Stomach sleeping is the most neck-strain-prone position, because the head is rotated roughly 90 degrees for extended periods. A pillow under 8cm of loft — soft and low — minimises the height difference between the mattress and the head, reducing how far the cervical spine has to twist and lowering the risk of waking up with a stiff or sore neck.Many stomach sleepers do better with a soft body puff-style pillow, or no head pillow at all combined with a thin support under the hips to keep the lower back neutral. If you consistently wake up with neck pain, it's worth trying the lowest-loft option available before assuming stomach sleeping itself is the problem.
