# Why do we need pillows for sleeping?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 28, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412 "2013-10-28T03:43:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/22 "2013-11-29T08:05:57Z")
> [@Terr](#):
>
> Ancient Egyptian headrests
>
> [Virtual Egyptian Museum - The Full Collection](http://www.virtual-egyptian-museum.org/Collection/FullVisit/Collection.FullVisit-JFR.html?../Content/WOD.LL.00126.html&0)
I got a chance to try one out at a museum when I was a kid. Doubtlessly a replica, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t quite comfortable - even sans cushioning of any sort. You rest on your back and place it at the base of the skull/top of the neck.
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### Author:  [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/23 "2013-11-29T12:18:44Z")
I’ve thought of asking a similar question here . . . maybe I’ll just piggyback onto this Thread:
Why don’t infants need pillows?
How do you know when to start providing your baby with a pillow?
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/24 "2013-11-29T12:36:25Z")
> [@bienville](#):
>
> I’ve thought of asking a similar question here . . . maybe I’ll just piggyback onto this Thread:
>
> Why don’t infants need pillows?
> How do you know when to start providing your baby with a pillow?
Easy - they will ask for one.
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### Author:  [@James\_Toothpaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Toothpaste)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/25 "2013-11-29T13:35:14Z")
We need pillows for sleeping for:
A. Comfort
B. It is easier for us to sleep with a raised head, and pillows generally serve that purpose.
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### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/26 "2013-11-29T13:42:08Z")
> [@bienville](#):
>
> I’ve thought of asking a similar question here . . . maybe I’ll just piggyback onto this Thread:
>
> Why don’t infants need pillows?
> How do you know when to start providing your baby with a pillow?
Infants have straight spines, and so don’t need a curved sleeping surface to be comfortable (which is essentially what pillows and other head/neck supports provide). When they start walking upright, their spine will slowly begin to assume the normal human curvature. By the time they’re spending most of their day upright, you can offer them a pillow - some will use it and some won’t. By first or second grade (7 or 8 years old) most kids want a pillow.
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### Author:  [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/27 "2013-11-29T13:52:11Z")
> [@panache45](#):
>
> We wouldn’t need pillows if we didn’t have shoulders.
Or a head.
mmm
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### Author:  [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-pillows-for-sleeping/672412/28 "2013-11-29T15:09:29Z")
> [@Absolute](#):
>
> What did humans do before pillows? Do any other animals have similar sleeping needs?
Our cats like to sleep with their head cocked up on a ‘pillow’, not always but much of the time. Dogs will put their heads on their paws.
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