You’ve been a stomach sleeper since day one. I’m sure someone has told you that you should sleep on your back, but stomach sleeping is a tough habit to break. It’s easy to start on your back, with being awake and all, but when you wake up at 3 a.m to pee, guess what? That’s right, you’re on your stomach again. Stomach sleeping often gets a bad rap. A quick Google search will unleash a series of blog posts, newspaper, and magazine articles, all condemning stomach sleepers to a life of back pain. But there is a right and a wrong way to sleep on your stomach. Here are the best pillows for stomach sleepers in 2021:
Should I use a Pillow if I Sleep on My Stomach?
Contrary to popular belief, you can use a pillow, but make sure to choose the right kind. Thinner pillows are essential to safe stomach sleeping. While a big, fluffy pillow might be all the rage in commercials, it can be dangerous for those who must sleep on their tummies because they stress the shoulders, neck, and even your spine alignment (yikes!).
When Should I Avoid Sleeping on My Stomach?
Some people should avoid sleeping on their stomachs at all costs (which is a tough habit to break). Pregnant women generally want to avoid sleeping on their bellies. The pressure between your body and the mattress can pose a potential danger to your baby. And we realize this is going to be a difficult habit to break and probably uncomfortable, but we know you’d do anything for your sweet bundle of joy.
Also, if you suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma, sleeping on your stomach can worsen asthma symptoms or trigger a potential nighttime attack. If these scenarios apply to you, make sure to talk to your doctor about the best sleep solutions for your health.
Are Some Materials Better than Others for Stomach Sleeping?
Yes! When it comes to stomach sleeping, buy a pillow made from memory foam, latex, or down-alternative (the latter meaning no feathers, unlike real down pillows). A nice bonus: latex is also great at preventing creepy crawlies like bed bugs from calling your mattress home.
Memory foam can help with proper spinal alignment, making it ideal for stomach sleepers who suffer from back pain. Each of these materials has both benefits and drawbacks. Carefully do your research to choose the best option for your individual needs.
What’s the Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
For the reasons mentioned above, if you’re committed to sleeping on your stomach, the pillow for you will not be at your local Walmart or Target. Luckily, We’ve made a list of a variety of brands that are suited to a range of sizes, personal preferences, and budgets. Here are the best pillows we found for stomach sleepers in 2021.
Indulge with the Amerisleep Dual Comfort Pillow
We specifically recommend the low loft pillow to keep your stomach sleeping habit safe for your spine (because it kind of has an important job). Amerisleep pillows are an excellent cushiony memory foam model that is 100% made in the USA. They also hold their shape, so you don’t have to re-fluff them during the night (because how annoying is that?).
One of our favorite features is the cooling channels that prevent you from overheating. We think there is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night, all sweaty and hot, especially in July! With this feature, we’re able to stay comfortable throughout the night-no sweating through our shirts to see here.
And if you frequently suffer from neck pain, have no fear! The Bio-Pur materials also do an excellent job of keeping your neck aligned with your spine while you sleep, so you don’t wake up to earth-shattering back pain the next morning.
This pillow is one of the more expensive picks-$130 for a Queen and $150 for a King size pillow, but we think it’s well worth the steep price, especially when we’re talking about getting quality sleep.
Full disclosure, when you first take it out of the box, it does have a bit of a smell to it, but that should fade over time. You may want to let it air out before you use it (we know you really crave a good night’s sleep, but patience is a virtue).
A Pillow With Mid-Range Price: Layla Kapok Pillow
If you wake up in the morning unable to move your neck because it’s so stiff, we’ve found the perfect sleep solution for you. The Layla Kapok Pillow is a great choice for those who suffer from neck pain. The memory foam is so soft and contours precisely to your neck and pressure points, so it feels like you’re melting into a cloud as you fall asleep.
And if you suffer from allergies, this pillow is hypoallergenic, using copper-lined fibers to keep dead skin cells and gross gunk from accumulating after months of use.
In addition, it has no down feathers, so you can rest with the peace of mind that no precious birds were harmed in the making of your favorite sleep product. It is very tall (okay, it’s massive, actually), but you can remove some of the stuffing inside to adjust it to your sleeping needs.
And we know, buying something online without a trial period can be daunting because what if something falls apart two days after you order it? Or what if it just is a terrible pillow that’s hard as a rock? But you don’t have to worry this time. The Layla Kapok team lets you try their pillows for up to 120 nights, and if it’s not for you, you can get your money back (although we’re pretty confident you won’t want to).
The only drawback with this specific model is that it’s not machine washable. So if you get any stains on it, you’ll have to spot treat it. However, we think it’s a great deal for the price. At only $109 for a Queen size pillow, it’s a solid performing memory foam pillow that’s a lot less than the price of the Amerisleep model.
Best Budget Pick: Amazon Basics Down Alternative Pillow
A night of good quality sleep doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. This two-pack pillow set clocks in at only $31 and is hypoallergenic, so there are no feathers that could potentially trigger hives or other allergy-related symptoms. As a bonus, it’s OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of harsh chemicals that could impact your health or harm the environment, and we’re certainly on board with that.
This pillow is also machine washable, perfect for cleaning off the dirt and grime that builds up over time. The Amazon Basics pass the goldilocks standard: they’re not so tall that your neck hurts, but neither are they so flat you might as well just press your head against the wooden headboard.
We loved how it’s a middle-of-the-road pillow with medium firmness, and it’s not so fat that you can’t breathe when you turn your head to the side. And the best part is, yes, two pillows for $31 (a little over $15 each)! This means you can have one for both you and your significant other or simply keep them both to yourself.
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
If your goal is to live more sustainably, you’ll be relieved to know you don’t have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep. There’s a pillow that will help you sleep in comfort and with the peace of mind that you’re not harming the environment. We highly recommend Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex Low Loft Pillow (we emphasize low loft for the previously mentioned reasons).
Memory foam seems to reign supreme in the luxury pillow marketplace. We all agree it’s super comfortable, but let’s be honest: some memory foam pillows are hot. You don’t have to worry about that with Talalay Latex. The sustainably sourced tree rubber latex is breathable and prevents you from getting hot and sweaty during the night (without compromising on comfort).
Talalay Latex also performs a lot like memory foam (without the hotness). This pillow cradled our heads and necks perfectly and felt super comfortable. We didn’t have to wake up and re-fluff our pillows throughout the night. And if your pillow starts to get dirty (because life happens), you can stick it in the wash-no spot treating or hand washing required. At only $89 for a Queen Pillow, we think this is a reasonably priced option without sacrificing comfort.
You don’t necessarily have to give up laying on your stomach if that’s the best position for you to get a good night’s sleep. By choosing a low loft pillow made from memory foam or other recommended materials, you can lay on your stomach to your heart’s content without the risk of waking up to spinal or neck injuries. While the market is full of options, we’re confident that this list will help you pick out the coziest pillow for your personal tastes and budget. Sleep well!
