When it comes to finding the best mattress for front sleepers it is important to understand a few things. Everyone sleeps a little differently, and we all have our unique idea of what a good night’s sleep should be like. While some prefer to sleep on their sides or their backs, there is a portion of the population (about 7%) that sleep on their stomach or front.
This can create a unique problem as it puts pressure on the neck and spine in a way that other types of sleepers are not going to experience. It is crucial to find a suitable mattress if you are a front sleeper as you will be needing extra support in some places and pressure relief in others.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best mattresses for front sleepers that the UK has to offer and then go a bit more in-depth into the pros and cons of sleeping on your stomach and what you should keep in mind if you do.
(Important Facts, Studies, Advice, Considerations & FAQs In Conclusion)
| MATTRESS | TYPE | FIRMNESS | TRIAL & WARRANTY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silentnight Eco Comfort Miracoil Luxury Mattress | Pocket Sprung | Firm | 60 Nights exchange 5 Years | £259 |
| Ergoflex 5G Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 30 Nights 10 Years | £499 |
| Sealy Posturepedic Backcare Extra Firm Mattress | Pocket Sprung | Extra Firm | NA Nights 5 Years | £304.50 |
| Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress | Hybrid | Soft, Medium, Firm | 100 Nights 10 Years | £699 |
| Nectar Memory Foam Mattress | Memory Foam | Medium-firm | 365 Nights Forever Years | £549 |
| REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress | Hybrid | Firm | 100 Nights 15 Years | £799 |
1. Silentnight Eco Comfort Miracoil Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Made with 100% recyclable fibres • Miracoil spring system • Zoned support for better spinal alignment | • Sleepers who prefer a hybrid bed • Sleepers needing extra support • People who enjoy a firm feel |
Silentnight is one of the UK’s leading brands for bedroom furniture and they have mattresses to suit sleepers of all styles, including those who prefer to lie on their fronts. For stomach sleepers, the eco comfort Miracoil luxury mattress could be a great option. This mattress has proved to be popular among Silentnight customers and has gathered hundreds of reviews on their site.
This mattress makes use of the brand's Miracoil system, which is one of the reasons why it could be a good choice for stomach sleepers. The Miracoil system is designed to support a body at rest in any position and will help to relieve some of the pressure the spine will have if someone rests on their front. This is also a firmer mattress, another factor that helps to better align a front sleeper’s spine as it will stop them sinking too deeply into the mattress.
The top of the mattress has a cushioned layer to help keep it comfortable and pleasant to sleep, despite its firmness. This Silentnight mattress is also a good choice for those who want to make eco-friendly choices. This eco mattress has been made with sustainable fibres that are also 100% recyclable.
2. Ergoflex 5G Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Tencel mattress cover • Reduced motion transfer • Good weight distribution across the mattress | • Couples • Most sleeping positions • People who enjoy memory foam |
The Ergoflex 5G mattress is made from 3 layers all working together to provide good support for you to sleep on, regardless of your chosen position. The outer layer of the mattress is made from Tencel. This is a breathable and soft fabric that gives you a comfortable place to rest on, and just below it is a micro-fine inner cover that will help to protect the core of the mattress itself.
Underneath this is the visco-elastic memory foam layer. This shapes to a sleeper’s body to help support them properly, and it is one of the key components that will help a front sleeper get the rest that they need. On top of this, it has a zero partner disturbance system. If you share a bed with someone who is prone to tossing and turning, this will help to minimise the disruptions so you can both get the good night’s sleep that you need.
The supportive mattress core also has the Ergo-Flex Cool-Sleep airflow system. Many can find themselves overheating as they rest. The Cool-Sleep system is designed to encourage airflow around the mattress to help keep temperatures regulated. At the base is a high resilience foundation layer, providing sturdy support for the rest of the mattress and ensuring that the weight of a sleeper is evenly spread out.
3. Sealy Posturepedic Backcare Extra Firm Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Reinforced edges • Handcrafted in the UK • Single-sided non-flip mattress | • People prone to allergies • Sleepers who prefer spring mattresses • Sleepers enjoying a bit of bounce |
Since sleeping on your stomach has a tendency to push your midsection down, misaligning your spin, an extra firm mattress could be a great option, especially for those who weigh more. This Posturepedic mattress from Sealy is engineered for those who sleep on their back, but it should also work well for stomach sleeps. This mattress has been handcrafted in the UK and carries a 5-year guarantee. It has also been approved by the National Bed Federation and Allergy UK, so you can be certain that you are getting a quality product.
The support in this mattress from Sealy comes from its PostureTech Core Support springs. These are designed to receive a body and properly distribute its weight in a way that everything is correctly supported. It also has a reinforced edge which allows a sleeper to move right up to the edge of the mattress without the risk of rolling off.
This is a single-sided mattress so you do not need to worry about having to flip it to maintain its comfort. However, it is recommended that you rotate it every now and then so that the springs across the mattress are put to even use. Add the damask cover and the smart fibres used to construct this mattress and you should be able to see why this could be considered a comfortable choice even if you do not usually opt for very firm ones.
4. Brook + Wilde Lux Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Supportive • Promotes spinal alignment • Available in most firmness ratings | • People looking for a hybrid mattress • Sleepers in need of pressure-relief • Hot sleepers |
The Lux Mattress from Brooke + Wilde is a good option for those who want a little luxury added to their sleep. These mattresses are made to order, so you should be able to pick the size and firmness that you like. Those who sleep on their stomach should normally opt for a mattress that is firmer as this will avoid some of the issues that can arise from letting your torso or pelvis sink too much and not aligning correctly, however, this is individual.
The Lux mattress has 5 layers all working to support a body at rest. At the very top is the Brook + Wilde cover. This is a durable and breathable cover that has been designed to help protect the rest of the mattress. Next is a layer of cooling memory foam. This provides the initial support to your body to ensure that you are well supported. It will also help to eliminate some of the disturbance you might feel if you have a restless bed partner.
The next level of support comes from 2000 mini pocket springs. These have been designed to move with you in your sleep and will provide support to the points that experience the most pressure from your sleeping body. Next is a layer of Brook + Wilde’s wave technology foam. This dense layer of foam is specifically designed to help with spinal alignment whether you prefer to sleep on your back or your stomach. Up next is 1000 more pocket springs for extra comfort, and last but not least comes the supportive base.
5. Nectar Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Great pressure relief • Supportive • Reduced motion transfer | • Lighter front sleepers • Couples • People who enjoy the hugging feel of memory foam |
This mattress is very supportive as it has 9 cm of memory foam inside it. This provides a comfortable base that is designed to support the spine and neck of a front sleeper while distributing their weight evenly for a comfortable night’s sleep. It is also a mattress that sits around the medium to firm mark, so it feels supportive to the touch without being uncomfortable. It's worth noticing that heavier front sleepers could find it lacking some support around the hips.
The base of the mattress is firm and solid to prevent the rest of it from shifting around on the bedframe. Next up is the 7 zone supportive base. This splits the mattress up into different areas so the various parts of your body are properly supported as you rest. Next is the layer of pressure-relieving memory foam, which works with the layer below it to properly support you, and then the smart memory foam.
Together with the top cooling layer, they will work to help your body temperature get regulated so your sleep does not suffer from excess heat or moisture. However, if you are a hot sleeper you should consider looking at mattresses with cooling properties.
Mattresses from Nectar are delivered rolled up and in their own box. All you have to do is take it to the right room and unpack it – but make sure that you also leave it to acclimatise before sleeping on it. The mattress has also won multiple awards from various magazines and panels, including Good Housekeeping and Ideal Home.
6. REM-Fit 500 Ortho Mattress
| HIGHLIGHTS | SUITABILITY |
|---|---|
| • Orthopaedic • Reinforced sides to prevent sagging • Removable cover | • Heavier sleepers • Sleepers with back problems • People who uses the entire area of the mattress |
This is a hybrid mattress that should serve stomach sleepers well. At the top comes a layer of open-cell memory foam. This is very cool and breathable and should help a sleeper to control their body temperature better as they rest.
It also has 2000 pocket springs. These are designed to help support a body and distribute its weight more equally for more comfort. This is then aided by a layer of memory foam, which also helps to cushion the body and target areas of high pressure. The memory foam has been zoned so different parts have a slightly different density. This can give you the support and comfort that you need where you need it. It is also important to state that REM-Fit regards this mattress as an orthopaedic mattress because of its firmness.
Finally, this mattress has special support walls along its sides. These will help to fight some of the sagging that you can occasionally encounter with mattresses that are used for a long time. The cover of the mattress can also be removed and machine washed to help keep everything as fresh and as clean as possible.
The REM-Fit 500 Ortho comes with a 15-year guarantee as well as a 100-night free trial so you can test it out properly to ensure that it is right for you.
Is Sleeping On My Stomach Bad For Me?
You might be wondering if sleeping on your front is bad. It is said to be the least recommendable sleeping position out of the classic sleeping positions - side, supine (back-sleepers) and prone (front-sleepers). However, let us clarify why that is and why you should not worry if you are used to sleeping on your stomach.
The Importance Of Spinal Alignment
You have probably heard the term 'spinal alignment' before, especially if you are, or have been, hunting for a new mattress. Spinal alignment is the correct alignment of your spine in different positions. We have all been told to sit or walk with our back straight for as long as we can remember, otherwise we could get back- or neck problems.
This rule also applies when we are sleeping even though we sometimes forget that. Sleeping with your spine out of alignment for a longer period of time can cause problems down the line. Many people don't pay much attention to their posture while sleeping, but have you ever woken up feeling sore or with pain somewhere in your back or your cervical area? It could be an indicator that you are not getting the spinal support you need for your position.
Spinal Alignment For Different Sleeping Positions
No matter what position you sleep in, it is important to find a mattress that gives you the needed support for your spine. There are parts of our bodies that receive more pressure than others and thus need to sink a bit deeper into the mattress, such as the hip and shoulder areas.
A side-sleeper tends to place more weight on the shoulders than front and back-sleepers for example. This means that a side-sleeper could benefit from a mattress that gives a bit more in the shoulder and hip area in order to allow them to stay aligned with the middle part of your spine. This is why the best mattresses for side-sleepers tend to be medium-firm mattresses.
When you sleep on your back or your stomach, there is a chance that your midsection could sink too low into the mattress. You, therefore, need to find a mattress that is going to be supportive enough to align your spine even though you sleep on your stomach.
The Difference Between Back And Front/Stomach Sleepers
Front/Stomach-sleepers face many of the same problems as those who sleep on their back, so when trying to choose the right mattress you can often find that the same mattress could be suitable for both types of sleepers. So why is it that sleeping on your front is worse than sleeping on your back?
The answer lies in your neck. When sleeping on your stomach you need to turn your head to one side in order to be able to breathe. This puts an added pressure on your cervical area which you won't have if you sleep on your back. The Cleveland Health Clinic states that sleeping on your front also extends your neck backwards resulting in the compression of the spine, and apart from that blood flow can be restricted and affect nerves.
Don't Worry, Just Be Aware
If you are a front-sleeper and starting to get worried - don't be. Pain is individual and just because sleeping on your stomach theoretically puts more strain on your spine and cervical area it doesn't mean that you will necessarily have problems with this. It is however good to keep this in mind and if possible try to sleep more on your side or on your back.
Interesting Fact!
Patients diagnosed with Covid-19 could benefit from laying on their front while receiving oxygen. This position prevents our heart and stomach to press down on the lungs and thus more oxygen can enter the body.
A study✓ shows that the older we get the less we tend to move around during the night, which means it can be beneficial to try and change our preferred sleeping position as early as possible in life. On the plus side, it also shows that the side-sleeping position is the most preferred one the older we get.
Take a moment to evaluate if you actually tend to sleep all night on your front or if you maybe fall asleep in that position but wake up in another one. Chances are that you change position early in the night and only sleep for a limited time on your stomach. If this is not the case you can also try to change your sleeping position.
Research✓ suggests that forming a healthy habit takes around 10 weeks so you need to be willing to give it some time. Our favourite sleeping position is something that is often very deeply rooted and shifting into it is something we do subconsciously, so trying to change this could of course be a challenge.
Start Creating A Healthier Sleep Habit
Anyone who has ever tried falling asleep in a position that is not our usual one knows that this can feel very strange. Sleeping in our preferred position gives us a sense of familiarity and safety and helps us fall asleep quicker. Have a look at every aspect of your nightly routine and try implementing some new elements to help you relax even better.
You could try a relaxing pillow spray or maybe drinking some naturally calming beverages such as Horlicks or others before going to bed. A sleeping eye mask could help you eliminate any distracting light or why not a weighted blanket? Whatever works to help you feel safe and relaxed in your new position.
Be Persistent When Changing Your Sleeping Position
There is only so much you can do yourself in order to change your sleeping position and if you have managed to fall asleep in your new, desired position - well done. You are one step closer to a healthier sleeping habit. But how can you ensure to stay in it for the rest of the night? Here are a few tricks you can try:
- Mould yourself into the right position with pillows. There are all sorts of oddly shaped pillows, such as wedge pillows for example, that you can use to make sure you don't shift into your old position once you have fallen asleep.
- The tennis ball technique. Sewing a tennis ball into the front of your sleepwear can be an efficient way of preventing you from rolling over on your stomach at night. There are also a more sophisticated version of this technique where you strap a devise to your body that will vibrate when you are in the wrong position.
Both these techniques can help you stay in your desired position throughout the night but remember that it takes time. You might sleep a few nights in the right position but then go back to the old one again. If this happens, go back to the technique that worked for you and stay on it for a while longer this time until it feels natural to sleep in your new position.
But I Want To Keep Sleeping On My Stomach
You might have tried to change your sleeping position without any luck or just decided that you enjoy sleeping on your stomach and this is, of course, fine. If you are set on continuing to sleep on your front, you should however do what you can to prevent future problems by investing in a suitable mattress.
Now that you understand the difference between back-sleepers and front-sleepers and why it is important to always aim to keep your spine correctly aligned, let's take a look at what you should for in order to find the best mattress for front/stomach sleepers.
Best Mattress Firmness For Front/Stomach-Sleepers
The supportive nature of a mattress is very often linked to its firmness rating. Firmer mattresses are regarded better for front sleepers as they reduce the risk of your midsection sinking into the mattress and putting strain on your back. Stomach sleepers who weigh somewhere between 60 kg (130 lb) and 105 kg (230 lb) tend to find a medium-firm or firm mattress more suitable.
This is of course subjective and depending on your preference. Additionally, those under 60 kg (130 lb) can opt for a softer mattress and those over 105 kg (230 lb) should look at firmer mattress options.
Some Additional Tips For Front/Stomach-Sleepers:
- Find a great pillow. Thinner pillows will reduce the elevation of your head which may prevent added strain on your neck.
- Choose a slightly firmer mattress than you are accustomed to. You can always add a softer mattress topper for extra comfort.
- Try adding a pillow under your pelvis to reduce your midsection from sinking into the mattress
Front-sleepers need to ensure that they find a comfortable place to sleep that will give them the support they need. You may also want to check out our How to Choose a Mattress for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best mattress for front-sleepers?
It's very individual which mattress suits us but generally, front-sleepers need extra support in order for their midsections not to sink too deep into the mattresses. Going for a firmer mattress is usually a good choice as they tend to be more supportive than soft or medium mattresses.
Is sleeping on my stomach bad for me?
Sleeping on our stomach puts unnecessary pressure on our spine and cervical area since we turn our heads to one side in order to be able to breathe. This could potentially cause pain in these areas which is why it's not recommended to sleep on our front if we can avoid it.
What should I keep in mind if I sleep on my stomach?
If possible, try to get used to sleeping in a different position. If this isn't working, get a suitable mattress and try finding a thinner pillow in order to not lift your neck up more than necessary. Some front-sleepers even sleep without a pillow.