
Here’s why we should sleep on our side when pregnant. Support for your spine will help you avoid back pain.Getting comfy in bed with a baby bump can be tricky, but did you know that certain sleep positions during pregnancy are unsafe for bub? If your mattress is soft or worn out, swap it out for one that's more firm. Make it better: Put a pillow under your knees before you doze off. Like "soldier," this position can help with acid reflux, but it also makes you more likely to snore and can aggravate sleep apnea. You're on your back for this one, too, but your legs are spread apart and your arms are bent up on either side of your head. If you're snoring or have sleep apnea, it's best to sleep on your side. It supports the natural curve of your spine and can lower your chances of back pain. Make it better: To help avoid aches in this face-up position, place a pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees.
#Should i sleep on my left or right side pro
There is one big pro to this position, though: It can help acid reflux. Sleeping on your back can lead to a sore lower back as well. This position also isn't a good choice if you're prone to sleep apnea - shallow breathing or pauses in your breath that prevent restful sleep. It can disrupt your sleep and lead to thickening and problems with the carotid artery, which supplies blood to your brain, face, and neck. Snoring isn't just annoying for the person next to you or in a nearby room. Soldierįlat on your back, with arms by your side, can cause snoring, which affects half of all adults at some point and is more common the older we get. Try propping a softer pillow slightly under your forehead, and sleep facing the mattress, rather than turning your head to one side. It can put your neck at an uncomfortable angle and cause pain. You're also more likely to toss and turn as you try to get comfortable on your belly than while in other positions. It may seem cozy when you're snuggling in to bed, but sleeping on your stomach can lead to low back and neck pain. Make it better: Place a soft pillow or folded blanket or towel between your knees to ease pressure on your hips.Īs if sinking into the clouds, you're lying on your stomach with your arms tucked under your pillow or on either side of your head. It can also nix neck and back pain since your spine stays aligned. Resting on your side, with your back mostly straight, can help cut down on sleep apnea. And that's great, because it's good for your health.

Logĭo you sleep on your side but with both arms down, close to your body? You're in fairly good company, too: 15% of people prefer to catch their ZZZs in the log position. A more relaxed back encourages easy breathing.

Pulling your body into a tight ball or curling forward too much limits your lungs and diaphragm. It improves circulation to your growing baby and prevents your uterus from pressing against your liver. You should stick to lying on your left side while expecting. This position's also good for pregnant women. The fetal position might also help ward off conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's: Recent research on animals suggests that your brain does a better job of clearing waste that can lead to these neurological diseases when you're sleeping on your side rather than on your back or stomach. The most popular way to sleep is favored by more than 4 out of 10 people, especially among women, who are twice as likely as men to sleep curled up on their side.įor the most part, it's a healthy way to doze, because it allows your spine to rest in its natural alignment. Learn about the pros and cons of common ways to sleep, and discover easy tips on making each position a little bit better for you. Unfortunately, the position that you find most comfortable might end up causing health problems, ranging from aches to sleep apnea. Even if your bedtime changes nightly, or you wake up at wildly different times each morning, there's probably one position that's your favorite for slumber. Chances are that one thing about your sleep routine is pretty consistent.
