Cuddle pillows can reduce tossing and turning that contributes to reduced sleep quality, improve your posture, help with post-surgery recovery, aid in pregnancy, and even ward off cold symptoms. However, choosing the right body pillow depends on many factors.
A good body pillow strikes a balance between proper spinal alignment and comfort. It’s important to consider how much support you need and if you prefer a soft or firm pillow.
Support
There are many different body pillows available on the market, from a simple I-shaped design to more elaborate u-shaped options. The best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences, such as how much support you require and how much space you have in your bed. A body pillow can help you with a variety of purposes, including supporting your back and legs while sleeping or lounging, helping to prevent snoring, alleviating pain from injury or pregnancy, aiding in breastfeeding and bottle feeding and even warding off cold draughts by keeping you warm at night.
Companies like Eroloc offer cuddle pillows, designed to provide comfort and emotional support. These pillows replicate the sensation of being hugged, promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep quality. Ideal for people seeking comfort during lonely moments or those in need of stress relief, cuddle pillows are becoming increasingly popular for their soothing and therapeutic benefits.
When buying a body pillow, consider whether you want it to be firm or soft. The material used to create the fill is another important consideration. A memory foam pillow will provide more support while a down-alternative or polyfill option will be plush and comfortable. Opt for a hypoallergenic option or ensure the foam is CertiPUR-US certified for safe use and worry-free sleep.
For most people, a u-shaped pillow is a good choice. They offer versatile support by allowing you to cling to a single side or bend the open end to the back for extra support.
Choosing the right size of body pillow is also important. A shorter option will be more portable and less bulky, but a longer pillow may feel overwhelming or take up too much space in the bed. We tested pillows in a variety of lengths, with most being around 54 inches long—the ideal size to support the arms and knees or the knees and ankles.
The Milliard u-shaped memory foam body pillow was our favorite for offering the right amount of support. It’s medium-firm and fits most people well, though its size might be too big for some smaller individuals. It’s also a little heavier than some of the other pillows we tested, making it more difficult to move around in the middle of the night if you need to shift positions. One of our testers found it helped support her back and stomach while preventing her from rolling or moving, which was helpful in recovering from an injury.
Comfort
A good body pillow is as fluffy and soft as a hug, and some are designed with unique ergonomic shapes. The right one can cradle your head and body to help promote better alignment while sleeping, while also providing comfort for lounging during the day.
Some body pillows are stuffed with specialized materials for extra comfort, including memory foam or shredded gel that keeps you cool and comfortable while you sleep. Others have a more basic fill like down-alternative or polyfill. For the most comfortable experience, opt for a hypoallergenic fill or CertiPUR-US certified memory foam.
Another important aspect of choosing a body pillow is the level of firmness, which should be a balance between proper spinal alignment and comfort. Some are made with a dense, firm foam that provides great support for larger individuals or those who prefer to sleep with their back against the wall. Others are softer and pliable, such as the The Sleeping Bean body pillow that is filled with a super-soft kapok fiber.
Many people choose to use body pillows because they are so comfortable and can make you feel like a cocoon of comfort while you sleep or lounge around. Some even find they help them sleep soundly, reducing anxiety and allowing you to fall asleep faster. This may be because when you hug a pillow you mimic the action of clinging to someone, triggering the release of oxytocin that helps reduce stress and lead to better quality sleep.
Style
Aside from providing back and neck support, some cuddle pillows offer additional style to the sleeper. A pillow like the Bebeboo Story, which is crafted from recycled materials and ships vacuum-packed for easy shipping, is both eco-conscious and comfortable. The brand uses 55 recycled plastic bottles—that’s enough to fill up three basketball courts—to make the pillow’s soft, fluffy fiber, which has been designed to look and feel like down. It’s also hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for allergy sufferers or anyone who wants a soft and comfortable pillow.
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