3 types of pillows & tips to make the right choice

Pillows are one of the basic sleep products for a pleasant and relaxing sleep. But as sleeping habits differ, correspondingly there are many different types of pillows depending on the filling and the material they are made of. In general, pillows with feather filling are fluffy, light and warm, and also "breathe" better. Alternatively, you can find pillows with synthetic materials, such as polyesters also called microfiber fill or polyfill. These pillows are machine washable and usually hypoallergenic. Synthetic pillows are soft but not as highly breathable as down pillows.

Feather pillows

Down pillows usually feature duck and goose feathers. Similar to down, these pillows are fluffy, comfortable and 'breathable'.

Memory pillows foam

Different types of memory foam pillows offer different levels of shock absorption. They also come in natural foam, which is cooler than traditional memory foam and is hypoallergenic.

Latex pillows

These pillows are made of latex foam and are anti-microbial. Similar to memory foam pillows, latex pillows conform to the shape of the head. Tips for choosing the right pillow A good pillow will help maintain spinal alignment and ensure restful sleep. Depending on your sleeping position, you can determine how firm your pillow should be:

• A firm pillow is ideal for side sleepers. It contours the neck and contains enough padding to cover the distance between the head and neck to the edge of the shoulder on the mattress.
• Back sleepers need a pillow with medium to soft firmness. The pillow should be thick enough to support the head and upper spine.
• Face sleepers should use a soft pillow. Soft pillows allow the head to sink while keeping the rest of the body horizontal.
• Those who frequently change sleeping positions need a pillow of medium firmness, so that it is firm enough for side sleepers and soft enough for back or stomach sleepers.

The scientific information in the article has been edited by Lauren Fountain , a certified Sleep Coach with extensive experience researching and testing a wide variety of sleep products.