Did you know that 74% of people sleep on their sides and 10% sleep on their back? This, of course, leaves only a small percentage of stomach sleepers left. However, just because not many sleep on their stomach does not mean that they should be ignored when it comes to choosing the right pillows.

However, what should you consider when choosing the best pillow for stomach sleepers? Luckily, you've clicked on the right article to answer that question. 

You may sleep on your stomach because of your preference or because it might help to alleviate your snoring or sleep apnea. Whatever the case, it is always important that you have the right pillow to support your neck in this position. Otherwise, you could be dealing with headaches and neck aches.

In this article, we'll explore the factors you need to consider when choosing the best pillow for stomach sleepers. But first, let's take a closer look at why you should care about selecting the right pillow for you.

Choosing the Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

There's a lot you need to consider when choosing the right pillow for you. For example, do you want the best body pillow for stomach sleepers or do you want the best thin pillow for stomach sleepers? The important thing you need to know is that sleeping with the wrong pillow is one of the worst things you can do. 

Why might this be? Because sleeping with the wrong pillow increases your risk of neck pain and poor sleep quality. The primary reason for this is that when you sleep with a pillow that doesn't support your head properly, your neck is not in alignment with your spine as it should be. 

Remember that you're not a child anymore and falling asleep is not as easy as it used to be. More likely than not, you can't simply grab any pillow and go right to sleep. In fact, most people wouldn't be surprised if they woke up with a stiff neck after using a bad pillow to sleep on. 

You should also consider that always using an uncomfortable pillow can seriously compromise your quality of sleep and leave you in a lot of unnecessary pain. You may try sleeping without a pillow, but you'll likely find that your sleep quality won't improve much with that option either. This is because of the way your neck curves downwards without the support of a pillow which can lead to more discomfort. 

When it comes to sleeping on your stomach, the bones of your spine can easily become misaligned, so it is especially important to find a good pillow. So, where should you start when it comes to finding the best pillow for you? To begin, it is important to consider pillow size, firmness, shape, and material. 

Choosing the Right Height and Shape Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

We have already seen that sleeping without a pillow can be harmful for your neck because of the way your neck can curve improperly. The same thing can happen if you choose a pillow that is too low or flat. This is something you should consider if you're looking for the best flat pillow for stomach sleepers. 

However, a benefit that stomach sleepers have is that they can sleep at a lower angle than those who sleep in other positions such as on their backs. This is because of how the neck and spine align when resting on your stomach.

On the other hand, pillows that are too high can easily end up overextending your neck when sleeping on your stomach. Make sure you keep this in mind when buying pillows since most pillows are designed for back and side sleepers. 

The shape is also important when it comes to pillows. Pillows are usually rectangular, but they can also be wedge-shaped, wavy, long, circular, and so on. Wedge pillows may not be the best option for stomach sleepers because of the way they cause the head to incline. 

On the other hand, thin, rectangular pillows tend to be a great choice for stomach sleepers. However, it is important to remember that choosing the right material and firmness are also very significant factors to consider when buying the right pillow. We will take a closer look at these factors next. 

Understanding Pillow Materials and Firmness

When considering pillow material and firmness, it is necessary to think about your spine alignment when sleeping on your stomach. Since your spine will already be in a compromising position, it's best to have a pillow that has great support but is not too intrusive. This means no huge, fluffy pillows, but also no pillows that are too firm.

Your best bet will most likely be with memory foam pillows. But why might this be? Other types of pillows such as those stuffed with feathers or other stuffing offer very little support and can do you more harm than good. On the other hand, memory foam is able to cradle your head and neck and be sure that your neck is not overextended. 

By keeping your head and neck in place, you won't have to worry about waking up with neck stiffness and pain. However, be sure your pillow isn't too firm. There is a thing as too much support. 

Firm pillows can be uncomfortable to some, especially when sleeping stomach-side down. Your best option is to choose a pillow of moderate firmness, but you may find that softer pillows can work well for you too. 

Finding the Right Pillow for You

You now know all about what you need to consider when looking for the best pillow for stomach sleepers. Pillow firmness, shape, material, and height are all significant when pillow shopping.

To learn more about finding the right pillow for you, contact us here.