The right elevation for nighttime reflux is less about pillow count and more about angle and support — too little elevation doesn't help, and elevation in the wrong place (just the head, bending the neck) can work against you.
The general target
Most recommendations aim for raising the upper body six to eight inches above flat, achieved by raising the head of the bed frame rather than stacking regular pillows. This keeps the whole torso at a gentle, consistent incline rather than bending sharply at the neck or waist.
If a wedge is more practical than raising the bed
A foam wedge pillow designed for reflux, which supports the back and shoulders in addition to the head, is the better middle option compared to stacking two or three regular pillows, which tend to compress the neck and can increase abdominal pressure instead of reducing it.
Signs your current setup isn't working
Waking up with a sour taste, throat burning, or a hoarse voice most mornings despite using pillows suggests the elevation isn't sufficient or is positioned wrong — that's a signal to try raising the bed frame itself rather than adding another regular pillow.
