Stomach vs. Side Sleeping — What You Need to Know
While experts agree that stomach sleeping isn’t ideal for spinal health, many people still prefer it. Here’s a breakdown of the pros, cons, and mattress tips for stomach and side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping at a Glance
Only 7% of adults sleep on their stomach, but this position can strain the lower back and neck. Some stomach sleepers report fewer issues with snoring, though studies show it may worsen sleep apnea.
Benefits
- May reduce snoring for some adults
- Occasional relief for mild sleep apnea symptoms (though not medically supported)
Downsides
- Neck strain from head rotation
- Compression of lower back → chronic pain risk
- Increased facial wrinkles from pillow pressure
Mattress Tips for Stomach Sleepers
If you’re committed to stomach sleeping, the right mattress makes a big difference:
- Firm feel: keeps hips and spine aligned
- Thin pillow: reduces neck strain
- Supportive core: prevents midsection sinkage
Side Sleeping Statistics
Side sleeping is the most common sleep position, chosen by 40–50% of adults. Variations include:
- Fetal position — 41%
- Log position — 15%
- Yearner position — 13%
Benefits include reduced snoring, improved circulation for pregnant women, and relief from acid reflux. Downsides include potential shoulder/hip pain and facial wrinkles.
Mattresses for Side Sleepers
- Type: memory foam, latex, or hybrid
- Firmness: medium-soft to medium-firm
- Thickness: 10–14 inches
- Zoned support: softer at shoulders, firmer at hips
- Certifications: CertiPUR-US, GOLS, GOTS for safety
Causes of Hip & Shoulder Pain
- Poor spinal alignment from the wrong firmness
- Unsupportive or old pillows
- Sleeping on the same side every night
- Underlying conditions like arthritis or bursitis
Solutions: switch sides, use a pillow between knees, and upgrade mattress/pillow support.
The Mlily Ortho is a hybrid mattress with pocket coils and a layer of ventilated gel foam that has a very firm and supportive base that still offers great pressure relief. It's by far our top pick and if you buy through Yawnder, it comes with a 100 night trial, free shipping and free returns!
The Plank by Brooklyn Bedding comes in an all-foam or hybrid version. The all-foam version is great for eliminating motion transfer and partner disturbance. The Plank is one of the firmest foam mattresses we tested and you get the option to upgrade to a cooling top layer to help you fall asleep even faster.
Like firm but soft? It's a hard balance to strike but the firmer version of the Winkbed get's it right. I has a firm coil system with a firmer layer of foam above that for great support and then a layered eurotop that is cushy but won't compromise your alignment. Winkbeds get rave reviews across the board from mattress reviewers and customers. Winkbeds are a top seller in our store.
The Birch mattress is easily the best natural mattress for stomach sleepers. Latex is a much more resilient material than foam and will give you great support all night. This mattress can be a time warp for stomach sleepers in that you probably won't wake up at night wanting to change positions. Latex mattresses are naturally breathable and will sleep cooler than a foam mattress and while they are more expensive, they will also last much longer of course, they are also a better choice for the planet.
All Stomach Sleeper Mattresses
2 thoughts on “Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: Must-Have Supportive Choice”
looking for an organic mattress for a stomach sleeper. Any suggestions. The Happsy was too soft. LOVE LOVE LOVE the company! but just too soft of a mattress for me.
Looking for super luxury soft mattress