What are the best pillows for stomach sleepers in 2024? Do you know the criteria and properties to use and look out for when selecting the best pillows for a belly sleeper? How well do you know the effects of belly sleeping in terms of its advantages and disadvantages?
Stomach sleeping is not a very common sleeping position and as such, getting the perfect pillow for you will be a bit difficult as the market is flooded with pillows meant for the more common sleeping positions like the side sleepers and back sleepers. Front sleeping as explained by medical experts is known to subject the sleeper’s neck and shoulders to pain and pressure making it the unhealthiest sleeping position for you.
In a hurry? Top rated pillow for stomach sleepers is Belly Sleep pillow. Featuring a gel memory foam that measures only 2.5 inches, it is thin and flat and helps provide support for your head, neck, and spine as it takes the strain on your muscles away. Second best in 2024 is the Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow. It is perfect for your belly sleeping and for other types of sleeping positions due to its adjustable loft, making it the most versatile type of pillow. The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow is the best choice for stomach sleepers with neck pain. A special feature for stomach sleepers is the removable piece of memory foam, which allows you to adjust the height of the pillow to your perfect thickness.
Top 7 Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
WINNER |
Belly Sleep
|
Check Price |
RUNNER UP |
Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft
|
Check Price |
BEST FOR NECK PAIN |
EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
|
Check Price |
COOL PILLOW FOR BELLY SLEEPER |
Bluewave Bedding
|
Check Price |
TOP LATEX PILLOW |
Elite Rest
|
Check Price |
BEST DOWN PILLOW |
Downlite Extra Soft Down Pillow
|
Check Price |
BUDGET OPTION |
AmazonBasics Down Alternative
|
Check Price |
Prefer listening to reading? Check out our video version of this article.
Best Type of Pillow for Belly Sleepers
In choosing the perfect pillow for your use, there are a lot of considerations to be made. This is not the most comfortable sleeping position generally, and so you have to provide maximum support especially for your neck, shoulder, and spine.
You also need the right material to allow for easy breathing and as usual, make use of a material that will not trigger allergic reactions to you and cost you a peaceful night’s rest.
Below are important factors to put into consideration when choosing the right pillow for stomach sleeping.
Stomach sleepers need to sleep on a thinner pillow than side and back sleepers.
Size
Pillow size determines how well you sleep at night. How? The size of a pillow can discourage turns and rolls at night, and the right size provides adequate back and neck support.
So choosing the right size is important in you getting good comfort and sleep.
Standard
The standard size pillows measure 20W” x 26WL”. It is usually the cheapest type and is ideal for sleepers who do not toss and turn as their heads will constantly slip off, preventing sound sleep.
Super Standard
The super standard pillow is wider than the standard and measures 20W” x 28L”. Being a bit wider, it can be used by those who toss and turn in their sleep, even though some still find it not wide enough.
Queen
The queen provides more comfort and space as it measures 20W” x 30L”.
King
The king is a full 10 inches wider than the standard pillow and measures 20W” x 36L”. It gives you a whole lot of space to toss and turn as you sleep while retaining your head on the pillow.
Euro
This is not your regular kind of pillow. It is shaped as a square and the dimensions vary, often measuring 20W” x 20L” or 26W” x 26L”. They are used for other functions apart from sleep pillows, such as headrests or backrests.
Body
Body pillows are the longest size of pillows available and are most suited for sleepers who like to snuggle as they sleep. It measures 48-54W” x 20L”.
Loft
Loft refers to the pillow’s height on the bed and is a very important factor to consider when choosing a pillow. High loft will cause front sleepers pain in neck and shoulders.
Categories of pillow loft that are available are a low loft, medium loft, and high loft.
For the best comfort when it comes to loft, getting a pillow with adjustable loft is the best alternative, as it allows you to make use of the thickness that is best for you. Adjustable loft pillows feature removable fills to allow you to determine the pillow thickness.
Material
Pillows are made from a wide variety of fill materials. The fill materials determine the amount of support your head gets in order to prevent pain and give you comfort.
Other factors that you should consider when making your choice of the pillow based on filling material are temperature, cost and the possibility of causing allergic reactions.
The best materials for stomach sleepers are down and memory foam.
Buckwheat, Down Alternative, and latex, are materials that are not so bad and can be used in pillows for stomach sleepers.
Moldability
If your pillow can be easily reshaped, then it has good moldability. This is an important factor to be considered for stomach sleepers, as there have a hard time getting comfortable and need to constantly reshape and move the pillow around during sleep.
Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers in 2024: Reviews
#1 Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Top Rated
Top on my list of best pillows for stomach sleepers is the Belly Sleep Pillow.
Made with belly sleepers in mind, it utilizes memory foam as the filling material.
This pillow measures only 2.5inches thick, making it a low loft pillow and ensures comfort and support for your neck, shoulders, and spine when you use it.
It possesses antibacterial and hypoallergenic qualities.
Memory foam is known to trap heat and cause you to sweat. Due to this property and because this product is meant to ensure you are absolutely comfortable, the filling material is infused with cooling gel so that the temperature is regulated and you do not get excessively hot from use of the pillow.
You need a clean pillow for your sleep, and so Belly Sleep makes use of bamboo and polyester in the making of its pillow cover.
These materials have the property of wicking moisture from your skin as you sleep, are odor resistant and readily washable.
In all, you get the pillow of your dreams with great softness and firmness.
Pros
- Makes use of memory foam as filling
- Provides adequate spinal support
- Pillow cover naturally wicks moisture away from your skin as you perspire
- Odor resistant pillow cover
- Infused with cooling gel
Cons
- Low loft can take some time to get used to for some (but as a stomach sleeper you should NEVER use a high loft pillow)
#2 Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow
Second Best for Tummy Sleepers
This is a perfect fix to the non-adjustable property of some pillows, as this features an adjustable loft and great moldability and puts you in charge of your comfort.
It gives you just the right amount of firmness (medium) and is easily breathable to accommodate your sleeping face down.
It is a very versatile pillow, as it is suitable for not just stomach sleepers, but also back and side sleepers.
To ensure that your spine, shoulders, and neck get adequate support, this pillow makes use of a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber.
The pillowcase is also made with your comfort and luxury in mind as it ensures breathability and adequate softness.
Get a sound sleep from this hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant pillow and wake up feeling refreshed. Goodbye to crankiness in the morning due to poor sleep.
Pros
- Made with a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber
- Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant case
- Very soft but firm, and provides breathability
- Highly adjustable, putting you in control
Cons
- High maintenance due to the requirement of constant fluffing
#3 EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain
Due to differences in preferred height, EPABO allows you to make the decision yourself as to the thickness you prefer by allowing you to add or remove the memory foam.
It is the ideal pillow for you if you are suffering from neck pain. It’s also very versatile because it is suitable for use by side sleepers and back sleepers also.
The memory foam is breathable and allows for better circulation of air so as to prevent you from getting too hot as you sleep.
It has a contoured design that is meant to ensure perfect alignment of your neck, shoulder, and back so that when you sleep, you also stay healthy.
The pillowcase is smooth and soft, is hypoallergenic and provides you with dust mite protection so that you can get a sound sleep. It is washable and so you can maintain proper hygiene as you use it.
Pros
- Made with memory foam filling
- Provides relief from neck pain
- Gives support and good alignment for your neck, shoulders, and back
- Breathable and has improved circulation to keep you cool
- Hypoallergenic, and dust mite resistant
Cons
- Pillow is still high for some even after removing the memory foam strip
#4 Bluewave Bedding
Best Pillow for Belly Sleepers with Cool Gel
The Bluewave Bedding lavender scented pillow is an ultra-thin pillow that measures only 2.5 – 2.75 inches thick and makes use of memory foam filling.
This low loft thickness is found to be the most comfortable thickness for belly sleepers and so, you can hit this pillow for the night and expect great comfort and sound sleep.
It gives you a dense but great softness to soothe your head and neck as you sleep.
It comes with easy to understand instructions, and so to get the best out of this pillow, adhere to the instructions, lay back and enjoy your comfort.
Infused with cool gel to regulate the rising temperature, you do not get to feel the heat caused by the memory foam, but you stay cool all night.
This pillow gives you adequate breathability, free from odor and harmful additives, and it is hypoallergenic. The cotton pillow cover is removable and washable, so you get to maintain proper hygiene as you make use of this product.
Pros
- Made with memory foam
- Very thin but soft and firm
- Infused with cooling gel to regulate heat rise
- Removable and washable pillow cover
- Easy to follow instructions
Cons
- Seems to be too firm for some belly sleepers
#5 Elite Rest Slim Sleeper
Top Latex Pillow for Front Sleepers
The Elite Rest Slim Sleeper is made with a chemically free and highly durable latex material, to provide you with much comfort and thinness that you need as a belly sleeper.
The design of the latex material is with pin holes so that you can easily breathe as you use this pillow, and also remain cool as you sleep.
What you will get is medium firmness, so as to soothe your neck and back.
The pillow material is hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and mildew and dust mites resistant, allowing you a peaceful sleep without infections or irritations.
With a thickness of 2.75 inches, you get the low loft that is best suitable for your sleeping position, giving your spine great support and taking away the pain and pressure.
As is expected from such a great product, the pillow cover is made of removable and washable 100% cotton material, so you can easily maintain and keep it clean.
Pros
- Made with natural latex
- Very thin and measures only 2.75 inches
- Pinhole design to allow for air circulation and heat regulation
- Hypoallergenic and breathable
- Anti-fungal, anti-microbial and dust mite resistant
Cons
- A little too firm for some
#6 DOWNLITE Extra Soft Down Pillow
Best Down Pillow For Stomach Sleepers
This is an extra soft pillow for stomach sleepers who find other pillows too firm.
Made with white duck down filling, it is thin and promises you adequate comfort, softness but firmness, and sound sleep.
You do not have to deal with the neck pain from hard or firm pillows anymore, as this pillow in all its softness gives you support still.
The duck down is hypoallergenic, and you can very easily care for this as it is washable and dryable so good hygiene isn’t hard to practice with this product.
Pros
- Made with white duck down
- Very soft but firm for support
- Very thin
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to maintain and keep clean
Cons
- Fill is too little
#7 AmazonBasics Down Alternative Bed Pillows
Best Down Alternative & The Cheapest Choice
The density of this product makes it great for belly sleepers.
Filled with down alternative material, it allows those suffering from down allergies to enjoy the immense softness and support that down offers.
The down-alternative fill provides easy care and maintenance and allows you to sleep more comfortably and in a clean environment.
Its cover is made of microfibers, and for that perfect finish, the edges are piped so that it not only gives you comfort but also looks easy on the eyes and adds beauty to your bedroom.
Pros
- Down alternative fill
- Microfiber shell for a smooth finish
- Provides support for your back and neck
- Very soft
Cons
- Too soft and provides little support
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tummy Sleeping
Pros of Front Sleeping
Even though stomach sleeping is not encouraged, the advantages that come with it are as follows;
- Reduces snoring: sleeping on your belly has the same effect on snoring just like the side sleepers. It reduces the chances of you snoring.
- Fewer wrinkles: compared to side sleepers, stomach sleepers develop wrinkles slowly. An exception is if you constantly sleep with your face directly on the pillow.
Cons of Sleeping On Your Stomach
The negative effects of stomach sleeping on health are as follows;
- Pressure on the spine: sleeping on your stomach causes a pulling down effect on your body and makes the spine to tend to flatten out. This tendency leads to a build of pressure on the spine, especially when sleeping on a thick pillow.
- Potential for neck pain: it is not a comfortable sleeping posture to lie with your face on the pillow, and as such you tend to turn your neck to the side. This prolonged neck strain leads to pain in the neck.
- Not comfortable during pregnancy: During pregnancy, it becomes a problem to sleep on your belly as it begins to grow big. Due to the harmful effect on the health of the fetus, and discomfort it will cause you, it is not a recommended sleeping position for pregnant women.
FAQ
Is it bad for you to sleep on your stomach?
The short answer to this is that it sure can be. Sleeping on a pillow that is too high causes pain and discomfort in your back and neck and can lead to pain and poor sleep.
Why does my back hurt after sleeping on my stomach?
Sleeping on your stomach causes your lumbar spine to extend forward beyond its limit, straining the spinal ligaments. That’s why you have back pain.
How can I sleep on my stomach without hurting my back?
Use specially designed thin pillows for belly sleepers for spinal support.
Also, placing a pillow under your belly can take the pressure off your back, and can help prevent you from having back pain.
Where do you put a pillow when sleeping on your stomach?
Use a thin pillow under your head and you might also want to put a flat pillow beneath your pelvis when sleeping on your stomach.
What is the preferred head position?
The preferred head position for stomach sleeping is to face the mattress with the pillow on your forehead to allow for breathing. This position will help to keep your airways open.
Are memory foam pillows good for stomach sleepers?
Yes, they are because of their thin nature and provision of good support.
What about shredded memory foam?
Just like the solid memory foam, this also is good for stomach sleepers because it can be adjusted thin and it also provides adequate support.
Is memory foam bad for stomach sleepers?
On the contrary. Memory foam is the best for stomach sleepers because the responsiveness of the materials doesn’t allow excess sinking into the mattress, accommodating the unique pressure points.
Conclusion
So, what are the best pillows for stomach sleepers in 2024?
You can now say goodbye to the pain and discomfort that come with belly sleeping, as this review has exposed you to the very best pillows that will ensure absolute comfort and sound sleep.
There are a variety of filling materials and different price ranges to choose from, so depending on what works best for you, there is something here for everyone.
Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam, Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow and EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow are the best-rated pillows for stomach sleepers. These top three products are sure to give you an overall great belly sleeping experience.