Hi there in this article i will write guideline about How to choose the Best cpap pillow for side sleepers ,You might be confused to choose one because there are many types and almost all all of them is designed for side sleepers.
You don’t need it, if your mask never leaks when you sleep. However, when it always leaks while you sleep, then you may consider it. If you keep using your standard pillow, it’s possible for your head to tilt back and it will cause ear ache (if you are not using cpap mask and are side sleepers you can see my review about Side sleeper pro pillow here).
After you finish read this article i hope you can narrow down your choice and pick one of the best pillow for you.
If you are back and side sleepers and using cpap mask for your sleep you must know how hard it is to keep your mask sealed all night because your pillow keep “trying” to leak your mask.
After you finally have a good spot for your mask you realized that you find it uncomfortable for you, so when you wake up in morning you feel neck (Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain), back or shoulder pain because that position doesn’t make your head in proper position.
That is common problem to you among others cpap mask user who side sleepers too. That is why pillow inventor make special pillow for CPAP mask users (especially for stomach and side sleepers), but there are pillow that suitable for both cpap mask users and regular sleeper who are not using cpap mask.
What is CPAP Pillow
CPAP pillows are specially designed pillows that are used by those who suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time while they are sleeping. This can cause snoring, fatigue, and other health problems if left untreated. CPAP pillows help to keep the airway open during sleep by providing support and reducing pressure on the face, neck, and shoulders.
There are many different types of CPAP pillows available on the market today. Some of these pillows are made from foam or memory foam, while others may be filled with down or other materials. Some CPAP pillows also have special features like built-in masks, adjustable heights, and contoured designs to provide maximum comfort and support for users.
CPAP pillows also have unique features like cutouts or raised sections that accommodate the mask’s hose, allowing users to move around more easily without dislodging their masks during sleep.
see my resmed airfit p10 review here
Who Need CPAP Pillow
If you are one of those people who can’t sleep without a CPAP machine, then investing in a CPAP pillow (see more info about types of pillow here) could work wonders for you. These pillows are designed specifically to accommodate the needs of people who use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat sleep apnea. But who needs these pillows? Well, they can benefit side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers alike.
Side-sleepers need a CPAP pillow because it helps them maintain proper spinal alignment while they sleep. The pillow provides ample support to their neck and head, which helps reduce pain and discomfort. It also ensures that the mask stays put throughout the night, preventing air leaks that can interrupt your treatment. Back-sleepers also need these pillows as it helps keep their chin from falling forward onto their chest, which could obstruct breathing through the mask.
CPAP Pillow Types
Contour Shape
The most common type of CPAP pillow is the contour shape pillow. It has a unique shape that follows the natural contours of your head, neck, and shoulders. Its design allows for better alignment of your spine and reduces the chances of experiencing pain or discomfort while sleeping on your side or back. Contour-shaped CPAP pillows also prevent mask leaks by creating a stable surface area for your mask to rest on.
Another type of CPAP pillow is the common shape pillow.
Important post: How To Choose The Best CPAP Mask For Side Sleepers and How To Choose The Best CPAP Chin Strap For Sleep Apnea
Common Shape
The common shape pillow is designed to provide support for the head and neck while maintaining proper alignment with the spine. These pillows have a flat surface that allows them to be easily adjusted for maximum comfort. They are typically made from memory foam or other materials that can conform to the user’s body shape over time. This allows them to provide consistent support throughout the night, even as users change positions in their sleep.
MATERIALS
Generally this pillow type is made from memory foam and buckwheat or mix of them. The reason why Inventor make the pillow material from memory foam and buckwheat pillow is because these materials can properly support CPAP mask user’s head but still give comfort to them.(see more info about pillow filling materials here)
Each of materials have their own benefits
Memory foam
Memory foam is foam material which gain it’s popularity few years ago, it known because it can mold to your body shape and won’t give pressure to your body but user still feel soft about it. Bad thing about memory foam is it can get hot at night.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat pillow have been used by Asian hundreds years ago, buckwheat pillow are filled with hulls of a rhubarb family fruit but before used these hulls are roasted first to remove dusk.
Buckwheat pillow filling is natural and it can shaped to your need (whatever your sleeping style it can match you up), so it won’t pressure your neck thus you can sure that you won’t feel any pain(shoulder, back, and neck pain) in morning.
The pillow also cool because it can provide air circulation among the hulls, one of the best thing about buckwheat is it’s hypoallergenic and bugs free naturally. But some people find it too noisy and stiff.
SEE MY POST to know How to clean cpap equipment and Common Cpap mask Issues & how to fix it
Mixed Memory Foam and Buckwheat
This type of pillow was made because some people complain about buckwheat pillow was too stiff, so they made a new model that mix buckwheat and shredded memory foam to add more soft feeling
FIXED OR ADJUSTABLE SIZE
CPAP mask side sleepers users need tall edge pillow to prevent hose mask touch mattress, that is where common pillow fail. One of the most important thing for CPAP pillow is your spine alignment in correct position. There are 2 size types for it, fixed and adjustable size :
Fixed size
Fixed size pillow is pillow which designed special for CPAP users because they knew it’s hard to keep CPAP mask sealed all the night. The most common design is almost same as common pillow but there are 3 half round holes on the edge (to prevent CPAP mask touch the pillow).
For this type common filling material is memory foam pillow which is makes sense because memory foam pillow give good support while maintain it’s softness (with proper depth).
Adjustable size
Adjustable pillow can be adjusted by shape and filling to match your sleep position. For example if you want side sleep position while using cpap mask just move the filling to one side or make a hole on a place by hitting it’s filling and if you feel the pillow is too stiff you can take out the filling.
Short word this type of pillow is so flexible to conform to your need
This type of pillow usually filled by buckwheat or mixed of buckwheat and shredded memory foam, while CPAP mask users reported it works for them this type of pillow still good to use for non CPAP mask user too.
Warranty and support
One of the most important aspects to choose CPAP pillow is warranty and support. A good warranty ensures that you can rely on the product for an extended period without worrying about repair costs or replacement fees. In addition, quality customer support is essential in case you have any questions or issues with your purchase.
Before choosing a CPAP pillow, it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions of the warranty. Some manufacturers offer limited warranties while others have extended ones that cover more components and defects. It’s also important to know how long the warranty lasts as well as any exclusions that may void it such as misuse or accidental damage. Some pillow offer 5 years warranty and the longest warranty i know for a pillow is 10 years.
In addition to warranty considerations, it’s also vital to look into customer support options provided by the manufacturer.
CPAP Pillow Firmness level
The ideal firmness level of a CPAP pillow largely depends on personal preference and sleeping position. For example, back sleepers may prefer a firmer pillow that provides more support for their neck and spine. On the other hand, side sleepers may benefit from a softer pillow that conforms to their shoulder and ear without putting extra pressure on the mask or tubing.
It’s also important to consider any pre-existing medical conditions such as arthritis or chronic pain when choosing the firmness level of your CPAP pillow.
Fortunately most of them provide medium to medium firm level firmness because the pillow must hold it shape to prevent pillow press CPAP mask thus it can get leak. To prevent leakage pillow must be high enough to keep mask touch mattress.
5 inch pillow height is good to keep your mask hose touch mattress but you must feel comfort too if 5 inch doesn’t comfort you you can lower it to 4 inch.
Recommended Product
The ikstar CPAP Pillow is a revolutionary product that has been designed to cater to the needs of people suffering from sleep apnea. This pillow can be used with any CPAP machine and is perfect for individuals who find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep due to their condition. The pillow has been specially engineered to keep the airway open, which helps in preventing snoring and other breathing problems.
The ikstar CPAP Pillow comes with several unique features that make it stand out from its competitors. The pillow has a hollowed-out design that allows users to sleep on their side, back or stomach without any discomfort. It also comes with adjustable heights which can be customized according to your personal preferences. The cover of the pillow is made of high-quality materials such as bamboo fiber, making it soft and comfortable against your skin.