I feel like I used to have a satisfactory layout for years but haven’t since found a consistently comfortable arrangement. I like to have a fairly thick pillow or two under my head to accommodate my bad shoulder, a pillow between my thighs to avoid chafed skin, and a pillow for hugging - also mostly for my shoulder.
The head ones tend to get distorted really quickly and it’s really difficult to find a good hugging pillow.
1️⃣ long one of memory foam pellets . Very particular about pillow stuffing material , must hold it’s shape so can comfortably rest head on it without sinking . Gone thru some bad long pillows before
I use a bath towel folded twice the short way. Nice and flat for back sleeping. I can make it thicker for side sleeping by folding the end under as needed when I roll over. But I use a CPAP so I don’t roll much at all.
Interesting, I don’t think I’ve encountered someone using a towel long term.
I use a CPAP, too, but toss and turn so much that I think the arm flick to adjust the air hose during the turn has become reflexive.
Two thin pillows stacked and oriented vertically. Thinness is key because they’re easy to fold or roll to “make” pillows of various shapes and thicknesses, to support whatever position I feel like lying in.
I’ve heard that before and tried it myself, but I’ve always found that whatever custom shape I make unravels itself as I sleep, waking me up.
It’s not perfect, but having thin pillows that are a bit worn/broken-in can make then less likely to spring back into their flat shape. The way you place them can also help… for example, rolling downward toward the mattress instead of up, rolling the bottom one and placing the top one across it to hold the roll in place, or placing two half-rolled pillows in a, uh, “69” orientation so the pillows keep each other’s roll in place with friction. Depending on how you sleep you also might be able to train yourself to shift position/roll over without lifting your head, but that’s more of a challenge.
Shredded latex is the answer, 100%. But only if you are able to remove (or add) the latex as needed. I found I needed about half of what the pillow came with. Maybe a third?
The result is a pillow that can do it all: prop up your head for reading in bed, become mostly neck support for back sleeping (with a bit of shaping; takes seconds but isn’t automatic,) and ditto for side sleeping but at a slightly higher height.
Once you get used to a pillow that holds its shape and provides excellent support, all other pillows feel archaic.
Well, you definitely seem like an authority on the subject!
I don’t think I’ve stuck with this approach for more than a consecutive week or two, so perhaps I need to give them more time before they get comfortable.
I am sleep on my belly but slightly to the side, I have firm memory foam pillows that isn’t too high for my head. The second pillow is between my legs with one going under and the other over to support the leg on the side I am facing. I used to hug a third pillow but currently hug plushies.
Also a weighted blanket year round with an additional blanket in the winter
Body pillow, 3x king size pillows, 2x standard size memory foam pillows, a few square throw pillows, & a 10ft x 10ft blanket.
Pillows arranged into a U shape with my head in the curve. I essentially create a little nest/fort to keep the world away.
Dang, and my kid thinks I have a lot on my bed!
I’m glad you’ve found something that works. Those 10x10 blankets are huge - and pretty cool. I got my wife one a few Christmasses ago and she’s used it on and off since then. I hate folding it solo after washing it, though.
I keep another 10x10 in the storage ottoman to wrap up in watching movies. Best thing ever. Apparently there’s a company that has a 12x12 now, but I can’t justify it (yet, lol)
I have a similar set-up, except the pillow that goes between my knees is long enough to also hug and then I usually arrange a corner of my blanket on top for extra height.
When it comes to the pillow I rest my head on, I’ve found that the best possible filling is little memory foam cylinders for some reason. Not shredded memory foam, which I’ve also tried, but cylinders. They’re about the size of a finger except thicker, and make the pillow very adjustable - a concept that I always thought should make no sense since memory foam is supposed to keep its shape, and yet I’ve never had a better pillow.
I tried several pillows made of different materials different brands and everything else. But after all that I concluded the most comfortable I was when I used no pillows.
The big pillow is lying to you. You don’t need a pillow for comfortable sleep \s
This
Just an ordinary rectangular pillow. Contrast with European square pillows, which are way too big. It’s served me well for the past 20+ years (yes, the same pillow) as a side sleeper.
My oldest pillow is about fifteen years old and was one of my first purchases in my own home - it’s the one I now use to about skin chafing. Back then it was for my head.
I didn’t know European pillows were different, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.
I have two pillows on top of each other, one stuffed with raw wool, and one made from layers of wool and cotton batting. Which one is on top depends on the season.
The best hugging pillow I ever had was a ridiculously large plushie, because the fill density was different. I haven’t figured out the head pillow yet, because sometimes as a side sleeper I try to hug those, too. I’ve mostly landed on ignoring the shaped memory foam pillows, because even if it says “for side sleepers” it usually feels better using as a traditional sleeper
I haven’t tried a plushy, but yeah, I also find sleeping accessories marketed towards side sleepers to generally be unsatisfactory.
3 pillows, one in the middle that’s lower and 2 on the sides to keep my giant head from shifting too much to one side so my neck isn’t put under pressure.
You know, I named my cat “Hex,” short for “Hexadecimal.” I don’t think I’ll be introducing you to her.
It’s for Reboot. Ifykyk.
I don’t know the details, but from my vague memories of that show, I can extrapolate.
You still can’t meet my cat.
Three pillows. One thicker one leaned up against the headboard at a very slight angle, almost vertical. Then two thinner pillows, first one at what would be a 45 degree angle overlapping the thick pillow, then the final one overlapping that one.
Only way I have been able to find comfort in pillows in the last 5 years or so
An adjustable, removable fill, cutout, side sleep pillow. https://a.co/d/aXcI4Wx
I’ve even bought one for my step mom. The brand is amazing, and removable fill is the way to go.
I’ve tried one of those - not that brand, a generic one - and sadly found that I tend to slide down in my sleep, leaving my head in the cutout overnight. Perhaps a nicer brand would resolve that. Thank you for the recommendation!
Oh interesting. I’m not sure about the sliding down, I’ve not had that happen. The one I linked holds it shape very well, the recommendations actually say you should fluff it every night but I have only fluffed it like 4 or five times since getting it years ago.
You’re welcome for the recommendation!
I think I might have been thinking of this one.
Holy cow that’s an expensive pillow. I thought mine was expensive lol
Sadly, for me, it wasn’t worth the cost; however, my kid did enjoy laying on it to watch TV for at least a few days, so perhaps they’d recommend it.
This is gonna sound stupid but I have a collapsed pillow that’s like 10+ years old and I love it
Nice! I had one of those but I think it eventually decayed too far to keep using.
Either no pillow or the flattest firmest one in the house under my head.
See, either of those options just sound like neck pain to me, but thank you for the answer!
It’s the solution to neck pain, for me.
Well, fair enough - I’m glad you found something that works for you.
