Guide: Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

Getting great night’s sleep is imperative for living through productive days taking care of business and family. Along with a comfortable mattress it is a must to have a pillow that will fit your body and sleeping position in order to aid in a peaceful dreamy sleep. With a world of back, stomach, and side sleepers, a whopping 63 percent of people choose the side position to sleep in, according to Web MD. If you are one of the many sleepers preferring to sleep on the side, it is important to find a best pillow to go with your best mattress for side sleepers.

I: Comfort Level

II: Different Types Of Pillows

III: Specialty Pillows

IV: The Perfect Pillow for You

I: Comfort Level

Just as one should shop for a mattress, it is important to determine the comfort level of a pillow that is required to achieve the best sleep possible. Side sleepers require a different pillow firmness than back or stomach sleepers. Sleeping on the side means resting on your shoulder. This keeps the head higher than it would when sleeping on the back and stomach.

The pillow for a side sleeper must be firmer to hold the head in the proper position. Best pillows for side sleepers must be able to fill the space above the shoulder. This allows for the head to have a resting position that keeps it from bending awkwardly creating aches and pains.

II: Types Of Pillows

There are now numerous types of pillows designed specifically for one’s sleep position and distinct needs. Side sleepers all need added neck support but there are other factors to add in as well when seeking the type of pillow that will be the best. Allergies, noise, expense are all features that will help you to determine exactly what type of pillow will be the best fit for the side sleeper’s ultimate comfort.

Memory Foam

Great dense pillow that molds with one’s contours allowing for the perfect comfort and support level needed to prevent aches.

Foam

The foam pillow is often confused with memory foam. Unlike the memory foam pillow, these pillows are created by using shredded or chopped up pieces of foam, often leftovers from solid memory foam mattresses and pillows.

Latex

Rubber trees produce the substance that is used to make latex pillows. This is another type of pillow that is dense and can be manufactured as a contour pillow for neck support.

Cotton

Cotton is a totally natural product commonly used for pillow production.

Wool

Wool is a natural and breathable option for pillows.

Down

Down pillows are literally like sleeping on a cloud of the softest feathers. These fluffy feathers come from the soft belly of a bird and do not have sharp quills.

Feather

Feather pillows are a more affordable alternative to Down pillows. The difference is that Down pillow feathers come from the birds outside. These are feathers with quills that protect the birds.

Buckwheat

The buckwheat pillow is crafted from using buckwheat hulls as stuffing. Once kernels are removed the hulls are roasted so that all dust is cleaned from them. They are then used to fashion into pillows.

Microbead

This is a newer pillow type using the polystyrene beads as fill commonly used to fill bean bags.

III: Specialty Pillows

Along with the standard pillow used to rest the head on, side sleepers can gain additional comfort by adding specialty pillows to help aid in peaceful dreams.

Body Pillow

The body pillow is a head and specialty pillow all in one. Just like it sounds it wraps around the entire body to cradle it in comfort. This is the perfect pillow to hold the body comfortably in place as you sleep. It works wonderfully as an aid for pregnant woman to help have a more peaceful sleep.

Knee Pillow

Those sleeping on their sides will have knee upon knee. This causes the spine to be out of natural alignment. By placing a pillow between the knees, it raises the upper leg to a more natural position. The specialty knee pillows support the hip and spine reducing pressure, promoting better sleep, and less aches and pains.

Arm Rest Pillow

Much like the knee pillow keeps knees in their proper position for spine alignment, the arm rest pillow allows for the upper arm to be raised in place in a more natural position. This prevents from the shoulder dropping down and slouching. By supporting the upper arm the shoulder stays in its proper position and the spine is kept straight, allowing for less aches when rising from sleep.

IV: Ultimate Pillow For You

The type of pillow required for a side sleeper is more than just its fill. The pillow must be built in a way to fill in contours and work to act as a cradle for the neck. Side sleeper pillows often have panels sewn in to allow for needed support to keep the head aligned with the body.

The best pillows for side sleepers will be ultimately determined on individual needs and wants. With the many choices memory foam takes the lead as it retains its shape while also providing optimal support for the neck and head.

Keep in mind that experts suggest buying a new pillow every one to two years. Along with the fill of foam, or a cotton or wool batting becoming lumpy and out of shape, pillows also soak in the skin’s oils and dead hair. Non-allergenic pillows gather dust mites over time as well. With these things in mind it is important to maintain and replace pillows on a regular basis.