We have all heard how important it is to our health to get a good night’s sleep. Many studies are now linking a lack of sleep with health problems such as obesity and diabetes. But even if you plan your life so you are in bed at a decent hour, what if you can’t get to sleep or stay asleep through the night? Finding a great body pillow has been the solution for many people with sleep problems, from pregnant women to those who suffer from chronic back pain. Here is a quick look at the best body pillows to help you sleep.

Body Pillows for Pregnant Women

A company called Snoozer makes a full body pillow shaped like a candy cane that many pregnant women swear by. The top section supports the head, neck and shoulders. The long center part provides support for the back and the bottom section can be used in a couple different ways to support your hips and legs. Many couples like the candy cane design since it provides great support without taking up as much room as wider body pillows. This pillow is filled with 80% white goose down for added comfort.

Other popular pregnancy body pillows from Leachco and Boppy also get excellent reviews. You can find a variety of these products at stores such as Target, Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond. The typical price range is between $50 and $150. These body pillows are also meant to provide support and comfort to nursing mothers. If you stick with a brand name you will probably not be disappointed with any of these full body pillows. Your biggest decisions will be which shape to choose and which filling you prefer. As with regular bed pillows, you can choose from natural fill such as goose down or synthetic filling such as a polyfill or memory foam. Goose down body pillows will be softer and will compress easily when you wrap your arm or leg around them. Synthetic pillows are firmer and will contour to the shape or your head and neck and provide extra support. If you are unsure of your preferences, reading customer reviews online is always a good idea.

Body Pillows to Relieve Back Pain

For people who suffer from chronic back pain, a great body pillow can provide some much needed relief. They promote proper spinal alignment and provides healthier body circulation and can relieve the pressure on your spine while you are sleeping. Body pillows can eliminate the need to position two or three bed pillows to try and get the support you need during the night. Your doctor can often recommend a particular therapeutic body pillow for your specific needs. The same candy cane or u – shaped pillows that pregnant women use may be the best for people who cannot get the rest that they need due to stiff joints and back pain.

Body pillows can also be a wonderful relief for people who just can’t seem to get comfortable enough to fall asleep or cannot stay asleep. These elongated pillows are helpful for people who have sore or stiff joints or who have trouble getting comfortable enough to fall asleep at night. If you or your partner snores, a full body pillow may also help. You can position a long pillow so that you do not roll over onto your back during the night, which is when most people tend to snore.

A body pillow cover is usually included when you purchase the pillow, but it might be a good idea to purchase extra body pillow covers, especially if you have chosen a pillow that has a unique shape. Make sure to care for you body pillow according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and you should enjoy all the benefits of your pillow for years to come.

One popular kind of TV pillow is the type that looks almost like an armchair with a back and armrests. These pillows provide comfort for any sitting position. They are usually filled with memory foam and are very durable. Look for a pillow that has a soft outer covering. A cover that can be removed for washing is also a great feature to have. All different fabrics and colors are available, both in home stores and at online retailers.

The TV lounge pillow is a variation of this type that also allows you to rest at more of an angle and still have back support. Some of these pillows have adjustable reclining feature and a headrest that is also adjustable. The deluxe models even come with a side pocket for keeping a book, TV guide or eyeglasses. The only problem with getting a high end TV pillow is that you may find yourself spending all day in bed since they are so comfortable!

Another style of TV is a double pillow that is like two comfortable bed pillows combined so that you can decide what positon you would like to use them in. One pillow is more firm than the other, so you can choose to use the more supportive section under your head or your back, wherever you need it more.

The wedge-shaped bed TV pillow is another option to take a look at. This flexible shape allows you watch TV or read at different angles. Some of the wedge TV pillows also come with an additional headrest made of memory foam material.

There are often different fabric and color choices avialable so that you can select a TV pillow that will match the décor of the room it will be used in. Most of these pillows are filled with synthetic materials, so if feather pillows aren’t your thing, you won’t have to worry. Try a TV pillow today and experience the comfort that they will provide for even hours of watching your favorite TV show marathon or reading a page-turner that you just can’t put down.

These elongated pillows are helpful for people who have sore or stiff joints or who have trouble getting comfortable enough to fall asleep at night. Body pillows are also useful for people who snore a lot and either wake up themselves or their partner during the night. Most snoring occurs when you roll on to your back while sleeping. If you position the body pillow behind you, it will keep you sleeping on your side and reduce snoring.

Feather body pillows can also work wonders for those people who regularly sleep with 2 or 3 pillows at night. If you need a pillow for your head and one between your knees and another to support your hips, you typically do not make it through the night with all of the pillows still in place. A full length body pillow can often replace the need for multiple pillows and keep you comfortable the whole night through. When they are positioned horizontally, rectangular body pillows can also be used as a great headrest by two people when reading or watching TV in bed.

There are several choices in styles and fillings for body pillows. You can get a combination feather and down body pillow which will give you the comfort of down with a little extra support from the feathers. For those who are allergic to feathers you may want to look at some of the memory foam or micro fiber body pillows. These two choices are also great for people who need firm support.

In addition to the rectangular body pillow, there are products that are shaped like a candy cane that can be used to tuck under your head and then to wrap around your body or between your legs to provide support for your hips or knees while you sleep. This shape is also very popular for women who are pregnant or nursing.

Pillow covers for body pillows are available in a choice of colors and styles ranging from the basic white to animal prints. Make sure you measure your body pillow if you are purchasing a pillow cover separately. Prices for body pillows range from $40 to over $100 and are usually worth the money if they bring you more comfort so that you can sleep better at night.

The geese farmers in Europe harvest the down by hand so that the birds are not harmed in the process. They can harvest the feathers every six weeks when the birds naturally molt. Raising geese for their down is a long-standing tradition in Hungary which the geese farmers take a lot of pride in.

There are strict guidelines in Europe for the harvesting, processing and cleaning of goose down. Harmful chemicals are banned and the textile mills are some of the most technologically advanced in the world. Because of the high standards of cleaning and drying the down, most of the down products that come from Europe will be hypoallergenic.

You may also hear about down products from Siberia or Asia. “Siberian down” is really just a trademarked name – products with this description are made from down from anywhere in the world. There are geese in Siberia, but they migrate south for the winter and their feathers are black and red and not used to stuff pillows. Asian down typically comes from Chinese geese that are small and produce low quality down that is more like a commercial grade used to stuff children’s toys.

When purchasing a down pillow, check to see if it is all down or a mixture of down and feathers. Many pillows will have a combination of the two, with the feathers in an inner core providing the firmness and support, and the down in the outer layer, providing the softness and comfort. So if you require more support, choose a pillow with a higher percentage of goose feathers.

If you are planning to invest in a high quality Hungarian goose down pillow, make sure that it has a nice pillow covering with a high thread count for protection and durability. Look for a fill power between 650 and 800 for the best loft and comfort. Be prepared that companies shipping directly from Europe may require you to purchase two pillows because of the high shipping costs. Most people say that once you sleep on a good down pillow, you’ll never use anything else, so ordering two might be a good idea anyway.

Natural fill pillows include feather and down pillows.  These are often considered the most luxurious pillows and can also be the most durable. Down pillows do not provide as much support as some other types of pillows and they do need to be fluffed up on a regular basis to retain their loftiness. Although this is the most expensive category of pillows, they can last for many years with the proper care.

Hypodown pillows are ideal for those who like the softness of down but are allergic to feathers. These pillows are actually a combination goose down and milkweed, processed a certain way to be hypoallergenic.

Synthetic fill pillows offer more support than natural fill and are a less expensive alternative. These pillows are also a good choice if you are allergic to feathers. While they are not usually quite as soft as feather pillows, many people prefer the extra support they provide.

Foam and Memory foam pillows are popular with people who need a lot of support. The memory foam pillows will mold to the shape of you head and neck and retain that shape. Foam pillows are not as durable as other kinds of pillows and some people may be allergic to the chemicals given off by the foam.

High quality wool pillows can be almost as soft as down, and are a great alternative in humid climates. The wool wicks away perspiration, so even “hot sleepers” do not wake up all sweaty. Another bonus is that dust mites do not like wool – so this would be a good choice for allergy sufferers.

Cotton pillows are also an excellent choice for allergy sufferers since they are hypo-allergenic.

Husk and seed pillows are making a comeback since they offer great support and can be molded into any shape you desire. Some people do not like the soft rustling noise that comes with moving the pillow around.

Another type of pillow that can help relieve aches and pains are orthopedic pillows. These pillows will help relieve back and neck pain.

While the choice in pillows may be overwhelming, at least there is something out there to please everyone!

The most popular reason people love feather pillows is that they feel soft and luxurious.

But then there are those who prefer a pillow stuffed with man-made materials. If you have not yet made this decision for your next pillow purchase, here are some of the pros and cons of buying a “natural fill” pillow. As you will see, some of the cons associated with feather pillows are actually based on common misconceptions or incomplete information.

Many people think that a down feather pillow would require a lot of upkeep. Actually, if you fluff up the feathers on a regular basis and have a good pillow protector and pillow case, your feather pillow can last for years and years with only an annual cleaning.

This also means that while they seem expensive, feather and down pillows are often a good investment, considering how long they last.

Another common misconception is that a lot of people are allergic to feather pillows. While a small minority actually is allergic to down or feathers, many others are actually allergic to dust mites and dirt – as with any pillow, a good pillow cover will prevent these issues. Others may only be allergic to the chemicals used to clean down pillows – cleaning your pillows yourself will alleviate this problem.

Additional benefits of natural fill pillows include superior comfort, increased flexibility and the fact that down retains heat and acts an insulator. Team up one of these pillows with a queen size comforter set and you will be sure to get a very comfortable and warm night’s sleep.

There are also some back and side sleepers that will say that they get better support from a synthetic pillow, so this could be the case for you. Some foam pillows are popular because they are hypoallergenic and are resistant to mold and mildew.

Some companies that specialize in bedding will also offer a “down alternative” pillow, which can provide the comfort of a down pillow while giving the added support of a synthetic product.
If you can fit it in to your budget, a feather or down pillow could provide you with a great night’s sleep.

The feathers can be from a duck, a goose or even a chicken. The best feathers come from water birds because the birds grow feathers that keep the bird warm, even when the water is very cold.

Since it requires some work to get the feathers from birds, feather pillows are usually much more expensive than pillow stuffed with man made materials.

The most popular type of feathers for pillows and comforters is down. Down feathers are the very soft, fine feathers found under the layer of outer feathers on water birds. The down keeps the bird warm even when they are immersed in very cold water. This explains why it works as such a great insulator in comforters and ski jackets. The down is able to keep a persons body heat from escaping.

The best quality down comes from mature geese that live in colder climates such as Siberia, Hungary or Canada. More expensive down products are usually made from goose down, which is softer and has practically no odor. Lower quality down comes from younger birds whose down is less resilient. If a product is not labels “goose down” it is probably duck down, which is less costly.

The loft, or fill power is defined as the space that one ounce of down takes up, measured in cubic inches. The higher the fill power, the higher the quality of the feather pillow. The best feather pillows will have a fill power of 700 or 800.

When purchasing a feather pillow, you should also be aware of the thread count of the ticking that encases the feathers. The closer the thread count is to 800, the less likely the feathers will come through as your pillow ages. Encasings with higher thread counts will also be softer and more durable.

The down inside a pillow can become compressed when used daily, which is why it is always a good idea to fluff up your pillow as often as possible. You can do this by hand when you make your bed, or use your dryer to fluff up the pillows.

You can purchase feather pillows from department stores, from companies that specialize in down products or from many online stores. With proper care, a feather pillow can last a very long time.

It’s a great idea to protect your pillows from body oils, lotions, stains etc by using a durable pillow protector with a zipper closure. Fluffing up your pillows daily will help them retain their loft.

If your manufacturer’s label says your pillow is machine washable, then you should go ahead and launder them every two to four times a year. If you are using a pillow protector and a pillowcase, a once a year cleaning will be sufficient. Prior to washing, check the ticking and seams to make sure they are strong and tightly sewn.

Wash feather pillows using the gentle cycle.  A front loading washing machine is better than an agitator machine. Many people prefer to take their down pillows and comforters to a commercial laundromat once a year to make sure these items get a gentle but thorough cleaning. Wash two pillows together to balance the load.

Do not use bleach or fabric softener, as these substances could be harmful to the feathers. One good detergent for cleaning down products is Le Blanc Downwash. It’s recommended to run them through the rinse cycle at least twice to make sure all the soap is removed.

After washing your pillows may give off a strong odor, but this will go away after the pillow is completely dry.

Dry your pillows completely on a low to medium setting and add in a few tennis balls to redistribute the filling. It is important that the pillows are completely dry to avoid any mildew forming inside the pillow. Drying can take up to three or four hours.

In between washings, you can also throw your feather pillows in the dryer for 10 minutes to remove humidity and keep them fresh.

When your pillows are not in use you should wrap them in a breathable bag to prevent mildew from forming. Do not use plastic bags since they will trap moisture. Store your pillows in place that have good air flow and they will stay fresh for a long time.

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before you clean any product.  If you put in the time to keep your pillows fluffed, cleaned and protected, you will get many nights of good sleep and a good value for the investment you made when you purchased them.

For many people, that will mean investing a little extra money for a feather or down pillow. When you think of how much time you’ll spend with your pillow, it’s probably worth the money in the long run.

Down or feather?

Down refers to the layer of fine, soft, fluffy feathers found beneath a bird’s regular feathers.

While many people lump down and feather pillows into the same category of “natural-fill” there are many differences between the two. Down pillows are softer than feather pillows and do not have the issue of quills poking out that may occur with feather pillows. Feather pillows are firmer and offer more support because they are flexible and can be folded into different positions to suit your sleeping style.

The most popular natural fill pillow by far is the goose down variety. You’ll see pillows made of Hungarian down, Canadian down and even Chinese down. Other choices are duck down, synthetic down or down/feather blends. If you have allergies, you may want to consider a synthetic down (which will also save you some money).

Firm or Soft?

This is mostly personal preference – do you like a soft pillow? Need the support of a firm pillow? To determine the firmness of feather and down pillows when purchasing online, check to see what the “fill” is. The higher this number is, the firmer the pillow will be. Fill power usually ranges from 500 to 800. A fill of 600 or over is considered premium quality.

Shell design

The fabric of the casing is also important. A pillow with a single shell design will not last as long because oil and moisture from your skin will eventually be absorbed by the down, causing it to break down. Buying a pillow with a double case design or adding a good quality pillow case can slow down or prevent this process.

Longevity

Feather or down pillows are very durable and can last for years with the proper care. Make sure to check the manufacturers instructions – many feather pillows are machine washable. If your pillow is not machine washable you may be able to “refresh” it by putting it in the dryer fir a while with a few tennis balls.

Finding your “dream” pillow can make your nights more restful and your days more enjoyable. And don’t forget those rainy day snoozes and power naps!