Sleeping on your front is less common than sleeping on your back or side. If you routinely sleep on your stomach, you may find it difficult to find a comfortable mattress. 

Fortunately, stomach sleepers can still achieve a comfortable, refreshing night's sleep if they know what to look for when choosing a mattress. If you are a stomach sleeper in the market for a new mattress, look for a mattress model with the following sleep-enhancing features.

Firm Support

Sleeping on your front can be beneficial for your health if you suffer from acid reflux or sleep apnea. However, sleeping in this position can cause your spine to flatten out, and can place a significant amount of strain on your back and neck, causing aches and pains when you wake up.

Stomach sleepers should therefore look for a firm, supportive mattress, that will not allow their abdomen or hips to sink deeply into the mattress while they sleep. Keeping the midsection firmly supported keeps the spine in its proper alignment, preventing pinched nerves and pain in the back and neck.

Most mattress manufacturers rate the firmness of their mattresses on a 1 to 10 scale. If you are a frequent stomach sleeper, you should look for a mattress that rates fairly high on this scale, with a firmness rating of at least 5 out of 10. Heavier sleepers should choose mattresses with higher ratings for additional support.

However, your supportive mattress should not be too hard, as this can place an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your hips, shoulders, and face. A firm mattress with a thin, comfortable topper is generally ideal. Hybrid mattresses can provide the perfect balance between firm support and comfort. Alternatively, you can attach a thin memory or gel foam mattress topper to a conventional, coiled spring mattress.

Low Heat Retention

Sleeping on your front can also trap a layer of heat between the front of your body and the surface of your mattress, causing you to wake up hot, sweaty, and thoroughly uncomfortable. This effect can be exacerbated if you sleep face down, causing your hot breath to heat up the mattress even more. 

For this reason, you should avoid pure memory foam mattresses. These mattresses can trap a significant amount of heat, and may also allow your midsection to sink to an uncomfortably low level. Gel foam mattresses are a better alternative, as they contain cooling beads that moderates the heat insulating qualities of memory foam. However, these mattresses may still be too soft for stomach sleepers.

Once again, a hybrid mattress may be your best bet. These mattresses feature a thin top layer of memory or gel foam, but the main body of the mattress is made up of coiled or pocketed springs. Spring mattresses allow air to circulate freely while you sleep, keeping you cool throughout the night.

For more information about mattresses, contact a company like Kettle River Furniture & Bedding.