5 Best Pillow For Stomach Sleepers (Reviewed in 2020)
As comfortable as it may seem, sleeping on your stomach is fairly hazardous for your body. This is why you will need a stomach sleeper pillow that will support your neck and head adequately throughout the night.
A pillow with thick cushioning will push your head up in an unnatural position, which is why a thinner pillow would be more recommended for you.
As a stomach sleeper, you need to counter-balance your body in a way that does not stress the neck, and the best pillow for stomach sleepers may help you with that.
This type of pillow can alleviate health problems that are prone to appear from sleeping on the stomach, thus, soothing the pressure exercised on the neck and spine.
If you aren’t exactly certain what product to pick for your front sleeping habits, you might want to give this guide a try. It offers a range of important guidelines and recommendations that will make your job much easier.
Recommended Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
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What You Need to Know About Sleeping on Your Stomach
Depending on the way you approach the issue, sleeping on your stomach can be fairly dangerous for you. Granted, this position may efficiently prevent sleep apnea and snoring. Nevertheless, it could be stressful on your back.
Hence, if you sleep like this on a regular basis, it may not only lead to poor sleep, but to discomfort throughout the rest of the day. Plus, if you are pregnant, sleeping on your stomach may be uncomfortable. (Source)
Most of the problems begin with the spine. Studies conducted by Mayo Clinic suggest that stomach sleepers receive more strain to the spine and back, simply because all the weight is exercised on the body’s middle. This will make it much more difficult to keep onto a neutral, pain-free position.
Plus, if the spine is stressed, this will impact other body structures as well. Essentially, your spine is a pipeline for your nervous system, which means you can feel pain just about anywhere simply because of the spinal stress.
Experiencing numbness and a tingling sensation is also common, and you might feel that parts of your body “fell asleep” – leaving the rest of your body awake.
After the spine, the danger shifts towards your neck. Think about it: unless you have somehow found out a way to breathe through the pillow, you’ll have to keep your head turned towards the side. As a result, your spine and head will be out of alignment, and your neck will be twisted throughout most of the night.
If, despite the warning, you still can’t kick your stomach sleeping habits, you might want to try the following tips:
Ideally, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach altogether and learn to sleep on your side. A pillow for side sleepers will help you with that. Otherwise, align your spine with your stomach sleeping position using the right pillows.
Benefits of a Stomach Sleeper Pillow
Nevertheless, it’s not a good idea to get a pillow designed with side sleeping in mind if you tend to sleep more on your stomach. It’s going to apply a lot of pressure on your spine, and you will no longer be able to get that much-needed sleep.
This is exactly why you need to invest in a pillow suitable for front sleeping rather than picking “anything that fits.” The right pillow for stomach sleepers will:
Your average pillow will support your neck while you are on the side and back, due to their thickness. Stomach pillows, on the other hand, support the neck by barely even being there.
Since these pillows are very thin, they will not lift your head awkwardly, nor will they keep your spine in an unnatural alignment. Even though you can’t do anything about the neck-twisting part, you will significantly reduce the pressure by keeping the spine aligned.
On that note, buying a pillow for stomach sleepers will keep your spine in a relatively straight line – therefore, you should no longer wake up with a painful neck in the morning.
What type of pillow is best for stomach sleepers?
The type of pillow which is best for stomach sleepers must generally fulfill the conditions listed below in which they have to be thin and firm while having the right shape to provide adequate support.
Types of Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Depending on the sleeping position that you adopt, as well as your personal preferences, there are a few types of pillows that you might consider purchasing:
Important Factors to Consider When Buying a Stomach Sleeping Pillow
In order to ensure a good night’s sleep, you need to make sure your pillow addresses your particular needs. Before settling, here are some factors worth taking into account:
5 Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers (Reviewed in 2019)
Stomach sleeper pillows are a great way to ensure a comfortable front sleeping experience, which will, in turn, improve your overall health, both mentally and physically. Finding the right pillow can sometimes be challenging.
Here are 5 great pillows for stomach sleepers in the market:
1. Pancake Adjustable Layer Stomach Pillow
This pillow is one of the most popular pillows on the market, regardless if you are a stomach, side or back sleeper. The reason why this appeals so much to stomach sleepers is its versatility.
On that note, the most convenient part of the Pancake Pillow is you can adjust its layers, depending on your personal preference.
It has a total of six soft microfiber-filling layers you can insert or remove. As a belly sleeper, you are likely to require only need one or two layers.
Additionally, the case is equally handy, since it’s made from high-quality 300-thread cotton. A stomach sleeper that spends most of their night with their cheek strapped to the pillow will appreciate its fineness.
The fact that it’s made from microfiber material is also perfect if you are struggling with allergies. Even if your face is practically squished into the pillow, you won’t have respiratory issues, nor will you be overheated.
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2. Elite Rest “Slim Sleeper” Natural Latex Foam Belly Pillow
This almost-three-inch pillow is perfect for stomach sleepers simply because it doesn’t lift your head up too much.
It’s a very slim pillow made from just one piece of natural latex, which is anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, mildew resistant, and anti-dust mites. That makes it ideal for those coping with allergies.
Another excellent thing about latex is the ventilation. Latex doesn’t retain part of the body’s heat, meaning that needn’t worry about overheating or anything of the sort. Plus, latex is one of the most durable materials, which is another advantage.
Furthermore, this pillow accompanied by a soft cotton cover you can remove and wash whenever you deem it necessary.
Some people claim that this billow is a bit on the firm side. Nevertheless, this could be a matter of personal preference, as most people consider this pillow being an excellent investment, as it diminished neck pain and discomfort.
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3. Elite Rest “Ultra Slim Sleeper” Memory Foam Pillow
If you feel like the “Slim Sleeper” is too firm and thick, then you may want to turn it down a notch and go for the “Ultra slim Sleeper” model.
Measuring only 2.5 inches, it’s best for stomach sleepers that sense even the slightest elevation from the mattress.
The Elite Rest has a half-pillow design: it’s flat on one side and normal on the other. Thanks to the flat bottom, the pillow won’t shift around during the sleep.
At the same time, that fact that it’s made from memory foam will ensure that the pillow supports your neck properly, without altering the correct position of your spine.
The memory foam is also hypoallergenic and anti-microbial, making it perfect if you sleep on your stomach or you have allergies.
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4. eLuxurySupplySoft Down Pillow For Stomach Sleeper
This pillow is not like your average pillow for stomach sleepers, simply because it’s made of down instead of the regular memory foam. This one is the perfect choice for those sleepers that prefer soft pillows that have a lot of “give.”
At the same time, this pillow is a lot thicker than your average pillow for stomach sleepers, but once your head hits it, this thickness will quickly go down. This means you get a soft pillow that will keep your spine straight while making you feel as if you are floating on a cloud.
A feature appreciated by most users is that the pillow is machine washable. In fact, with appropriate maintenance and care, it should last you a few years.
Not every stomach sleeper will like this option since they feel bothered by the “puff” forming in front of your face, and it might make you feel rather warm throughout the night – but it’s the perfect alternative if you like soft pillows instead of firm ones.
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5. Downlite Extra Soft Down Pillow
This is another pillow that breaks the standard of regular stomach sleeper pillows.
Made from high-quality duck down, this ultra soft pillow will reduce in loft size whenever your head hits the pillow.
Since it’s filled with hypoallergenic down, breathing through the pillow will not be an issue for you in the case in which you have an allergy, or you’re hyper sensitive.
The filling is also breathable, so even if you are sleeping face-front on the pillow, your face will still feel cool.
At the same time, this is surprisingly durable for a down pillow, considering that it is classified as machine washable. That means it offers great value for the money.
Overall, this is a pillow that we recommend for every stomach sleeper looking for an extra touch of softness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This guide should provide you with enough information to make an educated buying decision. However, if you require quick answers to specific questions, then this section will be helpful. I will be answering a few questions that my readers seem to have.
Is it bad for you to sleep on your stomach?
The short answer is yes. Although sleeping on your stomach seems to help with snoring, it’s actually strains your back and neck which leads to poor sleep and discomfort. In extreme situations, it might lead to pain at the back and neck area. Choosing the right pillow suited towards stomach sleeping is crucial to reduce the negative effect.
Can you sleep on your stomach with a pregnancy pillow?
No. A pregnancy pillow is designed towards supporting pregnant mothers. While it might be almost the same as ordinary pillows, the pregnancy pillow is most likely not going to be suitable for you since it’s obviously made much thicker to support pregnancy.
Where do you put a pillow when sleeping on your stomach?
When sleeping on your stomach, you have to put a thin pillow under your face and also your stomach and pelvis area to better align your spine during the sleep. As mentioned above, this is important to reduce the negative effect of stomach sleeping.
Is my pillow good for stomach sleepers?
My Pillow thinnest version is good for stomach sleepers. If you are interested in learning more about how MyPillow can be a great stomach sleeping pillow, feel free to check out our full mypillow review.
Does sleeping on your stomach make your stomach flat?
Sleeping on your stomach will not make your stomach flat, at least it will not be flat permanently. You will not generate muscles or burn fats while sleeping on your stomach and therefore it will not reduce belly fat.
Must Read: Before You Go!
Sleeping on your stomach may not be the healthiest position, but we can’t dictate the way in whichour body feels most comfortable. Nevertheless, if you prefer this sleeping position, you should invest in a pillow that does not force your neck or spine into an awkward position.
On that note, the best pillow for stomach sleepers will keep your spine aligned as much as possible, allowing you to wake up pain-free in the morning.
Essentially, the thickness of the loft is the most important aspect when choosing the pillow, followed closely by the firmness – although the latter depends on your personal preferences. We hope our guide and selection of thin & low-profile pillows will help you make the best choice for your habit of front sleeping.
About the Author Jessica Larsen
I am a big advocate that having great sleep is something everyone deserves. With over 10 years of experience in this field, I would love to use this platform as a means to help you achieve a good night's sleep.
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