CPAP Pillow Guide: How to Sleep on Your Side With a CPAP Mask
If you use CPAP, you probably know the problem: you roll onto your side, the pillow pushes against the mask, the seal breaks and air starts leaking. You wake up, readjust, and try again. A pillow designed around the mask can make those nights much easier.
Why side sleeping is hard with a CPAP mask
- A normal pillow presses into the side of the mask and shifts it.
- The hose gets pulled or trapped under your head or shoulder.
- You end up staying on your back all night, even if you sleep better on your side.
What a CPAP pillow does differently
A CPAP pillow has cut-outs on the sides. When you turn your head, the mask sits in the cut-out space instead of being pushed by the pillow, so the seal is more likely to stay put and nothing presses into your face. A good one also supports your neck properly, like any ergonomic pillow.
What to look for in a CPAP pillow
- Cut-outs on both sides, so you can turn either way.
- A height that keeps your neck in line when you lie on your side.
- Memory foam that holds its shape, so the cut-outs stay where they need to be all night.
- A washable cover.
- Room for the hose to move without getting caught.
Tips for side sleeping with CPAP
- Route the hose above your head, for example over the headboard, so it is not pulled when you turn.
- Check the mask fit lying on your side, not only sitting up.
- Give yourself a few nights to get used to a new pillow.
The Airway Support CPAP pillow has side cut-outs for your mask and hose and comes with a 30-night trial and free shipping across Australia on orders over A$75. You can find it with our other breathing products in breathe easier at night.
Always follow the advice of your doctor or sleep specialist about your CPAP therapy. This pillow is a comfort product, not a medical device.