Pillows - Pro and Con
Down & Feather Pillows
The most durable and luxurious sleeping pillows. Down is made from the
delicate tufts that cover geese beneath their feathers, and is very fluffy and
soft. Feathers are flat and have quills running through their centers.
Feathers are also very soft but not quite as fluffy as down, and provide
firmer support.
Down pillows are classified by fill power, or fluffiness, and weight (how
many ounces of down are in a pillow). The higher the fill power and weight, the
higher quality the pillow.
It is legal for a product to be labeled GOOSE DOWN and contain as much as 30%
feathers.
Pros: Soft, moldable, cuddly. Easily shaped for
comfort and support. Very durable if well cared for, and can last for years.
Washable.
Cons: Can feel sweaty and hot to some folks who
sleep hot. Need to be coaxed and pulled into the shape you want every time to
change positions. Some folks have allergies to down & feathers. Not supportive
enough for larger people, who may need supplement the neck support with a
cervical roll.
Synthetic fiber pillows
These fills were created to mirror the texture of down, but they're not quite
as moldable or soft.
Pros: Allergy free. Firmer head and neck
support. Higher quality fibers can last for years if well cared for. Washable.
Cons: Synthetic fiber pillows don't contour
well. Neck support contour needs to be sewn in, and sized to the individual
user. Lower quality fibers can wear unevenly and get lumpy. May need a week or
so to "break-in" and soften for comfort.
Foam pillows
Specially molded for specific neck, back and spine support.
Pros: Provide the most precise and supportive
positioning available, especially for folks with neck, upper back and shoulder
area symptoms. Foams that are springy and bouncy must be contoured to precisely
fit the user. "Memory foams" contour more readily, making a precise fit less
critical, but are less supportive. Combination foam pillows generally use
resilient foam for support, covered with memory foam or fibers for contouring
comfort.
Cons: Sleep hot, and for some, get sweaty. Off
gas formaldehydes slowly over time, which is unnoticeable to most, but produces
allergic responses in the chemically sensitive. Not as durable as other pillow
types. May need a week or so to "break-in" and soften for comfort. Can have a
chemical smell for a day or two when new.
Cotton pillows
Pure, natural, absorbent.
Pros: Feel firmer and flatter than down pillows.
Cons: Can compress and begin to feel very hard.
Heavy. Does not contour easily to body curvature. Retains moisture, and if not
cleaned regularly, creates an attractive environment for dust mites and molds.
Wool pillows
Pure, natural, breathable.
Pros: Cool in summer, warm in winter. Naturally
a great insulator, wool responds to your body to keep you at a constant,
comfortable temperature as you sleep. Wicks away moisture, so you won't wake up
damp from nighttime perspiration.
Cons: Can compress and begin to feel very hard.
Heavy. Does not contour easily to body curvature.
Natural, breathable, firm.
Pros: Can be shaped to conform to the contour of
your head and neck to provide very firm support. Do not compress, so neck and
head support remains constant through the night. The coolest, most dry, and best
ventilated pillow available for those who get uncomfortably hot and sweaty
during sleep. Lasts for 10 years or more.
Cons: Extremely firm. Some find them too hard.
Makes little crunching noises (or, depending on your perspective, soothing,
rustling noises) when you change positions. During the first year of use, loses
about 5% - 7% of its volume. Pillows are generally sold overstuffed. Save the
extra hulls and add them back later.
How to choose a pillow size
Fit your pillow to your body and your bed
To select the right pillow, you must consider your body, your
sleeping positions, and your mattress. Whether you sleep on your back,
side, stomach, or somewhere in between, the ideal neck (orthopedic or cervical)
pillow should comfortably support your natural spinal curves.
Fit your pillow to your sleeping positions
Do you sleep on your side, your back, or your stomach? Or all three?
People who sleep on their backs need a flatter, thinner neck support. Those
who sleep on their sides may need a thicker pillow. People who sleep on their
stomachs usually prefer a pillow under their chest, a very thin head pillow, or
no pillow at all. Good neck alignment is difficult to maintain while sleeping on
the stomach. Your habitual sleeping positions determine the key contours your
pillow should support.
Traditional pillows raise the head, leaving the length of the neck
unsupported and sagging. Well-fitting neck pillows are usually thicker or firmer
at the neck and thinner or softer under the head.
Mattress firmness influences how a pillow performs. If your
mattress is very firm you need a thicker pillow. If your mattress is very soft
you need a thinner pillow. The point is to
Choose a pillow that will support the positions you sleep in most of the
night. When you shop for a pillow, remember that it is not unusual for one
person to need pillows of different sizes for different sleeping positions. Some
pillows have different shapes on each side to accommodate different sleeping
positions.
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