There are bed wedges for Acid Reflux for sleeping and then there are ‘Under’ mattress wedges, which make for a better sleeping experience.

There are a number of things to think about before purchasing a wedge for Acid Reflux. Are you a back sleeper, a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, a combination sleeper, and/or a tosser and turner? Let’s examine each one separately and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Bed Wedge vs. Under Mattress Wedge, for Nighttime Acid Reflux

BED WEDGE:

Back Sleeper, Pros:

1. It costs a little less.
2. A true back sleep might be comfortable, if they don’t snore.

Cons:

1. Forces a bend in the stomach, which can cause reflux when the stomach is distended or full of gas because it adds pressure upwards to the system.
2. It doesn’t allow for other sleeping positions, which will be discussed.
3. Sleeping on your back according to the book titled “Sleep Interrupted” written by Dr. Steven Park  – a Johns Hopkins educated ENT, – reduces the breathing pathway which can cause snoring. Snoring on its own can cause Nighttime Acid Reflux.
4. While a short wedge might cost less, it requires constant maintenance and replacement therefore costing you more on the long run.
5. Since a bed wedge is small and you sleep directly on it, the following scenarios will likely happen. A. You roll off the wedge. and/or B. You knock the wedge off the bed, unknowingly while sleeping. Either way, You are no longer sleeping on an incline.

Side Sleeper, Pros:

1. It costs a little less but more in the long run.
2. If someone is very flexible they might be somewhat comfortable.

Cons:

1. It would be extremely uncomfortable for most to sleep on the side with a short steep wedge, due to the angle,  therefore causing neck and hip pain.
2. While a short wedge might cost less, it requires constant maintenance and replacement. Therefore, costing more over time.
3. Since a bed wedge is small and you sleep directly on it, the following scenarios will likely happen. A. You roll off the wedge. and/or B. You knock the wedge off the bed, unknowingly while sleeping. Either way, You are no longer sleeping on an incline.

Stomach Sleeper, Pros:
None

Cons:
I can’t imagine a stomach sleeper being able to sleep at all with a short wedge.

Combination Sleeper and/or a Tosser and Turner, Pros:
When you do find a comfortable position it helps, till you change positions and are awaken by being uncomfortable.

Cons:
All of the issues listed above, in the con’s section, will apply to each position you will find yourself sleeping in.

1. On the left side will of course be extremely uncomfortable, causing you pain in the neck and hip. Would you turn over to the back will promote acid reflux due to bending at the waste. And of course you can’t sleep on your stomach.
2. and of course since you are tossing and turning, give it a half hour and the wedge is on the floor. Therefore, you are no longer sleeping on an incline.

UNDER MATTRESS WEDGE:
Since a mattress wedge lifts the entire mattress you have a gentle incline and sleep on the entire bed’s surface.

Pros:

1. It allows for all position sleepers to be comfortable and help keep Acid and stomach content down all night long.
2. It requires less maintenance then a bed wedge.
3. It lasts longer, therefore less expensive.
4. It allows the user to sleep on his or her own expensive comfortable mattress.

Conclusion:

As you can see the pros and cons are very lop-sided favoring the Mattress Wedge.

Related:
What Side To Sleep On With Acid Reflux
Product Comparison
How Reflux Guard works

Reflux Guard comes in many sizes, Twin, Double, Queen, King, cal-king, 4 and 6 Inch heights and more. See here for the different sizes and prices.