subject: Body Pillow - Best New Pillow Design For Sleeping Well [print this page] Are you wondering what a body pillow is to start with? These are long pillows, a bit like a bolster pillow, but instead of being used across the bed they are used in line with the body, but still support the head as well.
If you have traveled in the East Asian countries you may well have come across them, where their native names often translate as hugging pillow. In the West they also go under a number of names related to their primary use, versions commonly found are pregnancy or maternity pillows, back and belly pillows - also normally used for pregnant women, side sleeper pillows, boyfriend or husband pillows.
The boyfriend pillow / husband pillow is shaped so that it has two arm like projections and can either be used as a bed rest to lie back against or as a comforter to be hugged when laying down in bed or on the sofa.
Body pillow design has really just two components, the shape and their filling, but the variations of just those two factors have resulted in an amazingly diverse collection of pillows.
Where body pillows have really increased in popularity is for use during pregnancy, the difficulty of getting comfortable to relax or sleep in the third trimester can be a real problem. The use of a single purpose designed pregnancy pillow is a whole lot easier than trying to arrange 4 or 5 pillows to achieve the same effect. Some pregnancy pillows are also designed so they can be used as a nursing pillow by giving the mother and baby support, it makes for a more comfortable and relaxed bonding experience.
The other area where body pillows are increasing in popularity is for people who suffer from back problems or joint pain where arms, hips, legs and knees are provided with extra support when sleeping on your side.
Just as with other pillows and cushions you can get covers or cases that can be more easily washed than the pillows themselves, although most body pillows are made of materials that can be washed with some restrictions. Being able to change the pillow case means that you can have fabrics that suit your home, whether it is in the bedroom or on the sofa.
The filling of body pillows is just like that of other pillows with a range of man-made fibers or natural products such as down and feathers. For those who suffer from allergies buy from a range of hypoallergenic body pillows and pillowcases. Prices are dependent on both design and filling material.
