As a moderately broad shouldered guy who prefers side sleeping, I need robust pillow support.

I find that no pillow I buy, at any price, will last more than six months before its going flat every night.

Am I upset about about something that's perfectly normal here?

Like the "normal amount of toilet roll," I feel like this is one of those things that we never know what is normal for others.

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[–] 33 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Never. I have latex foam pillows that are a solid block, so there is nothing to fluff. It took me a while to get used to how firm they are, but I absolutely love them now.

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  • [–] 18 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    I use a memory foam pillow. There is nothing to fluff.

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  • [–] 11 points 8 months ago (6 children)

    have you tried buckwheat hull pillows? they're pretty firm and stay firm in my experience, and you can always take out or add more hulls for a more or less firm pillow - might be helpful?

    I sorta struggle with this because I like to sleep on my back, but I like to get sleepy on my side first, and so my pillow needs to be thinner for back sleeping, but when I'm on my side I need more neck support - so I sleep with a little extra pillow or something like a shirt, robe, etc. that I can fit under my neck on just that part of the pillow (also helpful for throwing over my face / eyes so I can sleep in when it's light in the morning).

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 8 months ago (5 children)

    Definitely worth a try. I worry they're "noisy" if I move in the night. Which I do. A lot.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    Not going to lie, it's expensive...

    https://www.pinetales.com/products/buckwheat-pillow?variant=45182891851974

    Get the "standard size" and then play with how much buckwheat is inside (there's a zipper)

    This one has a little foam pad cover, I find it works better for me since sleeping directly on a bag of buckwheat can feel a little weird.

    I fluff it up a little taller when I sleep on my side, then flatten it out to sleep on my back (I switch positions 3-4 times a night). Best pillow I ever owned.

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago

    Every night, knead it like my cat taught me.

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  • [–] 4 points 8 months ago* (3 children)

    Are you letting the sun “bake” your pillows? Lay them in front of a window or slider that gets good sun to bake them weekly, see if that helps with the fluffing.

    Also i use those square pillows.

    Pillow cube is one manufacturer.

    With that said i find i have to replace my pillows annually.

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  • [–] 4 points 8 months ago

    Wife and I have been using our Sleep Number pillows running on 6 years now. Good memory foam, doesn't need fluffing

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    I bought an Ikea firm pillow over a decade ago and it's still just as good as when I first got it. I've been meaning to replace it but they don't make them anymore.

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    Some pillows can be thrown in the dryer for 10-15 min. That can bring extra life into them.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    i have to cram it all in the pillowcase and then fold the leftover pillowcase (I have a big pillowcase and normal sized pillow) under the pillow. i usually have to redo it once or twice bc I toss and turn a lot.

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago

    I’ll add one more pillow recommendation in case it helps you out. I’m a side/back sleeper with lots of pain, and finding the “perfect pillow” was a journey of many annoying years. But! In desperation I tried a water pillow - part memory foam on top a large water bladder that you can fill/adjust to your specifications. The water keeps the pillow firm (or not, depending on how much you add in there). It seals well so you don’t hear sloshing or anything like that at night. And the water helps keep the pillow cooler than usual through the night. I love this stupid pillows now. My partner uses one too, and he’s a huge and heavy guy who rolls around a lot and sleeps in any and all positions. He also loves these pillows! We’ve replaced mine once in about six years, and not needed to replaced his yet.

    https://www.mediflow.ca/

    Good luck on your pillow search… persist and spend more than you think you should. Sleep is so important, it’s worth the effort to find the “right” pillow.

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago

    that's TV bs.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    Never. It's Temper-pedic foam.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 child)

    Check out the natural latex/wool pillows from Obasan. Love ours. They are quite heavy/firm..

    https://obasan.ca/collections/pillows

    We also have their wool duvet and love it, and prefer it much more than down.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    I can't even getmy mouth around them.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago* (1 child)

    What? I like... use pillows. They get old. Sometimes they get gross. Sometimes they get thrown away. Sometimes I buy a new pillow. I'm supposed to be 'fluffing' them? Seems like extra work. Sounds like you work for your pillow. Your pillow should work for you.

    Takes like, 2-5 years not 6 months. Buy from Costco? IDK.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    I fluff mine every night, it’s part of the bedtime routine. Am I not supposed to be doing that? I like my pillows squishy, down, and always sleep with two. I usually sleep with flannel except like three months in summer when I switch to linen.

    I used to sleep on my side but I tend to fall asleep better on my back now. With a squishy pillow it curves up around my head and supports it to either side.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    Every night. It's a feather pillow, I toss it in the air and let it fall on the bed a few times. I think I learned that from watching Downton Abbey.

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago

    im 60, i have never fluffed a pillow, my pillows last decades.

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago (2 children)

    zibroges Goose Feather Pillow... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPHFC3ND

    I'm a side sleeper, and a big guy. I got these in May, and they are STILL as fluffy as when I got them. I've gone through so many pillows and they've all done exactly what you describe, but these are SOOOO comfortable.

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