Key takeaways
- A lower pillow is a common starting point for stomach sleepers, but fit differs per person.
- Your height, weight and mattress firmness all change how much loft you need, so one fixed pillow rarely fits.
- Yourzzz comes with extra filling you can remove at home, and you can try it for 100 nights.
Why does pillow height matter when you sleep on your stomach?
When you lie face down, you cannot keep your face pointed at the mattress for hours, so you turn your head to one side. Your pillow then sits under your head and part of your neck while your chest stays close to the mattress. If the pillow is tall, your head ends up well above your shoulders while it is turned. If the pillow is low, your head sits closer to the level of your shoulders.
That is why a lower pillow is a common starting point for stomach sleepers. It is only a starting point. Fit differs per person, and we do not have a research-backed number in inches that suits every stomach sleeper, so we will not give you one. What we can say is that the gap between your head, neck and mattress is different for every body, and the pillow has to fill that gap without pushing your head up or letting it drop.
What else changes the pillow you need?
Three things matter besides your sleeping position:
- Your height and weight. Broader shoulders and a deeper chest change the distance between your head and the mattress.
- Your mattress. On a soft mattress your chest and shoulders sink in more. On a firm mattress they stay higher. The pillow has to make up a different gap in each case.
- How you actually fall asleep. Many people start on their stomach and shift during the night. The position you fall asleep in is a good place to begin.
You would not buy shoes in one size and hope they fit everyone. Pillows work the same way. A store that sells one size rarely has yours.
What should a stomach sleeper look for in a pillow?
| What to look for | Why it matters | How Yourzzz handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable loft | Your ideal height depends on your body and mattress | Filling is premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers; removing filling makes the pillow lower and softer |
| A soft feel | A softer pillow compresses under a turned head instead of holding it up | Taking out filling makes the pillow softer as well as lower |
| Two surface options | Some people like a bit more resistance, others less | The inner cover has a memory foam sheet with one firmer side and one softer side |
| Easy to keep clean | You spend hours with your face close to the pillow | The Tencel and polyester outer cover is removable and machine washable at 104°F (40°C) |
| A way to change it later | Your mattress, weight or habits can change | The removed filling stays in the storage bag, so you can add it back |
The inner cover and the filling are not washable, so the outer cover is the part you wash. We suggest replacing the pillow after 5 years at most for hygiene. Some users replace it every 3 years.
How is the Yourzzz pillow adjusted?
You do not have to guess your size before you buy. You order first, and you adjust the pillow you received. The method was developed by Dutch physiotherapist Thijs van der Hilst.
- Order the pillow. It costs $89, and if you buy 2 pillows you get 10% off. Shipping is free on all orders.
- Use the calculator. Once the pillow has arrived, open the calculator and enter your height (inches), weight (lbs), sleeping position (choose stomach) and mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm).
- Take out the recommended filling. Use a kitchen scale. The calculator also shows the final weight of your pillow. Without a scale, a 6.8 fl oz (200 ml) glass holds about 1.8 oz (50 g) of filling.
- Keep the rest. Store the extra filling in the storage bag so you can adjust again later. The bag also works for traveling with the pillow.
If you find the pillow too low after a few weeks, you can put some filling back. Extra filling can also be ordered separately to make the pillow higher.
Will an adjustable pillow solve everything?
No. A pillow that fits supports your head and neck in the position you sleep in. That is all we claim. It does not remove the cause of stiffness or pain, and it cannot promise that you will wake up without any complaints. Your mattress, your stress level, your daytime posture and how long you stay in one position also play a role.
If you often wake up with neck or back pain that does not go away, or you have numbness, tingling or pain that spreads into your arms, please see a healthcare provider. A pillow is not a substitute for medical advice.
If you are not sure whether stomach sleeping works for you, our pages on the best sleeping position and the wider Yourzzz sleep guide cover the basics. You can also read answers to common questions in the FAQ.
What if the pillow does not suit you?
You can try the pillow for 100 nights. If you are not satisfied, you can return it. There is no prepaid label, so return shipping is at your expense, and you need to include the return form. The refund goes to your original payment method 5 to 7 business days after we receive the pillow. The pillow also has a 5-year warranty on material and production faults. Normal wear and changes in firmness are not covered.
To learn more about how the pillow is made, see the Yourzzz pillow page or the story behind the pillow. Yourzzz is a brand of United Comfort Industries, pillow makers since 1990, and the pillow is developed and produced in the Netherlands.
Ready to try an adjustable pillow for stomach sleeping?
Order the Yourzzz pillow, then adjust it to the way you sleep. Order your Yourzzz pillow and try it for 100 nights.
After delivery
When your pillow has arrived, open the calculator. It tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received, based on your height, weight, stomach sleeping position and mattress firmness. Keep the extra filling in the storage bag in case you want to adjust again.