Imagine trying to get a good night’s sleep or relaxation after a meal only to be hit by a very uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. The heartburn is usually a symptom of acid reflux, and managing it requires the use of a wedge pillow.
However, acquiring the best wedge pillow for acid reflux may often be a little tricky since there are various models currently in the market to choose from.
Henceforth, we made the purchase process much simpler by listing 6 top-rated wedge pillows for reflux, providing you with information regarding acid reflux, wedge pillow features, and how to use them.
Table of Contents
6 Best Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux On the Market of 2021
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux Adults?
Before committing to one specific type of a wedge pillow, you should consider the following factors as they will ensure that you have the best and most suitable wedge pillow that will help you against the acid reflux and associated symptoms.
Sleeping Position
Different individuals usually have different sleeping positions, and all these are fitting with different wedge pillows.
For instance, some individuals are side sleepers, and they thus typically need a wedge pillow of medium firmness with built-in headrest for maximum comfort during sleep.
On the other hand, back sleepers should consider low inclining wedge pillows of at least 8 inches to minimize and prevent possible back pain.
Stomach sleepers further need a low inclination and a soft pillow to also prevent neck arching and pain. Generally, the wedge pillow for GERD isn’t suitable for them.
However, combination sleepers need to consider all the above features while also looking for the overall weight of the pillows carefully due to the constant turning and tossing. Therefore you should first consider the type of sleeper you are before purchasing a wedge pillow.
Best for Side Sleepers – Relax Home Life Wedge Pillow With Bamboo Cover
Material
The manufacturing material of a wedge pillow also plays a huge role in their efficiency during use.
Thus, some of the best wedge pillows are always made using a variety of foam types such as memory foam, polyurethane foam, and latex foam.
You may also further check whether they are single piece foam or different layers inside to affect the firm feel to determine the degree of firmness you wish on your pillow.
The pillow covers are also usually made with breathable or hypoallergenic materials to offset the heat retention that could be caused by the foam fillings. Thus, you should consider pillow covers made from materials such as bamboo, Tencel, or microfiber.
Best with Memory Foam – FitPlus Bed Wedge Pillow with Removable Cover
Shape
Because of their function and how they work, most of the wedge pillows are always triangular in shape.
However, some models usually have variations in the form of flat or contoured surfaces for increased ergonomics and comfort during the use of the wedge pillow.
Therefore, when choosing, you should look for a pillow with a certain triangular shape to provide you with the proper inclination. For maximal comfort, you may consider some with the contours.
Size
Wedge pillows usually come in varying size measurements.
Therefore choosing the most preferential one requires that you consider your condition and the size of your bed, among other factors.
For instance, you should get a wedge pillow large enough to accommodate your head, neck, shoulders, and upper torso while at the same time able to fit your mattress size properly.
The height should also be comfortable for the neck and the back to prevent any possible back pain development. Therefore, you should consider the best possible length, width, and height that will prevent acid reflux while also being comfortable.
However, you may also choose the standard size, which is always 20 inches long and 20 inches wide.
Best Extra Large – NEPPT Therapeutic Foam Incline Wedge Pillow
Inclination
The inclination is also vital when choosing a wedge pillow as they also determine the level of efficiency and comfort during use.
Too low inclination would not be effective while too high inclination may be uncomfortable. Therefore, choosing the standard inclination of seven inches, or 30 degrees is always recommended; however, you may look for a more suitable model with inclinations up to even 12 inches or 30 to 45 degrees depending on the level of comfort and efficiency achieved during use.
Firmness
Different wedge pillow models also usually come with different firmness levels.
This gives you the leeway to choose the level of firmness you would need in your wedge pillow.
This is because too much firmness makes the wedge pillows concrete hard and uncomfortable, while too soft pillows also may be inconvenient and inefficient for managing acid reflux.
Medium-firm pillows are always recommended; however, you may always choose some wedge pillows designed with varying firmness settings on different sides. They allow users to rotate the pillows adjusting the feel to the most comfortable.
How to Choose A Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux Baby?
Some of the characteristics to look for in an acid reflux pillow for baby include:
Pillow Size
You should consider large wedge pillows if you want your child to be comfortable. That can help the baby sleep on a slight incline to keep her spine properly level at night.
The wedge pillow’s height should be at least 32 inches to fully support the head, shoulders, and chest, as just raising the head can make symptoms worse.
Which Material Is Best?
For children who have a particularly sensitive immune system, you should have the option of purchasing an allergy protective cover or pillowcase to use with the wedge of the pad to prevent infection.
Baby Acid Reflux Wedge Pillows can suit everyone’s taste, but give off extra warmth.
Polyester pillows are cheap and easy to wash.
Latex pillows adjust to the shape and weight of the head. Moths do not nest in this material.
You can also choose memory foam ones for added comfort. You may also find these pillows beneficial if you change positions frequently while sleeping.
Due to their padding design, these pillows can help hug your baby’s body. It will follow the contours of your kid’s body and help relieve all pressure points.
Consider your sleeping position
The selection of wedge pillows for babies with acid reflux depends on the preferred sleeping position.
If your baby sleeps on her back, choose a thin pillow to make sure the spine is the same angled shape it was when she was standing, or choose a cervical pillow to support the neck and head.
If your child sleeps on her shoulders, she will need a thick neck pillow to support the spinal axis.
For different positions during the night, a wedge pillow with great flexibility would be the right choice. Pillows with natural fillings are flexible enough to adapt to different situations.
Portability
Make sure it folds up easily when not in use to take it with you when you travel.
What Is the Best Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux Baby?
We recommend the OCCObaby Universal bassinet wedge as the best wedge pillow for acid reflux baby. Here is why.
Product features
- Bassinet size – 14.5 to 17 inches wide
- High-density firm foam
- 12-degree incline
- Waterproof inner cover
- Removable hypoallergenic cotton cover
- Non-slip base
- BPA and harsh chemical-free
Acid reflux is a very uncomfortable condition for babies. One of the best ways to reduce it is by elevating the baby’s torso and head. The OCCObaby universal bassinet wedge provides an easy and convenient way to do it with the 12-degree incline.
What makes it unique from other products is the use of firm foam. Your baby gets excellent support, and you get long-term usage out of it because it does not lose shape.
Don’t worry about dealing with allergies because the cotton cover is hypoallergenic. Keeping it clean is easy, simply remove the cover and throw it into the washing machine.
No matter how much the baby moves around, the non-slip base keeps it from shifting. If you need to travel, simply fold it up and packet with the rest of the items.
Pros
- The pricing is friendly coming in at under $30
- Hypoallergenic and contains no harmful compounds
- The incline is excellent for babies who suffer from acid reflux
Cons
- Not for adults
Top 6 Best Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux Reviews
The following provides 6 best wedge pillows in the market worth checking out and purchasing to help with acid reflux.
#1. Best Rated – InteVision Extra Large Bed Wedge Pillow and Headrest Pillow Combo
Pros
- Multifunctional
- High-quality manufacture materials
- Adequately sized
- Helps in managing acid reflux
Cons
- Not recommended for stomach sleepers due to the high elevation
This is the best rated of the wedge pillows in the market.
This wedge pillow is designed with exemplary features to guarantee smooth relaxation and sleep.
Some of the features include the incorporation of two foam layers with an adjustable headrest. The layers are arranged in that the top is 2-inch thick memory foam, and the base is composed of firm foam.
The headrest is also made of memory foam. This makes the entire pillow very comfortable and efficiently supportive of the upper torso, neck, and head.
This model of wedge pillow is also extra-large size with large width of about 30.5 inches capable of properly accommodating the chest and both arms comfortably.
The length is also extensive, allowing for a great deal of flexibility for adjusting body positions to the most comfortable.
Additionally, this version also comes with a silky smooth, 400 thread count and 100% Egyptian cotton cover, which is removable and machine washable for comfort and convenience during use.
This pillow is recommended for a variety of functions like assisting patients with allergies, acid refluxes, and snoring, post-surgery rest, among others.
#2. Best Cooling – Relax Home Life Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow with Bamboo Cover
Pros
- Straightforward set up and use
- High-quality design
- Stylish and luxurious
- Soft and comfortable
Cons
- Occasional packaging problems
This is another wedge pillow ranked among the best in the market.
These models are always designed with great consideration to side sleepers’ reviews and feedback, resulting in a satisfactory pillow for you.
Some of the features include the double foam layer filling. The top layer is made from 1.5 inches of memory foam, while the firm base is made from polyurethane foam. These provide comfort during sleeping.
The pillow is covered by cool bamboo viscose, which is soft, luxurious, and breathable, keeping your body cool and comfortable throughout the night. This premium cover is further hypo-allergic, dust mite resistant, and machine washable, further making it convenient for wide use.
The pillow’s elevation level is also about 7.5 inches, making it suitable for side sleepers. The size is wide enough with at least a width of 25 inches allowing for the accommodation of chest and hands.
The wedge pillows also have a guaranteed 100 % lifetime warranty for any damages incurred.
#3. Best with Memory Foam – FitPlus Multi Purpose Wedge Shaped Pillow for Healthy Sleeping
Pros
- High-quality product
- Ergonomic design
- Perfectly comfortable inclination
Cons
- Occasional packaging complications
The FitPlus premium wedge pillow is also quite popular among many wedge pillow users.
It has often received abundant positive reviews owing to the quality sleeping it has helped some individuals achieve.
Some of the features include the double foam layer with the upper portion consisting of a 2-inch memory foam resting on top of premium-grade polyurethane foam at the base. This provides for comfortable and therapeutic support for the shoulders, head, neck, and chest.
These high-quality memory foam coupled with the wedge pillow design at an elevation of 7.5 inches further makes it ergonomic to the user’s body improving sleep posture hence preventing orthopedic complications.
The pillow is also covered with a soft and breathable cover for managing temperatures as you sleep. These covers are also removable and easily washable in machines making them greatly convenient.
#4. Best Medical – DMI Wedge Pillow Neck, Head and Back Support for Acid Reflux
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- High-quality manufacture
- Aesthetic and stylish
Cons
- A little hard
This brand of wedge pillows also ranks among the best in the market.
This is attributed to the unique features in the manufacture and design of these pillows.
Some of the features include a high-density foam filling, which makes the pillow firm enough to maintain a certain level of elevation and structure while also soft enough to ergonomically conform to body contours for exemplary support and comfort.
The pillow is designed to elevate the upper body, specifically the head, to assist in various health complications. Similarly, it can also be used to support the foot and leg relieving discomfort from back and knee pain, varicose veins, among other health problems.
These wedge pillows are also dual-sided with the flat side providing firmer support and the convoluted side delivering soft support with increased airflow.
The wedge pillow also comes with a removable and machine washable premium cover made with ultra-soft brushed microfiber for ultra-comfort.
The covers are also spill-resistant due to the treatment with Nanotex. This, coupled with hypoallergenic characteristics, makes them very convenient.
#5. Best for Pregnancy – NEPPT Body Support Pillow for Comfortable Night Sleep
Pros
- High-quality manufacture materials
- Comfortable 30 degrees elevation angle
- Ergonomic to certain body contours
Cons
- Not too large
This is a high-quality wedge pillow with specially incorporated features to ensure that the users receive maximal comfort and health benefits associated.
It is usually popular among pregnant mothers. Some of the features include the R shape design supportive of the human somatotype theory.
The pillow can thus be used in various positions by numerous individuals, for instance, to improve blood circulation by elevating the leg or supporting a pregnant woman’s belly for sound sleep.
Finally, it can also relax your neck preventing acid reflux and poor blood circulation. The pillow filling of high-density sponge foam is firm enough to support immense pressure without deforming.
The pillow also comes with a removable and machine washable cover made from high-quality pure cotton making it further soft and breathable.
#6. Best with 30 Degree – Xtreme Bed Wedge Pillow with High Hypoallergenic Breathable Cover
Pros
- Fancy and stylish design
- Versatile functionality
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- None
Xtreme comforts are always dedicated to providing the customer with products that will guarantee relief and improved health. That is why this product of theirs is among the best in the market.
Some of its features include the fact that these pillows are filled with two layers of deluxe body active memory foam that conform to individual body shape while providing comfort and support, making them ergonomic.
The pillow’s premium quality hypoallergenic covers are manufactured from rayon bamboo, making them super soft and comfortable, providing for sufficient air circulation and breathability for cool sleeping. They are also removable and easily washable for added convenience.
The wedge pillow is also backed with a 100% lifetime warranty for added assurance on the quality of the product to customers.
How Does Wedge Pillow Help People With Acid Reflux?
Wedge pillows are designed to counteract the effects of acid reflux by preventing the backward movement of stomach acid through the esophagus towards the mouth.
So, when an individual is in a horizontal position, lying down or bending down, the stomach acid traveling to your esophagus is usually made easier through gravitational force, thus promoting the acid reflux condition.
However, when an individual uses a wedge pillow, they elevate the head, shoulders, and torso.
This puts the stomach in a low position and the esophagus in a rising inclination making it difficult for stomach acid to creep back up through the esophagus to result in acid reflux.
How Do You Use a Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux?
There are numerous uses for a wedge pillow. However, for acid reflux management, you may apply the gentle slope positioning for slight elevations during sleep.
Using a wedge pillow is quite simple, as you would have already imagined since it follows the usage principles of a normal pillow. All you need to do is:
- Unpack the wedge pillow after shipment
- Position it on a flat surface, preferably the mattress on your bed.
During positioning, the wedge pillow should be in such a way that it inclines towards the area you always place your head while sleeping. Such that, when you lie on it, a portion of your back all the way to the head will be slowly rising to give you an elevated positioning, thus preventing acid reflux.
Some people also place the wedge pillow under the mattress, thus elevating the mattress and the upper half of your body preventing acid reflux.
FAQs about the Best Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux
1. How High Should You Elevate Your Head for Acid Reflux?
The level of head elevation is crucial for consideration as it will determine whether the wedge pillow actually prevents the reflux of stomach acid or only makes your neck pain.
Thus, the inclination should be average or at least close to the average inclination, which is always comfortable for most users.
This is because too low inclination will not stop acid reflux, whereas too high inclination of the head will result in neck and back pains, causing further discomfort.
The average head elevation should always be at least 7 inches or an angle of about 30 degrees. These inclination levels will guarantee the prevention of acid reflux during sleep.
The elevations can also be increased to even 12 inches or 45 degrees, which will still prevent acid reflux.
However, these high elevations might be inconvenient for some individuals. Thus, any elevation in this range will always prevent acid reflux.
Best with 30 Degree – Xtreme 7″ Memory Foam Wedge Support Pillow for Acid Reflux
2. What Causes Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux simply put refers to the backward traveling of stomach acid towards the torso to the mouth through the esophagus.
This usually results in a variety of symptoms, one major and common one being heartburn. The symptoms associated with acid reflux usually get worse after eating, when lying down or bending over.
Some of the causes of acid reflux that have been documented over the years include:
- Eating of certain acid triggering foods such as coffee, alcohol, fatty or spicy foods, among others.
- Overweight
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Some prescription medications like anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Hiatus hernia
- Wearing tight clothing to bed
Conclusion
All the wedge pillows listed above qualify among the best as they meet the criteria for making the list.
Therefore, when looking to acquire an acid reflux wedge pillow, you should consider some of the pillows listed above since they have standard measurements with comfortable designs, making them appealing to almost everyone.
You may also take some of the extra information provided above to help you choose the best wedge pillow for elevating your upper body to manage the acid reflux condition.
Acid reflux may not be deadly, but it is dangerous and thus should be managed appropriately to prevent further possible damage to an individual’s life hence the need for a wedge pillow.
