Less than 10% of us sleep on our stomachs. But those of us who do have fewer problems with sleep apnea and snoring. While that’s good news, there is bad news, too. Stomach sleeping can be bad for your back if you have the wrong pillow.
The best pillows for stomach sleepers are those with 3 inches of loft or less. Thin pillows avoid strain on your neck and spine. There are also inclined pillows that allow you to sleep face down. Now let’s take a look at an assortment of the best slim and comfortable pillows for sleeping on your stomach.
Top Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Xtreme Comforts Slim Hypoallergenic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Cover
The Xtreme Comforts Slim Pillow has top ratings from independent review sites and lots of customers. It contains shredded memory foam inside a breathable bamboo pillow cover. And you can fluff it and mold it just like a down pillow.
Solid-core memory foam has a reputation for being very firm. But the shredded foam inside this pillow is soft and squishy. You can shape it to give you the exact amount of support you desire. And it will stand up to use for years without going flat.
Pillow aficionados know that there can be a difference in quality between memory foam made in the USA and the stuff manufactured overseas. Xtreme Comforts sources foam from the USA that has a CertiPUR-US certification for purity and low emissions. It’s free from heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and ozone-depleting chemicals.
The pillow is also hypoallergenic and machine-washable and dryable. It’s resistant to dust mites, which are the number one cause of stuffy noses during the night. Customers say that it has a faint odor right out of the box, but that dissipates quickly.
The bamboo pillow cover is another highlight. It’s so soft to the touch that it’s a shame to cover it with a pillowcase. The fabric is breathable to help keep your face and neck cool while you sleep.
If you want the Xtreme Comforts Slim Pillow, it’s available in standard, queen, and king sizes. The manufacturer offers 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Try it for thirty days to see what you think. They also give a six-year warranty.
Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper Memory Foam Pillow, 2.5 Inches Loft
If you hate fluffing your pillow in the middle of the night, try the Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper Memory Foam Pillow. It’s made of solid foam with a 2 ½ inch loft. It’s one of the thinnest pillows available. And it’s soft enough to cradle your head but firm enough not to go flat.
Like most other memory foam pillows, it’s hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. But there’s no discussion about whether the foam has a CertiPUR certification.
You can try the Elite Rest pillow for thirty days. If you don’t love it, you can return it for a full refund.
Pancake Pillow the Adjustable Layer Pillow
Right now, the market is flooded with adjustable loft pillows. Most of them require the owner to unzip the case and pull out or add stuffing. And many of them contain shredded foam. But not the Pancake Pillow. It’s unique.
The Pancake Pillow has six super soft inner layers of down alternative microfiber fill. When you open the pillow, you can simply pull out a layer or two to adjust the height. It’s a streamlined process, and there’s no fiddling around with messy fluff. Then keep the extra layers that you’re not using because sometime down the road you may want to use them to replace the ones inside your pillow.
The soft and smooth exterior shell of the pillow is made of 100% cotton in a 300 thread count. It unzips on three sides to make it easy to adjust the loft. And if you decide you don’t love your purchase, you can return it for a refund.
Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Bluewave Bedding’s Ultra Slim Pillow is made of memory foam with temperature-regulating gel. Plus, the foam is ventilated for superior air circulation. This is the perfect pillow for someone who tends to get too hot at night.
The low-profile pillow has a 2 ½ to 2-3/4-inch loft. And it has a dual sleeping surface, which means it’s flat on one side, and rounded on the other. More importantly, the memory foam has a 50D density, which is the same as a 3.25-pound rating. If you compare it to an earlier generation memory foam pillow, you’ll find that the Bluewave is softer and more pliable.
It’s also good to know that the foam has a CertiPUR-US certification which means it’s free from pollutants and toxins. Of course, it’s resistant to dust mites, mold, mildew, and it’s hypoallergenic.
Finally, the pillow cover is made of 60% polyester and 40% rayon that’s derived from bamboo fiber. The material is breathable and cool. It wicks away moisture, too. While the pillow itself is not washable, the cover is.
Once again, this is a pillow with a satisfaction guarantee. Try it for thirty days. If it doesn’t suit you, you can get a full refund.
Downlite Extra Soft Down Pillow
Downlite’s Extra Soft Down Pillow is perfect if you love soft and squishy. It contains duck down at a 525-550 fill power. You can wad it up into a ball or smash it flat, then fluff it up again. The manufacturer explains that it was specifically designed for stomach sleepers.
The hypoallergenic filling is RestAssured down, which means it was cleansed to a high standard with environmentally friendly soaps. And the pillow itself is machine-washable and dryable.
The pillow is available in standard, queen, king, and jumbo sizes. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Hypoallergenic Microfiber LARGE Pillow from SLEEPHI Collection
SLEEPHI Collection’s microfiber pillow is intended for combination sleepers, but it also suits those who sleep on their stomachs. It’s fluffier on the sides and flatter in the middle. If you tend to roll around during the night, or are trying to transition from stomach sleeping to something else, try this pillow.
The hypoallergenic microfiber filling is resistant to mites and allergens. And the pillow is washable, but the manufacturer recommends dry cleaning.
BioPEDIC Low Profile Hypoallergenic Flat Pillow
BioPEDIC’s Low Profile Pillow comes in a two-pack. You’ll get two pillows for the price of what you might spend on one from another brand. Both are machine-washable and dryable. And both contain 26 ounces of hypoallergenic fiber filling.
The manufacturer states that the maximum loft is 2 ½ to 3 inches. And there is a 1-inch gusset around the edge. The gusset merely helps the pillow to retain its shape.
eLuxurySupply Extra Soft Down Filled Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
eLuxurySupply’s Extra Soft Down-Filled Pillow is very squishable. One customer explained that if you squash it with two hands, your palms will almost meet in the middle.
The hypoallergenic filling is 525 fill power white duck down and feathers. This means it is machine-washable and dryable. In fact, the manufacturer recommends tossing the pillow in the dryer for ten minutes once a month to fluff it. And they also point out that the down was collected with humane practices, never plucked from live ducks.
The shell of the pillow is 100% cotton. It’s woven in a way that prevents the feathers from poking through but allows air to circulate.
eLuxurySupply offers a thirty-day satisfaction guarantee. They will even pay return shipping.
All Natural Latex Pillow from OrganicTextiles
Folks who find memory foam too hard may appreciate this natural latex pillow. The 5-inch loft looks too thick at first, but it compresses more than foam. Just be sure to order the soft version.
Natural latex is resistant to bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens. And the manufacturer explains that it’s eco-friendly and should maintain its shape for more than five years.
This pillow has a pin-core design for good airflow. The tiny perforations keep the pillow cool. Although it’s not washable, the removable organic cotton cover is.
Coop Home Goods Bamboo Charcoal-Infused Office Nap or Stomach Sleeper Pillow
Our final pick is the stomach sleeper pillow from Coop Home Goods. Its unusual shape allows you to nap at your desk or sleep face down in your bed. It provides a cutout for your arm underneath it.
The memory foam is infused with charcoal from bamboo to eliminate odors and control heat and humidity. The cool-touch pillow cover is made of 40% rayon derived from bamboo and 60% polyester. It’s removable and washable whereas the pillow itself can’t be washed.
You have thirty days to try the pillow. After that, you can return it for a full refund with no questions asked or relax with the 5-year warranty.
Tips for stomach sleepers
As a stomach sleeper, we’re certain that you discovered that a thin pillow is much more comfortable. You may have tried sleeping without a pillow, but this tends to lead to neck pain unless you’re resting on a mattress made for stomach sleeping.
If you’re going to upgrade your mattress, choose one with medium firmness. If it’s too hard, your spine will not rest in a neutral position. And if it’s too soft, the same thing is true. It’s not a bad idea to buy a bed from a manufacturer that allows you to try it and return it if you don’t like it.
Next, many articles about stomach sleepers suggest putting a pillow under your pelvis to keep your back in a natural position. What does this really mean? It doesn’t matter whether you sleep face down or with your head turned to the side. Just place a thin pillow directly under your hips. Then pair it with a low-loft pillow under your head. This keeps your spine in a neutral position. Try it for a night and see what you think.
If you tend to wake up with back pain, try to sleep without bringing one leg up to your side. Twisting like this may seem comfortable at first, but it adds more strain to your body.
Also, you may already be in the habit of stretching the morning. But many stomach sleepers who have taken up yoga find that they feel better rested and less stiff.
Finally, if you wish to transition from stomach sleeping to resting on your side or back, it’s completely possible to train yourself. It just takes time and a few extra pillows. Use those extra pillows underneath your arm and leg as you lay on your side to feel more comfortable.
Conclusion
The best pillows for stomach sleepers are thinner and softer than those made for other sleeping styles. The filling doesn’t matter as much as the thickness. There are several good memory foam, down, and down alternative pillows available. And if you choose one with a satisfaction guarantee, you’ll have time to try it with no risk.
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