Buying a Bed Pillow in 2012. Things You Should Know

Not all pillows for beds are equal, and not very bed pillow will give you the same level of support and comfort while you sleep at night. Learn also about what kind of bed pillows are responsible for bringing out allergies in sleepers, reactions often resulting in sniffling, tickly throats, or coughing usually triggered by tiny particles of trapped dirt or dust mites.

With approximately one third of your day spent in slumber, it makes perfect sense to have a comfortable feather, down, or other quality filling in your bed pillow on which your rest your head for such a long periods. A good night's kip is essential if we are to feel and function at our best during those conscious hours of day, and this can best be achieved by the beds we sleep in, and the bedding we sleep with, and that includes the bed pillow. If you want better sleep, pillow choice can help enormously.

The Hypoallergenic Bed Pillow

Hypoallergenic bed pillows are not quite the same as the 'truly hypoallergenic' options (check the labels), meaning the first will protect most people from allergic reactions and the second will, or at least should, protect all sufferers 100%. The hypoallergenic bed pillows are treated with chemicals and heat and in most cases these methods are very effective. If you have, or think you might have, allergic reactions to the fine dirt and dust mites found in feather and down bedding, then you really ought to make sure your new items are protected prior to purchase.

Unless you're buying a specialist pillow such as a bed reading pillow, a foam bed pillow (including a memory foam neck or wedge pillow), a back support pillow, or a travel neck pillow as a few examples, then you may think that purchasing simple pillows for beds back home is an uncomplicated and straightforward task. Of course, the act of shopping for such is, but if it is comfort, support, and a better night's sleep that you're after, then you might want to keep reading.

Choosing the Right Size of Bed Pillow

It's easy to lose perspective of size when out and about shopping for home products. Beds and bedding items are no different, and one of the most common mistakes a lot of folks make is to come home with say king pillows only to find out that standard pillows would have suited their bed far better.

So as a rough guide, it's practical to get a pair of Queen Pillows for a Queen sized bed, Kings for a King size, and Standard Pillows for a Single bed. However, the above is just a guide and how you sleep can also determine how you use pillows on and in your bed space.

Decoration, Support, & Better Sleep! Pillow Picking Perfection!

Singles living alone but sleeping in a king or super king sized bed might prefer 4 pillows to fill the empty space. Many folks like a spare pillow or two to snuggle up with as well as using them as head supports. Other people who sleep in small single beds may prefer one large king sized bed pillow as opposed to a pair.

A collection of fine bed pillows can also adorn any bed. So as you can see, the humble bed pillow has uses for head support (most important), additional sleeping comfort, and bedroom decoration. Be flexible as you like, but try to be mindful of your needs at the same time.

How you sleep is important in what type of bedding pillow you purchase. Generally speaking, those of you who are sleep on your backs tend to fare better with a flat bed pillow. Side or stomach sleepers will need to focus on a bed pillow that offers good neck support. A lot of people find that orthopaedic pillows and especially Memory Foam Pillows do a great job at providing this.

The filling of a bed pillow can make all the difference as to it’s feel, longevity, and comfort. But just like beds, not all pillow types suit all people the same. Some people like firm beds, others prefer a soft mattress, and most of us like something in-between. Depending how you sleep and your body size/ weight, will determine the best fill for your needs.

Once again, as a rough guide, feathers, down, or a feather and down pillow mix, often make the best head rests, although memory foam pillows are becoming very popular, especially for troubled sleepers or those who suffer from neck, shoulder, or back problems.

There is also what's known as the 'loft' which simply interprets as the volume of pillow filling. Obviously a firm pillow will be tighter and a soft one lighter. Synthetics, though cheaper, tend to break down quicker and need replacing more often. A good quality feather pillow or pure down one should see a lifespan of 10+ years before the feathers need topping up. So all in all, you really do get a lot more for your buck from the latter even though the initial cost is greater.

In order to get the longest life out of any pillow, you need to maintain it correctly. Don't worry, it's nt rocket science or time consuming, and all pillows will come with their own set of care instructions.

Remember, quality sleep is all about how we sleep, and how we sleep determines who we are, how we feel and the way in which we function. If you think you're not at your best more often than not, then you might want to take a good hard look at your bedroom, bed, and bedding items. Decent and comfortable sleep realy does make a lot of difference to our overall health and wellbeing.

Bed Bedding Comments: There's nothing new about bed pillows, in fact pillows for beds can be traced back to early Egyptian times. There is one difference however, and that is the common head and neck supports that we take so much for granted these days, was once a luxury item that few could afford. It wasn't until the industrial revolution that bedding items became available to everyday folks, and that only happened of course because the manufacturing on a grand scale became commonplace for all kinds of domestic goods. It's thanks to that industrial development which spanned from the 18th through to the nineteenth century and its socioeconomic impact on everyday life, that we can enjoy the luxuries that we have today. Folks often forget, or simply don't realise, that we live our lives today thanks to the innovations of a bygone age.

Related Articles you may also want to read:

The Magic Bed Pillow: There's an innovative type of bed pillow available at various department stores and hypermarkets, manufactured by numerous brands. The folks at bed bedding dot com tried out 3 and the one that came out best for comfort was the Magic Pillow found at Tesco's. It is purchased in a flat vacuum pack, and once opened and shaken it takes on its full size and shape. At just a few UK £'s each these are not expensive. The downside is that they start to lose their shape and solidity after about 5 or 6 months.

Best Bed Pillow for Pregnancy Bed Rest: Best Bed Pillow for Pregnant Woman: When choosing a pregnancy pillow, it's important to note that no two pregnancies are the same. What this means is that you need to understand your circumstances and sleep positions before purchasing any pillow. Don't forget too, that as you progress through your pregnancy, your sleep positions may change, as will the amount of time you spend lying down.

2 of the most common maternity bed pillows are of the bed wedge variety and the flexible pillows, which are pre-shaped pillows, sometimes with special features. There is of course lots of good hands-on advice in the shops that sell these products, so once the assistant has ascertained your sleeping needs and habits, you should be able to sleep easier when you have found a maternity pillow of to suit your needs.

Bed Pillows Q & A Section

Q. What's the Best Bed Pillow for Kids

A. Choosing a bed pillow for kids depends on their age and their sleep pattern. It's generally suggested that tots from age 3 to 4 years, are best suited to a low pillow. There are various types of kid's pillows to choose from as they grow from toddler to child, but knowing your youngsters sleeping habits should help you to make better informed decisions at the time of purchase.

Most bedding departments are an authority on what pillows are best for what age, so it's wise to use their expertise when shopping for kids bedding. Most may suggest that a child's pillow should contain some anti-bacterial properties which help to inhibit unwanted guests such as dust mites and or various other foreign substance that likes to make a home out of bedding.

Q. Who Uses Anti Allergy Pillows?

A. Most of us have an allergic reaction to some food, beverage or substance, sometimes so mild that we're not eve aware of it. Others folks are not so lucky and their allergy, or allerfies, can really interfere with their life unless they take precautions. With regards to bedding, those people with allergies, and particularly those who suffer with conditions such as rhinitis, asthma, and eczema, need to be very weary of the house dust mite allergen. This house dustmite allergen loves to reside in untreated synthetic pillows.

An Anti-allergy Pillow is a bed pillow that has had the filling specially treated to prevent dust mites and various moulds & bacteria which are a major cause of allergens. Anti-allergy bed pillows are not costly and so it would be wise for anyone, allergies or not, to spend just a tiny bit extra to purchase such pillows. If nothing else, these pillows are more hygienic than untreated options, so it makes sense all round.

The Myth about Feather Allergies

There is no doubt that some people who have slept with feather and down filled products have had issues with allergy, usually in the form of coughs and irritating sniffles. People naturally connect the dots and think that it is feathers and down that causes this allergic reaction, but this is somewhat of a myth. It's not usually the feathers and down that causing your annoying reaction, but the tiny dust particles, dust mites, and various other allergens that have become trapped in filling, either after purchase, or more commonly, at the factory's washing stage. In other words, these particles of dust, the dust mites, and other potentially allergic fragments are inside the products before they even reach the high street.