Sleeping on your stomach is a bad habit that causes pain and numbness, while the back position is considered the gold standard for sleep quality and physical comfort.

noli's read

The consensus is that sleeping on the stomach is problematic, although a minority point out that it remains necessary for their own comfort or to limit sleep interruptions. From a scientific perspective, sleeping on the stomach is indeed often discouraged in ergonomics because it necessitates prolonged neck torsion and increased lumbar arching, which may explain the reported pain (source: observational studies in chiropractic and ergonomics). However, the claim that sleeping on the back is universally 'the best' is an exaggeration: for individuals suffering from sleep apnea or snoring, the supine position often worsens airway obstructions, making sleep less restorative (source: meta-analyses on sleep disorders). The cited case of 'Saturday night palsy' is a real risk of nerve compression, but it is rare and generally linked to intoxication or deep immobility. In short, the ideal position remains highly individual: while the back relieves mechanical tension for some, the side or stomach may be preferable for others to maintain airway patency or avoid night terrors.

the sources

1. 1r/sleep