Sleeping on Stomach for a Bigger Bum: Fact or Fiction?

Have you ever wondered if the way you sleep could impact the size of your bum? Well, your curiosity ends here.

It’s a question that has piqued the curiosity of many body-conscious women, and you might be surprised to learn that your sleeping position could offer an unexpected benefit.

In this article, we will determine whether sleeping on your stomach can make your bum bigger and the optimal sleeping position for your overall body health. So, get cozy and prepare to discover the surprising benefits of your favorite snooze position!

Kay Takeaways:

• Sleeping on your stomach won’t make your bum bigger; it may cause discomfort and pain.
• Alternative sleep positions like side or back sleeping can benefit your overall health and posture.
• Your genetics, diet, and exercise habits heavily influence the size of your buttocks.
• Targeted exercises like deadlifts and squats can help build and tone your gluteal muscles.
• Maintaining good posture while sleeping is best achieved by sleeping on your back.
• Prolonged sitting can lead to increased fat buildup in the buttocks and hips; take regular breaks.

Can Sleeping on My Stomach Lead to Bigger Glutes?

Sleeping on your stomach does not make your bum bigger. Your bum may be slightly elevated in this position compared to other positions, but this elevation is not enough to significantly affect the size or shape of your buttocks.

In fact, it has the opposite effect. Here are some of the potential downsides of sleeping on your stomach:

Neck pain: Sleeping on your stomach can strain your neck, as you have to turn your head to one side to breathe. 

Back pain: Sleeping on your stomach can also put a strain on your lower back. This is because your spine is not in its natural alignment when you sleep in this position.

Hip pain: Your hips are rotated inward when you sleep in this position, which can put pressure on your lower back and buttocks. This can lead to pain and muscle tension in the hips and will eventually make your bum look smaller.

Increased Risk of Acne: If you have acne-prone skin, sleeping on your stomach can exacerbate the problem. The pressure on your face can transfer oils, sweat, and bacteria from your pillowcase onto your skin, potentially clogging pores and causing acne breakouts.

Wrinkles: When you sleep face down, your face is pressed against the pillow or mattress, creating pressure. This pressure can compress the skin and cause it to fold, which may contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

A study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that skin distortion from compression during sleep can cause wrinkles.

Advantages of Different Sleep Positions for Your Health

If you wake up with neck, hip, and back pain, you may want to try sleeping in a different position. Some good alternatives to sleeping on your stomach include:

Sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your left side offers significant digestive benefits because it aligns with the natural positioning of the stomach and pancreas, facilitating the smooth flow of digestive juices and enzymes. 

Additionally, this position can alleviate acid reflux and heartburn while promoting effective stomach emptying, making it especially advantageous for individuals with gastrointestinal problems. Furthermore, this position minimizes pressure on the heart and its blood vessels, improving blood circulation. 

Furthermore, research published in BMJ Journals found that the side-lying position generally tended to provide protection against spinal symptoms.

Sleeping on your back: Sleeping on your back aligns your head, neck, and spine in a straight line, lowering the risk of chronic back or neck pain. Additionally, this position supports improved airflow and lung expansion, making it valuable for those with sleep apnea or snoring issues.

Sleeping with a pillow between your knees: A knee pillow offers cushioning and support for the knees and legs, relieving pressure points, which is particularly helpful for individuals with arthritis or joint pain. Furthermore, it can enhance leg blood circulation, preventing numbness, tingling, and swelling by alleviating prolonged pressure on blood vessels.

What Factors Affect the Size of Your Bum?

Sleeping position alone is unlikely to be a factor in determining the size of your bum. One of the primary factors contributing to the size and shape of your gluteal muscles is genetics because it determines your body’s natural shape and where you tend to store fat.

Also, diet can cause your bum to grow larger due to consuming excess calories, especially from unhealthy sources like sugary and fatty foods. However, make sure to monitor your calorie intake to prevent excessive fat gain while building muscle.

Furthermore, fitness enthusiasts should aim for targeted exercises for bigger and stronger glutes. Such exercises include squats, lunges, and deadlifts, which can help tone the muscles in your buttocks, making them appear larger and firmer. 

Try also to include cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, and stair climbing, as this can help reduce body fat, which may result in a more sculpted bum. 

What Is the Best Sleeping Position for Maintaining Good Posture?

The optimal sleeping position for maintaining good posture is sleeping on your back. This position allows for proper spine alignment and reduces the risk of neck pain.

If you find it difficult to sleep on your back, Dr. Michael Grandner, a sleep researcher at the University of Arizona, suggests you try side-sleeping with a pillow between your knees. This position can help to reduce pressure on your back.

Selecting the right pillow is essential for overall spinal health. Pillow height and support should align with your sleeping position; thicker pillows suit side sleepers, while thinner ones are better for back and stomach sleepers. 

Material choice matters, too, with memory foam, latex, down, and other materials offering varying levels of support and comfort. 

Does Sitting Make Your Bum Bigger?

Sitting for long periods of time can make your bum bigger. This is because sitting puts pressure on the buttocks and hips, which can lead to fat buildup in these areas.

A research study published in the journal Cell Physiology in 2014 found that fat cells exposed to sustained pressure, such as what happens when you sit, experience accelerated growth of lipid droplets, which are the molecules that carry fats. 

However, if you have a sedentary lifestyle, be sure to take regular breaks from sitting every hour. Stand up, stretch, and move around for a few minutes.

Can This Surprising Sleeping Position Really Boost Your Bum Size?

Sleeping on your stomach won’t lead to bigger glutes, but it can bring several health issues, including neck and back pain, hip discomfort, and an increased risk of acne and wrinkles. 

Instead, consider sleeping on your side, particularly the left side, for improved digestion and reduced pressure on the heart. Alternatively, sleeping on your back aligns your spine and supports better airflow, benefiting those with snoring or sleep apnea issues.

Maintaining good posture during sleep is also vital, with sleeping on your back being the optimal choice. So, why not prioritize your overall health and sleep in a position that benefits your body rather than compromising it? 

Also read: How to Get a Bigger Butt Fast