Memory foam is actually polyurethane with the adding of special chemicals, giving it the viscosity and density characteristic.
The higher density memory foam is often used in mattress and pillow production, because it will soften when react with human body heat, eventually mold our body in a few minutes.
When we are no longer on the memory foam pillow or mattress, it will recover back the original shape.
Pros And Cons Of Memory Foam
PROS
Memory foam are quite popular nowadays in pillow production because of its constant molding ability that can adjust accordingly to our body shape during the sleep.
The memory foam reduce pressure points, reduce body pain and alleviate neck pain.
CONS
With old memory foam pillows, they can emit a very unpleasant smell coming from the foam chemicals and our sweat.
Therefore, a memory foam pillow should be washed regularly; even it is dust-mite resistant.
The memory foam pillow is known that will make our body hot because of its heat retaining feature.
This is a big drawback when your room does not have air conditioner
Foam
Foam is another very popular substance that is used in mattress and pillow production due to its endurance and cheap characteristic.
The foam is able to support our body and mold to our body shape. However, foam will lose its shape when we use for a while.
When choosing a foam pillow, you better go for the high density foam because it will have more support to our body.
Pros And Cons Of Foam
PROS
Foam is popular, soft and cheap.
There are different types of foam density’s pillow that you can choose from
Cons
Old foam pillows will accumulate a lot of bacteria, dust-mite, mold, mildew and it will pose issues to our health.
Especially, you will need to replace foam pillows or foam mattress more often, because it is not very durable.
Latex
Latex is natural rubber that is processed to become an expensive filling substance for mattress and pillow. Among foam, memory foam and latex, latex pillow is perhaps the firmest pillow.
Recently, latex pillow becomes an alternative to memory pillow because it is more eco-friendly, high quality and cooler, despite it is more expensive than its counterparts.
Pros And Cons Of Latex
PROS
Latex pillows are mold, dust-mite resistant that is healthier to us, especially people who have to suffer from respiratory issues.
In addition, the latex pillow can create a soft feeling and luxurious touch that are adorable by many people.
However, because the latex pillow is a solid profile, you should try it before buying to choose the best height of the pillow profile for your body.
CONS
It’s pricey than foam and memory foam pillow, sometimes it will bear a strange odor, it is also more heavy than others
Cotton And Wool
Cotton and wool are natural fibers that used to be a very popular filling substance for making pillows.
They are also very eco-friendly, mold and dust-mite resistant.
Pros And Cons Of Cotton/Wool
PROS
Cotton pillows and wool pillows bring you a natural support feeling.
It’s quite firm in compared with other materials.
CONS
The firm characteristic of a cotton pillow will increase by using time, and after a while the cotton pillow will lose the ability to cushion and protect our body.
Down/ Feather
Feather is another natural material that is used in pillow production without much processing.
The feather pillow is mostly recommended too because it is flexible to deliver a comfortable support to our body, yet it is firm enough at the same time.
Pros And Cons Of Down/Feather
PROS
The feather pillow has natural molding features; it’s affordable and have above-average longevity.
CONS
Noise and odor is sometimes associated with down/feather pillows.
Therefore, it is highly recommend that you should try it at store at least once to see if it is ok to you.
Down is the plumage under the feathers that is often added into the feather pillow to provide extra softness.
A feather pillow is typically 95% made by geese feathers and 5% of down.
However, experts say that the 50% feather and 50% down will be the best stuffing pillow because it will work as a spring yet still very supportive.
Polyester
Polyester is a also a very universal material for making pillow.
This synthetic substance is very versatile, cheap and moldable.
Pros And Cons Of Polyester
PROS
Polyester pillow are relatively inexpensive, easy to be blend with other materials to create different level of softness and firmness.
The polyester pillows are lightweight, easy to be clean with washing machine and dry super fast.
CONS
The lifespan of this type of pillow is short (usually under 2 years) and it can goes clump, losing its original shape after a while.
Apart from the above mentioned materials, sometimes you will find micro bead, water or buckwheat are also used for pillow stuffing, but they are noisy during body shifting, therefore, unless you have a particular preference, these materials are not the norm for a stomach sleeper to rest the whole night.
The Pillow Design
Stomach sleeper often needs a low profile pillow to ensure their correct spinal alignment during the night. Therefore, a low-profile pillow will be a good choice.
Depending on the materials, the pillow profile can be just as slim as it is visually seen, but sometimes the pillow looks very thick but when using, the profile is just as above the mattress a few inches (down/feather pillow for instance).
Orthopedic pillow are those with special designs that can alleviate the body pain.
Despite little studies to prove the effectiveness of orthopedic pillows, real users often feel healthier when sleeping on them.
Therefore, if you are affordable, an orthopedic pillow will be the right thing you need on your bed.
Pillow Care Conditions