Best Feather Pillows

Feather body pillows can be the ultimate in sleeping comfort and are especially great for pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with certain sleep problems. They conform to your shape and provide extra support wherever you need it the most.

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.

There is a wide variety of pillows available on the market today. Here is a list of several of the more popular and common types of pillows you will find available. Your choice will depend upon your personal preferences and whether you have any special needs caused by allergies or upper body aches and pains. Good luck in your search for the perfect pillow!

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!

In the search for a good night’s sleep, finding the right pillow is huge.

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!