This pillow DOES NOT self-inflate! It came as flat as a pancake, as expected. I turned the nozzle, per the instructions, and .......nothing. There is NO special valve or mechanism of any kind that would indicate that air is pulled in to inflate it, so I have to wonder if some of these positive reviews are fake. Just like any other blow-up pillow, float, etc., you NEED to blow air into it to inflate it. I returned it because it's too small and provides hardly any lumbar support. In my opinion, this is a $15 pillow, max.