Proper Support
Every sleeping position needs a good posture, and such is the case for the stomach position. Your bed should provide you with the best support, which means you must never sink into the bed’s core.
A bed that was built with quality materials (no matter if it’s foam or hybrid), should always keep the sleeper on the surface; front sleepers just like back sleepers need a proper distribution of their weight, to have their spine in a natural position.
Besides that, their pelvis must never be positioned lower than the spine (it can happen if the bed is too soft, and this part tends to add more compression than the rest of the body). A well-supported body will not cause any pressure or tiredness; au contraire, the person will wake up rest and energized.
Are you experiencing a pain?
Read more: Our mattress guide particularly for back pain sufferers.
Weight Distribution
Moderately firm mattresses are ideal when comes to proper weight distribution. If by any chance you are used to sleeping on soft surfaces (and tend to be a stomach sleeper) you already have experienced lower back pain.
This happens due to poor weight distribution. The body needs to be equally supported; a stomach sleeper will cause more pressure with their pelvis, while the spine and the torso will remain a little elevated on the mattress.
This way your body weight is distributed unevenly and the whole pressure drops to your waist (lower back pain) and hips. The moment you lay on a moderately firm bed, there is no dropping, the whole body lays on an equal level, and there is no deeper compression to any part (pelvis, shoulders, head, etc.). Only in this case, you’d get a pain free and pressure free rest.
What Mattress Material Should Belly Sleepers Snooze On?
Memory Foam
This is the most common material that is used for the manufacture of many types of mattresses. If it’s high-density foam, then you can expect to sleep on a bed with an excellent support system, and that’s crucial for all sleeping positions.
When picking your mattress, make sure it has several layers (where the foundation and the middle layers are far firmer than the one on top).
People tend to pick this material because foams are quite good when comes to contouring and taking the shape of the sleeper’s body.
Stomach sleepers should always pick a blend of softer and firmer foams (especially for the base so they can get the needed support).
The con with this material is that there will be slight sinking, and with time the mattress may drop. If you sleep on your stomach, then this doesn’t favor you at all.
Read our comprehensive memory foam article to learn more.
Innerspring
Pocketed coils are a great material and when blended with foam or latex, make an excellent, supportive and comfortable bed that will not let you drop into the center and give you enough bounce. This is an essential feature for easier get up and switching to another position.
Innersprings are wonderful supporters of your body weight and are a better choice if you are a heavier (stomach) sleeper. You will cause compression to the mattress no matter how much you weight, but the innersprings won’t sink in and will always contour your body. Also, a mattress will always be firmer if it contains springs.
These kinds of beds will last far longer than all-foam mattresses and are never going to sag (which is super important not only for people who sleep on their stomachs but for all sleeping positions).
Latex
This material is also popular and works similarly as foam. There is natural or petroleum-based latex. It’s often used by manufacturers who want to provide their clients with a material that is similar to foam but doesn’t cause overheating.
Usually this material is placed in the top layers due to its natural response to the body weight and heat, but it isn’t strange for the manufacturers to use it in the middle of the mattress (core). This material also gives enough bounce, something that you can’t get from a foam mattress. Even though your body will set the shape of the mattress, it will not take too long before it adjusts to your frame and the getting up will be far more comfortable thanks to the bounce it gives.
Latex beds are known for their cooling effect, which is why this material is becoming more and more popular among manufacturers and clients.
You can read our complete latex mattress guide here.
Hybrid
These types of mattresses have the best of the best; there are layers made of foam, latex, and innersprings, so you know you’ll get enough comfort, responsiveness, cradling and above all support.
In most cases, people’s final choice is the hybrid construction thanks to all the qualities it offers. We usually recommend hybrids because they are one of the most supportive (and firmer) beds thanks to the pocketed springs that are placed in the middle, but also the foam in the upper layers that provide enough softness and yet is firm enough to keep you on the surface.
Usually, these types of constructions last long, aren’t causing you pressure or pain and above all they allow you to move freely. The edge support is always on a high level thanks to the springs and the firm foam, while the motion transfer is usually super low.
Gel
This material is quite popular among most mattress brands. You can come across many choices (no matter if they are foam, latex, springs or hybrids) that contain infused gel in their covers or the top layer. Adding gel in some part of the mattress is a sure way to protect the sleeping surface from overheating.
If you are prone to sweating and overheating (especially if you share your mattress with a partner) always look for fabric that is infused with gel; this is a sure way (besides breathable and natural materials) to get some more cooling and freshness during your rest.
Benefits & Downsides
Sleeping on your stomach doesn’t have that many benefits, no matter how comfortable it feels for most of us. Doctors say that the only advantage you get from sleeping on your stomach is that you are preventing yourself from snoring.
On the other hand, stomach sleeping causes all the body liquids and blood to drain to your face and front part of your body, causing swelling and bags under your eyes.
Besides that, if you don’t have the right mattress, you can cause serious problems with your back. This position will flatten the curve of your spine, which causes lower back pain (something that you have already felt if this is your favorite way to sleep). Also, this sleeping position can cause some serious neck problems. Speaking of the neck, it’s extremely important to have a quality pillow.
Doctors often recommend sticking a pillow below your hips so you can lift your spine enough so it can remain in a natural position.
However, not many people will accept this recommendation. This is why it’s important to pick the right mattress with right firmness and support that will not cause you any sinkage, and disturb your spine balance.
Importance of Quality Pillow
Now that you picked the most suitable mattress for your stomach sleeping, you’ll need a quality pillow that will keep your neck and shoulder balanced, and your head lifted from the surface (so you don’t get up with a puffy and swollen face).
What you need to know about your pillow is that it must not be too thick or overstuffed, because it will disturb your body balance.
Such pillows are keeping the head elevated more than it’s necessary, causing painful pressure in your neck and to the entire spine. This is a dangerous thing and should not be taken lightly; these pillows can cause misalignment of your spine and neck.
You’re the one who should pick the right pillow depending on your sensation, but make sure it isn’t overstuffed or super flat because in both ways you’d feel discomfort. The main thing you need to pay attention is the alignment of your neck and spine.
When buying a new mattress and pillow, lay down and see if there this alignment is proper. Stomach sleepers need bigger pillows so they can hug them, but also they should stick to pillows that are easy to mold and that provide a cooling effect.
Your pillow must not make your rest painful or uncomfortable; only then you can say that you picked the right one.
Top 3 Front Sleepers Bed Reviewed
Nectar – Perfect Level of Firmness (Medium Firm)
Features:
- Balanced support and comfort
- Excellent price
- Quality materials
- Forever warranty
Our Ratings: 9.7/10
Nectar is a superb bed, one of the best choices for stomach sleepers. Made of dense memory foam, Nectar is moderately firm and will not let you sink in and will keep your spine in a natural position, without putting pressure on your lower back. The manufacturers used fabrics that are breathable so your sleep can be carefree, dry and without overheating.
The very first layer has infused gel which combined with the quilted cover, makes Nectar a plushy, soft (only the top layer), breathable and very comfortable bed.
Its thick foam gives this mattress longevity; you’ll get a great contouring and lovely cradling the moment you lie on it. The memory foam slowly responses to your body frame and heat; it needs several seconds to take your shape when you change positions.
Since this is an all-foam bed, it doesn’t have the highest level of edge support, although your weight gets a proper distribution when you lay down. Sitting or sleeping near the edges will cause sinking, but that’s normal when comes to foam mattresses.
We reviewed Nectar, and you can find the extended version here.
Puffy – Great Pick for Belly Sleeping (Ideal Firm)
Features:
- Memory foam
- Medium firm
- High-density polyfoam core
- Lifetime warranty
- Worldwide shipping
Our Ratings: 9.5/10
Puffy is a moderately firm bed that is constructed with foam layers only. This mattress is very comfy thanks to its design.
The manufacturers used modern technology and foams with excellent quality. Made in the USA, Puffy is excellent for every sleeping position, but if your choice is sleeping on your stomach, you’d have an excellent rest.
This medium firm bed will make you feel as if you sleep on a cloud. Resting on Puffy won’t cause you any pressure in the usual pressure points. It will help your blood flow without problems which will help you wake up with more energy and without pain.
You can get it for an excellent price, plus the company offers a discount; besides that, the lifetime warranty makes it one of the highest recommended choices.
WinkBed – Budget Friendly (Firm)
Features:
- Excellent comfort
- Hybrid construction
- Medium firm
- You can regulate cooling/heating
- Excellent edge support
Our Ratings: 9.4/10
WinkBed looks like a high-end mattress, but it has an excellent and budget-friendly price. This is a moderate firm bed with solid construction, a hybrid made of memory foam and pocketed coils, that combined give an excellent comfort, decent edge support, low sinkage and no pressure.
Its level of firmness is excellent for all sleeping positions; if you sleep on your stomach, you’d have the perfect rest ever.
This is a mattress that will evenly distribute your weight (no matter how much you weight) and will reduce all the pressure from the usual pressure points (especially for stomach and back sleepers). The coils give enough bounce, and the edge support is wonderful even when you sit, the sinkage is quite low.
What we love about this bed is its CoolControl base that allows you to pick your cooling or heating level.
You can increase the temperature up to +30 degrees (Fahrenheit) or lower it down to -10 degrees (Fahrenheit).
Our Final Thoughts
Front sleepers are a bit more specific than the others because they need a proper distribution of their weight, a moderately firm mattress that won’t let them sink in and enough support to keep their body in a proper and natural alignment free of any pressure and pain (especially in their lower back).
There are many things you ought to pay attention to when you buy moderately firm beds (for this sleeping posture) such as firmness, materials (foam, latex, springs), edge support, sinkage, and comfort.
Besides that, you need to have a decent pillow that won’t cause additional pressure on your neck and lower back. Stomach sleepers should be far more careful because this position brings much more risk than any other position. We hope you now have a better understanding on which mattress is the best for those who sleep on belly (stomach).