How to Use Your Papaya Pillow
Your Papaya Pillow finally arrived! Here are some instructions and tips that will help you get the most out of it.
We highly recommend you watch this video. It explains everything you need to know, including simple fixes for common problems and alternative use cases:
Unpacking
Your pillow arrives vacuum-packed to protect it during shipping.
Remove it from the packaging and place it somewhere it can expand. The memory foam needs 24 hours to fully regain its shape before you use it.
You may notice a very slight scent from the new foam. This is normal and will disappear within a few hours as the pillow breathes.
After 24 hours, your Papaya Pillow is ready to transform your sleep.
How to Position Your Papaya Pillow
The Papaya Pillow goes under your torso, not under your head.
When you lie on your side, position the Papaya Pillow so it supports you from your ribs down to your hips. Your shoulder should rest in the gap created between the Papaya Pillow and your head pillow - not on top of the pillow itself.
You can adjust the size of the gap by moving the Papaya Pillow up or down on the mattress. Find what feels most comfortable for your body.
If your neck feels misaligned or your head pillow seems too low, you'll need to adjust your head pillow height.
Finding a Comfortable Position for Your Bottom Arm
There are many ways you can place your bottom arm. It all comes down to personal preference, but here are some suggestions:
Extend your arm away from you, in line with the direction of the "shoulder gap". The further you scoot to the edge in front of you, the more you can slightly change the angle of your extended arm to slowly shift towards your feet.
You can also bend your elbow, bringing your hand closer to your head. Resting your hand on top of your head pillow brings your shoulder to a relatively neutral position.
If you scoot closer to the edge of the Papaya Pillow behind you, more angles for your shoulder become available.
In case you use two head pillows, you can also place your hand between them.
Depending on the height of your head pillow setup, you may be able to lean most of your forearm against its edge. The resulting shoulder position is close to neutral.
Keep experimenting until you find a position that feels most comfortable for your shoulder and arm.
Adjusting Your Head Pillow Height
The Papaya Pillow relieves shoulder pressure by supporting your torso. As a result, your whole upper body – including your head – is now higher off the mattress than before.
You might feel like your head pillow is not high enough anymore. Don't worry! This is actually a good sign - it means the pillow is doing its job of lifting your torso. There are some simple adjustments you can make to increase the height of your head pillow and align your neck.
Luckily, most of us have many unused pillows around the house. Here are some possible solutions:
- Maybe that one pillow that used to be too thick is now exactly what you need.
- You can stack two pillows on top of each other.
- A small throw pillow added to the mix might give you just the right height.
- By folding a large towel and placing it underneath your pillow, you have created your own modular head pillow. Once you've found the right height, you can even add it inside your pillow case to hold it in place and have it blend in with the rest of your bedding.
- If none of these tips work for you, getting a higher head pillow may be the best solution. It is an extra investment, but quality sleep is priceless.
Changing Positions During the Night
The Papaya Pillow is primarily designed for side sleeping. To switch from one side to the other, sit up slightly to keep your body centered on the pillow.
If you roll onto your back during the night, it's recommended to move the pillow aside.
Simply push the pillow out of the way when you change positions. When you roll onto your side again, pull it back under your torso.
If you don't have enough extra space in bed, you can place it next to it. Placing it on its side edge doesn't require a lot of space and you can easily grab it to pull it back into your bed.
This might feel like extra effort at first. Most people find it becomes automatic within a few nights - your body learns the new routine quickly.
Alternatively, you can use the Papaya Pillow as a wedge for sleeping on your back on an incline: Push your Papaya Pillow all the way to the headrest and remove your head pillow. Then place your head and back on the Papaya Pillow. For more head elevation, simply add your head pillow on top.
Many people also find the Papaya Pillow comfortable for stomach sleeping. Feel free to experiment and see what works for you.
Troubleshooting – Fixing Problems That May Cause Discomfort
Supporting Your Hip
Are you experiencing discomfort in your hip or lower back?
Because your hips are elevated, placing your top leg on the mattress may cause your hip to rotate. If that feels uncomfortable for your hip or your lower back, we recommend adding some support.
The simple fix is putting a pillow between your knees. It supports your upper hip and ensures your lower and upper body stay aligned.
Supporting Your Top Arm and Shoulder
Are you experiencing discomfort in your upper shoulder or back? Here's what's likely happening: Because your body is elevated, your upper arm and shoulder are further away from the mattress. That's why your top arm may feel like it's falling forward with nothing to rest on. This can cause discomfort in your upper shoulder or back.
The key to this problem is keeping your upper shoulder aligned with the rest of your body.
The simplest way is to position your arm alongside your body, with your hand resting on your hip or thigh. You can also place your hand next to your body on the Papaya Pillow or on your head pillow.
If those positions feel unnatural to you, try this simple trick: Place a pillow between your upper arm and your body. Think about holding it in your armpit.
The pillow stays in place automatically and supports your top arm and shoulder, preventing them from falling forward. This is the simplest, most effective solution.
Here are some other options you can try:
- Hug a large pillow against your belly and chest.
- Place a pillow between your knees. This is commonly used for hip alignment, but it also helps stabilize your upper body and can prevent your top shoulder from rolling forward.
- Combine upper and lower body support by placing a pillow between your knees and in your armpit. Or hug a long pillow in front of you with your arms and legs.
Alternative Ways to Use Your Papaya Pillow
Back Wedge / Incline Pillow
As we already mentioned, you can use the Papaya Pillow as a wedge to sleep on your back in a more upright position. This may be useful for people suffering from acid reflux, snoring, or mild positional sleep apnea.
For a mild incline, position your shoulders in the valley of the pillow's contour. If you prefer a steeper incline with a higher head position, slide up a little bit and stack your head pillow on top of it.
The Papaya Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
You may find that it is also very comfortable to use when turning onto your belly. By bringing your chest off the mattress, your head and neck can rest in a more natural position. You can also place your hands and arms inside the shoulder gap.
Use It as a Backrest to Sit Comfortably in Bed During the Day
Another way to use it is as a back rest when sitting up in bed. You can place it vertically in bed behind you with the "bottom" surface of the pillow against the bed's headboard and the curved side against your back. The thick part supports your lumbar spine, while the mid and upper back lean against the thinner part of the pillow.
It's comfortable for reading and relaxing in bed during the day or in the evening. That way it also takes very little space in your bed during the day.
Not Working For You?
Your body may need some time to fully adjust to the new sleeping position. This is completely normal – you're changing the way your body has been sleeping for years.
Don't worry, you have plenty of time. Our 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a full month to test whether the Papaya Pillow is right for you.
Something doesn't feel quite right? Just contact us and describe what you're experiencing. We can offer tips specific to your situation that might help.
If the pillow causes pain or makes your discomfort worse, stop using it.
If you've given it a fair try and it's just not the right fit, we completely understand. Contact us within 30 days after delivery to claim your money-back guarantee.