Are Body Pillows Good for Side Sleepers? You’d Be Surprised!

Body pillows offer excellent support and comfort. Many side sleepers prefer body pillows because they’re easy to cradle and they add extra cushioning. However, using the wrong pillow can cause sleeping problems. So, can you use a body pillow if you like sleeping on your side?

Body pillows are good for side sleepers because they provide spinal support by reducing the strain on your hips and lower spine. Place the body pillow between your knees and hold the top with your arms for optimal comfort. Some side sleepers use the top of the body pillow for head and neck support.

I’ve used body pillows as a side sleeper for well over a couple of decades. Body pillows are irreplaceably comfortable because they prevent strain and knee-on-knee contact. I’ll cover all of the FAQs about side sleepers and body pillows in this article.

Is a Body Pillow Good for a Side Sleeper?

A body pillow is a perfect part of a nighttime routine for many side sleepers. Not only are body pillows supportive, but they’re also breathable and cooling. The only problem is that you’ll never go back to not using a body pillow once you try one.

Here’s a list of reasons side sleepers should use body pillows:

• According to WebMD, body pillows support a side sleeper’s spine. Many side sleepers experience lower back pain from arching their back. Putting a body pillow between your legs will provide incredible support that won’t strain your back, hips, or knees.
• Body pillows prevent your knees from bumping into each other when you sleep. I love my body pillow because it cushions my knees and stops them from pressing together. Not only is it great at preventing knee pain, but it also feels quite comfortable when you’re looking for a cozy night’s sleep.
• You can hug a body pillow, providing comfortable warmth and an amazing ‘stomach-sleeping’ feeling. Side sleepers are often envious of stomach sleepers because it’s so comfortable to lay with your stomach against the soft, cushioned mattress. You can get that same soft feeling from a body pillow, regardless of your sleeping orientation.
• There are body pillows of all shapes and sizes to fit every side sleeper’s needs. You can choose body pillows that wrap around your back or short body pillows that only cushion your knees and stomach. There’s a body pillow for any side sleeper, stomach sleeper, or back sleeper.
• Side sleepers can put body pillows behind them to prevent themselves from rolling over during the night. Whether you’re tired of rolling around in your sleep or you enjoy the cozy comfort on your back, a body pillow can make side sleeping infinitely more enjoyable.

There’s no doubt side sleepers will enjoy body pillows, but there are far too many body pillows to be considered as one size fits all. Below, you’ll find out what kind of body pillow you should choose as someone who sleeps on their side.

What Kind of Body Pillow Should a Side Sleeper Have?

A side sleeper should have a body pillow that goes from the center of the chest to the ankles. Many body pillows range between 36 inches to 72 inches. Side sleepers can choose longer body pillows if they want to use them for neck support, too.

The Milliard Full Body Pillow measures 54 inches, making it the ideal size for side sleepers. This bamboo body pillow is dense and soft. It includes a body pillow cover, so you don’t need a separate one. The removable bamboo pillowcase is breathable, too.

So, what should you look for in a body pillow if you’re a side sleeper?

Body Pillow Length

Choosing the proper body pillow length will make it much easier to sleep on your side. While some people prefer body pillows that match their height, others want body pillows that are the length between their ankles to their chest.

Filling Material

You can find body pillows with filling materials ranging from memory foam to cotton or Japanese buckwheat pillow stuffing. I prefer memory foam surrounded by a bamboo rayon pillowcase. Memory foam body pillows don’t compress as much as cotton filling, which is important for side sleepers.

Supportive Density

If a side sleeper chooses body pillows that aren’t dense enough, their knees will compress the filling and cause discomfort. On the other hand, a body pillow that’s too dense can open your hips too much. Cotton and memory foam are usually much better than down filling for side sleepers.

Remember, your bed frame affects your sleep, including how you use a body pillow. If you have a small mattress and bed frame, there won’t be enough room for you to use a long pillow comfortably.

How Do You Sleep on Your Side With a Body Pillow?

You should sleep on your side with a body pillow to align your hips, spine, and neck. One knee goes on top of the body pillow and the other knee should be in the same position below the pillow. Choosing the proper pillow filling will ensure your knees are the perfect width apart.

Casper recommends keeping your knees and legs parallel when sleeping with a body pillow. This position ensures optimal spinal alignment, too. It’s one of the many ways side sleepers can enjoy body pillows without having to shift around in their sleep.

Keep these factors in mind to use a body pillow properly:

• The width of the body pillow is equally as important as the length.
• Soaking a body pillow will flatten it, which reduces its supportiveness for side sleepers.
• Body pillows are typically narrower than head pillows, but they’re a bit denser and thicker in the middle.
• Put a blanket over you and your body pillow to retain the body heat.

Getting a good body pillow can make massive improvements when you sleep on your side. Body pillows have helped me sleep comfortably without needing fancy mattresses or lavish bed frames. Sometimes, a good pillow is more effective than anything else.

It’s also a good idea to fix your blankets and bed sheets. Heavy blankets hurt feet, so try to find a middle ground for lightweight layers of blankets.