Woman lying on bed on her front with text

Best Mattress for Front Sleepers: Sleep Well with Memory Foam

For front sleepers, finding a comfortable sleep surface that doesn’t put too much strain on the neck or lower back can be tricky. It may not be the best sleeping position for spinal alignment, but for lots of us, it’s the easiest way to fall asleep!

We can’t help how we sleep. But we can change what we sleep on. We explore the best mattresses for front sleepers to help you find the ideal match for you and your sleeping style.

No matter how you sleep, there’s a solution out there. You just need to find it.


Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: Types & Materials


When it comes to the right type of mattress for stomach sleepers, we’ve looked at what’s out there to find the best solution;


Pocket Spring Mattresses


A pocket sprung mattress contains individual springs, all encased in their own fabric pockets. Unlike traditional spring mattresses, this allows the mattress to support each zone of your body individually for targeted support.

We recommend choosing a pocket spring mattress if you share a bed with a partner of different body weight as it can support both of you individually.

Pocket spring mattresses usually have a medium to medium firm feel which is well suited to front sleepers.


Memory Foam Mattresses


Memory foam mattresses are perfect for stomach sleepers as they soften and mould to your body shape on contact. This helps to keep your spine in a neutral position, providing pressure relief to all of the major joints.


Latex Mattresses


A latex mattress acts in a similar way to memory foam and can be a good option for those looking for support and comfort. However, a quality latex mattress tends to be much more costly than its memory foam equivalent.


Hybrid Mattresses


Hybrid mattresses usually combine pocket springs with memory foam comfort layers. This is ideal for stomach sleepers who need firm support but don’t want to compromise on that luxuriously soft feeling.


Orthopaedic Foam Mattresses


Due to the effect stomach sleeping has on your spine, back pain tends to be a common complaint. An orthopaedic memory foam mattress is designed to eliminate aches and pains by providing optimum comfort and support around joints and pressure points. Specially placed grooves in the foam give extra lumbar support and the high-density foam cushions joints.


What Mattress Firmness Level is Best for Stomach Sleepers?


We recommend stomach sleepers choose a firm or medium-firm mattress.

If your mattress is too soft, you will sink into the mattress and the curve in your spine will be exaggerated. Most of us hold the majority of our weight around our middle, and this weight contributes to an overly pronounced curve.

A firmer mattress helps to maintain the natural curve of the spine. That being said, if your mattress is too firm it may feel uncomfortable and won’t allow your spine to rest naturally.

If you can, trying out the mattress yourself can solve this dilemma. Come and visit our Wakefield mattress showroom and test out our most popular mattress designs for yourself. Or, if that’s too far, we also offer a 100-night sleep trial on many mattresses in our collection.


Best Mattress for Front Sleepers UK


Let’s explore some of the best mattresses for front sleepers;


Best Memory Foam Mattress for Front Sleepers

Zen Superior mattress
The Zen Superior Luxury Memory Foam Mattress features a deep, 7cm layer of memory foam and a luxury quilted cover for extra comfort. What makes it great for stomach sleepers is its medium support and support core of reflex foam. These layers of high-density foam provide sleepers with the best spinal support, moulding to the needs of each individual sleeper.

Mattress features;

  • Medium support
  • Cooling Coolmax cover
  • Luxury quilted cover
  • 20cm mattress depth
  • Duo layer design
  • Hypoallergenic


Best Hybrid Mattress for Front Sleepers

Komfi 1500 pocket mattress
If a hybrid mattress sounds like the one for you, the Classic Pedic Pocket Memory Mattress won’t disappoint.

This luxury mattress combines individually cased pocket springs with a generous top layer of memory foam for the perfect balance between comfort and support. Resilient foam ensures durability, while the medium feel support is suitable for front sleepers.

Mattress features;

  • Medium support
  • Removable, washable cover
  • Quad layer design
  • 23cm mattress depth
  • Handcrafted in the UK
  • Delivered flat for immediate sleeping


Best Cooling Mattress for Front Sleepers


Do you often get too hot at night? If the answer is yes, your mattress could be to blame. While memory foam gets a bad rep for trapping in heat, new technologies have banished this problem.

The Coolmax Superior Luxury Memory Foam Mattress features a cooling cover to wick away excess heat and moisture. The deep layer of temperature-sensitive foam and reflex foam base is perfect for stomach sleepers looking for a cool night’s sleep.

Mattress features;

  • Medium support
  • Cooling Coolmax technology
  • Removable, washable cover
  • Luxury quilting
  • 20cm mattress depth
  • Hypoallergenic

4G Aircool Pedic Deluxe Mattress


Alternatively, the 4G AirCool Pedic Deluxe Mattress makes use of the latest open-cell memory foam technology to increase airflow by up to 95%.

Mattress features;

  • Medium support
  • 4G cooling sleep technology
  • Eucalyptus infused cover
  • 23cm mattress depth
  • Triple-layer design
  • Medical grade foam


Best Orthopaedic Mattress for Front Sleepers

Catherine Lansfield mattress

Back and joint pain can be a major barrier to a decent night’s sleep and is a common complaint of stomach sleepers. To ease back pain or avoid the issue in the future, an orthopaedic mattress could provide the relief and support you need.

 

The Classicpedic Memory Foam Mattress has been designed especially for back pain sufferers and those who need extra support at night. The medical-grade foam contains castellations to provide pressure relief where you need it most. The medium-firm support helps maintain a neutral spine position for front sleepers.

Mattress features;

  • Medium-firm support
  • 23cm mattress depth
  • Triple-layer design
  • Medical grade foam


Best Mattress for Heavier Stomach Sleepers

Coolmax XL mattress
Heavier sleepers will need more support from their mattress to ensure their spine rests in a natural position. The Coolmax XL Memory Foam Mattress features a combination of revo, reflex and memory foam and, as the deepest mattress in our range is well suited to heavier sleepers.

Mattress features;

  • Coolmax cover
  • Delivered rolled for convenience
  • Triple-layer design
  • Washable cover
  • 30cm mattress depth

What Mattress Depth is Best for Front Sleepers?


To find the right mattress depth for you, you need to consider;

  • Your weight
  • Your comfort preference
  • Your mattress type


For example, the heavier you are, the thicker your mattress will need to be to provide optimum comfort and support.


Best Pillows for Front Sleepers


When you sleep on your front, it can be difficult to find a comfortable position for your head to rest. Facing straight down can make it harder to breathe normally while turning it to one side can strain your neck.

If you can’t get comfortable without a pillow, choosing a quality memory foam pillow could help. A memory foam pillow moulds to the shape of your head, neck and shoulders to maintain a natural position.

You can also wedge a pillow beneath your hips to reduce the pressure on your lower back.


What is the Healthiest Way to Sleep?


Sleeping on your side or back is commonly considered to be healthier for your spine than sleeping on your front. This is because sleeping on your front can put extra strain on certain parts of your body. Let’s take a closer look;


Side Sleepers


Sleeping on your side helps to encourage the natural alignment of the spine, can reduce snoring and improve digestion. However, it can become uncomfortable around major pressure points such as the shoulders and hips if your mattress doesn’t provide enough cushioning.


Back Sleepers


Sleeping on your back allows your body to rest in a neutral position and is generally thought to be a healthy way to sleep. However, we can’t all nod off easily in this position.


Stomach Sleepers


Let’s start with the positives. Sleeping on your front can ease heartburn and digestion issues. It can also reduce snoring and sleep apnea. However, lying on your front can accentuate the curve of your spine, leading to strain in the lower back.

If you turn your head to one side for extended periods as you sleep, this can also result in neck and shoulder pain.

What’s more, if you're heavily pregnant, sleeping on your stomach is best avoided as it will be uncomfortable and there is a higher risk of back pain.


Why do I Prefer Sleeping on my Stomach?


If stomach sleeping can cause so many problems, why do you do it? Some theories suggest stomach sleepers are more assertive and free-spirited… but we’re not convinced. Many of us prefer to sleep on our stomachs, and simply find it the easiest and most comfortable way to drift off.

If you struggle to fall asleep any other way, there are some ways to make your sleeping position kinder on your back and joints;


Tips for Stomach Sleepers


To improve your night-time health for the long term, here are some easy tips to help you reduce strain when sleeping on your front;

  • Get rid of your pillow, or swap your current pillow for a much thinner one to avoid neck strain
  • Place a pillow under your pelvis to level out your spine
  • Try some gentle stretches first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Yoga stretches are ideal for straightening out your spine
  • Find the right mattress for your sleeping preference


Your Mattress Buying Guide


Need some extra help finding the perfect mattress for your sleeping needs? Our online mattress buying guide is full of information, from mattress density to the differences between each mattress collection.

Or, if you're ready to get shopping, buy a mattress online today.

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