What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?

For side sleepers, the ideal mattress provides a balance of support and pressure relief, especially for areas like the shoulders, hips, and lower back. Here are some key features to look for in a mattress for side sleepers:

Medium to Medium-Soft Firmness
Side sleepers generally benefit from a mattress that isn’t too firm, as it can cause pressure points on the shoulders and hips. A medium to medium-soft firmness allows the mattress to contour to the body while offering enough support for proper spinal alignment.

Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses are often recommended for side sleepers because they conform to the body’s shape, providing targeted pressure relief for sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. The foam contours to your body’s curves, reducing the risk of pain and discomfort.

Latex Foam
Natural latex mattresses offer a similar contouring effect to memory foam but with a bit more bounce and durability. Latex can be a great choice for side sleepers who prefer a bit more responsiveness and less sinking feeling than memory foam.

Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress, which combines innerspring coils with memory foam or latex, can offer a great balance of support and comfort for side sleepers. The coils provide support for the body, while the foam or latex layers offer pressure relief.

Pressure Relief Features
Look for mattresses that emphasize pressure relief, especially in the shoulder and hip areas. Materials like memory foam, gel-infused foam, or specialized comfort layers help to distribute body weight evenly and relieve pressure points.

Contouring Ability
A mattress that contours to your body helps to maintain proper spinal alignment and prevents any misalignment that could lead to pain. Soft to medium-soft mattresses typically provide better contouring for side sleepers.

Edge Support
Good edge support is important, especially for side sleepers who tend to move around during the night. A mattress with strong edge support ensures that you won’t feel like you're rolling off the bed, even if you're lying near the edges.

The best mattress firmness for side sleepers

For side sleepers, the best mattress firmness typically falls in the medium to medium-soft range. This level of firmness provides the right balance between support and comfort, allowing the mattress to contour to the body's curves, especially around the shoulders and hips, while still providing enough support to maintain proper spinal alignment.

Here's a breakdown of the ideal firmness range for side sleepers:

Medium-Soft (3-4 on a 10-point scale)
Ideal for: Side sleepers who want significant pressure relief around their shoulders and hips.
Why it's best: A softer mattress allows for more contouring, which helps relieve pressure on areas where side sleepers typically experience discomfort. It helps the body sink into the mattress a bit more, reducing pressure points.

Medium (5-6 on a 10-point scale)
Ideal for: Side sleepers who need a bit more support but still want some softness for pressure relief.
Why it's best: A medium firmness offers a nice balance between comfort and support, keeping the spine aligned while still offering relief for areas like the shoulders and hips. It works well for people who don’t like sinking too much into the mattress but still need some softness.
Why these firmness levels are best: Pressure relief: Side sleepers need mattresses that relieve pressure on their joints, especially on the hips and shoulders, which can get compressed on firmer surfaces.
Spinal alignment: A medium-soft to medium mattress helps ensure the spine stays in a neutral position, preventing lower back pain that can result from poor alignment.

The Benefits of sleeping on your front

Sleeping on your side offers several benefits for both your physical health and overall comfort. Here are some key advantages:

Reduced Snoring: Front sleeping can help reduce snoring by preventing the tongue from falling back into the throat, which can block the airway. This position allows for better airflow and may decrease snoring, particularly for those with mild sleep apnea.

Relieves Pressure on the Airway: This position can help open the airways, potentially benefiting individuals who suffer from mild breathing issues or sinus congestion.

Spinal Alignment for Some: For individuals with certain back problems, front sleeping, when supported by a proper mattress and pillow, can promote spinal alignment by keeping the neck and spine neutral. This helps avoid the curving that can happen in other positions.

Comfort for Pregnancy: During the early stages of pregnancy, front sleeping may provide comfort to some women who experience relief from side or back sleeping positions. However, it's advised to switch positions in later stages for safety reasons.

While these benefits exist, front sleeping isn’t ideal for everyone, especially for those with neck or back pain, as it can put strain on the spine. It’s important to ensure that the body is properly supported for comfort and alignment.

The best pillows for side sleepers

For side sleepers, selecting the right pillow is essential to ensure proper spinal alignment and prevent neck or shoulder pain. Here are some of the best types of pillows for side sleepers:

Memory Foam Pillows
Why it's great: Memory foam pillows conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing excellent support and pressure relief. They help maintain proper spinal alignment by filling the gap between your head and shoulder, ensuring your neck is supported throughout the night.
Best for: Side sleepers who need contouring and pressure relief.

Latex Pillows
Why it's great: Latex pillows offer support similar to memory foam but with a bit more bounce. They are durable, breathable, and hypoallergenic, providing excellent support without the "sink-in" feeling of memory foam. Latex pillows maintain a more natural position for the neck and head.
Best for: Side sleepers who prefer a more responsive, bouncy pillow with great support.

Feather or Down Pillows
Why it's great: Feather or down pillows can be shaped and fluffed to offer customisable support. These pillows tend to be soft yet supportive, offering comfort while still allowing you to adjust the pillow to the desired height. However, they may need regular fluffing to maintain their shape.
Best for:
Side sleepers who like a soft pillow with adjustable loft.