Why stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress
When you sleep on your stomach, your hips and abdomen are the heaviest part of your body and they're what presses into the mattress hardest. On a soft surface, that part of you sinks while your chest and head stay relatively level, leaving your lower back in a slight arch all night. Over weeks and years that adds up to lower back stiffness and, in some people, more serious pain. A firmer mattress keeps your hips at the same level as the rest of you, so your spine stays as flat as it would when you're standing.
What firmness should you pick?
For most stomach sleepers, medium firm through to extra firm works best. Medium firm gives a bit of cushion at the shoulders without letting your hips sag; firm and extra firm are better for heavier stomach sleepers or anyone who already has lower back pain. Avoid soft and medium soft mattresses if you sleep predominantly on your front.
Which materials suit a stomach sleeper?
Pocket sprung mattresses
A pocket sprung mattress with a firmer build is one of the most common picks for stomach sleepers. The individual springs hold heavier areas up rather than letting them sink, which is exactly what your hips need when you're lying flat on your front.
Orthopaedic mattresses
An orthopaedic mattress is designed for firm, even support and is a natural fit for stomach sleepers, particularly anyone who over the years has noticed morning back pain creeping in.
Memory foam
Traditional memory foam is usually less suited to stomach sleeping because it lets you sink into it, which is the opposite of what you want. If you love memory foam's feel but sleep mostly on your front, a hybrid with a firm spring core and a thin memory foam top is a better compromise.
What about pillows?
It's worth a quick word on pillows, because the mattress alone won't solve everything for a stomach sleeper. Use a thin, flat pillow (or none at all) when on your front, otherwise your neck cranes upwards and back, which puts strain on the cervical spine. A thicker pillow only works if you change sleeping position later in the night.
Sizes and delivery
We stock stomach sleeper mattresses across every standard UK size from small single up to super king zip and link. In-stock orders placed before 4pm qualify for free next-working-day delivery, and every mattress is eligible for our 60-night sleep trial when purchased alongside a mattress protector. Add our recycling service at checkout and we'll take your old mattress with us when we deliver the new one.