It can be difficult to get enough sleep with all of the changes that your body and mind go through when you’re pregnant. Added to that, you are also more tired than usual. Sleep is a high priority when you’re pregnant, especially since you know that it will be even harder to come by once a newborn comes into the mix.
I remember a huge problem was getting comfortable as my belly got bigger, and I had to sleep exclusively on my side. Never mind that the kicks tended to come at night as well. This is when a pregnancy pillow can come in super handy. I even got so used to mine that I use it even when I’m not pregnant just because I’m more comfortable. There are many choices out there, but we have rounded up the best of the best to help get you through those difficult nights.
How to Choose a Pregnancy Pillow
Okay, so you know you could probably use a good pillow. But how do you choose? Here are some important things to consider when choosing a pregnancy pillow:
Shape
Pregnancy pillows come in a variety of shapes. Depending on your specific aches and pains, one shape may suit you better than others. There are two main categories that pregnancy pillows come in: body pillows and smaller support pillows. Both C- and U-shaped body pillows support the neck, head, knees, and abdomen. These are pretty bulky, but they can help make sleeping easier when you’re pregnant. The smaller support pillows target specific areas.
Material
What the pillow is made out of will affect its characteristics such as breathability, durability, firmness, and support. Pregnancy pillows commonly come in polyester-based fabrics. These are usually pretty durable and affordable. If you are looking for something with firmer support and pressure relief, foam is a great option.
Sleeping Position
When you are pregnant, it is recommended that you sleep on your left side because it causes the least amount of strain on your body. Because of this, many pregnancy pillows are designed to make this position as comfortable as possible.
Support
The shape of the pillow will affect the amount of support that it provides. Wedges may be firmer but only support one area. If you look at full-body pillows, they will be able to support multiple parts of your body. Oversized ones will cradle you from head to toe in support, though these are pretty large.
Pressure Relief
When you have chronic aches and pains from pregnancy, pressure relief provided by a pillow can help a great deal. How well the pillow molds to your body and alleviates pressure points should be considered when shopping.
Heat Retention
To sleep well, you need to be at the correct body temperature. This ideal temperature can be difficult to achieve while pregnant because we often get overheated. I tend to run hot anyway, so a pillow that doesn’t retain heat is critical for me. Certain materials can help. Polyester-based pillows are more breathable and will help keep you cooler, while memory foam tends to trap in heat.
Loft
How thick your pillow is will also affect your comfort. If you have broader shoulders, you may need a thicker pillow to fill the space between your head and neck and the mattress. You may want a thinner model if you have more narrow shoulders, so your head isn’t pushed up too high.
Price
Pregnancy pillows tend to be expensive, but you need to keep quality in mind. A good night’s sleep can be worth its weight in gold. There are many options under $50 if you are on a smaller budget and want to consider a wedge instead of a full-body pillow.
The Best Pregnancy Pillows
Now that you know what you’re looking for in a pillow check out our favorite options for every kind of pregnant mama:
Best U-shaped Pillows
BODY NEST Cooling Pregnancy Pillow
This U-shaped pregnancy pillow is a great choice that provides back, side, and leg support. The fabric is soft and breathable, which will help keep you cool at night, which we all know is a problem for us pregnant ladies! The cover is reversible and made from cool jersey cotton. You can also bend this pillow any way you like to help you get as comfortable as possible.
Queen Rose Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow
This one is another excellent option for a u-shaped pregnancy pillow. It is great for women who usually sleep on their back or stomach. The dense but soft filling will maintain its fluffiness even after extended use. It is also cooler than some of its counterparts. The cover is made from bamboo, which enhances airflow to keep you cool at night. It even has a detachable full-body pillow that you can use for additional head and leg support.
Meiz U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
This pregnancy pillow also boasts a soft and cooling body pillow cover. It also supports so much of your body, including your sides, back, calves, knees, hips, feet, and growing baby bump. This pillow is also super lightweight at just three pounds, so it is easy for you to move around. The material is comfy with a polyester fill, so it is easy to manipulate to your liking.
Moonlight Slumber Comfort U Total Support Body Pillow
While not as light as the Meiz pillow, this Moonlight Slumber pillow is also lightweight at ten pounds and offers significant benefits for those looking for pregnancy pillows. The synthetic down that it is made with is soft and holds its shape even after several washes. Even though it is not officially a chiropractic pregnancy pillow, chiropractors have recommended it to help alleviate back, pelvic, and round ligament pain.
Best C-shaped Pillows
PharMeDoc Full Body C-Shaped Pillow
The C-shaped pregnancy pillow from PharMeDoc is an excellent and affordable choice. While it can get a bit lumpy after extended use, it curves nicely around your body to support both the upper and lower body and wraps around you as well. This is a good choice for the price if you are looking for something affordable that still provides ample support.
1 Middle One Pregnancy Pillow, C-Shaped Full Body Pillow
This one is another excellent budget-friendly C-shaped pillow for you to consider. It is supportive and comes with a velvety-soft cover. While you think that velvet may be warm, this one has hundreds of air vents to increase circulation. The cover is machine-washable, and the pillow has a supportive polyester fill.
Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow
This C-shaped pillow is another solid choice. It has a firm polyester fiberfill but contours to the body. Some other pregnancy pillows can be overstuffed, but this one, you can slide under your belly. It also claims that it can help with heartburn, so it is worth a shot if you have that problem. The one drawback is that the cover material is scratchy and made from a polyester blend, but you can spring for a cotton replacement cover.
Boppy Slipcovered Total Body Pregnancy Pillow
What is great about this pillow from Boppy is that it is so soft that you can fold it into any position you need. You will not have to fight with this pillow to get it where you want it. One side is for the neck and head, while the other you can tuck between your legs to help realign your hips. I noticed that I like to sleep with a pillow between my knees even when I’m not pregnant because it is so much more comfortable, so this pillow can be used even after pregnancy! It also has a cotton slipcover, which makes it even more comfortable.
Insen C-shaped Pregnancy Body Pillow
This great pregnancy pillow has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. It is even a hit with people who aren’t pregnant! It has a cool jersey cover to help get through the night without overheating. Not only does it help with pregnancy-related ailments, but it also has reviews that it helped with inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia. You can use it while lying down or fold in the ends for additional back support. The polyfill is both adjustable and breathable for extra comfort.
Best Wedge Pillows
Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Support Pillow
If you are looking for a small wedge pillow, this one from Boppy is the best choice. While it is small, that is pretty much what you’re looking for in this type of pregnancy pillow. It will take up very little space in your bed, which makes it ideal for moving it around to where you need it most. You could use it for your growing belly, your back, or anywhere else you like. It is also great for traveling.
Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge
Another option for a wedge pillow comes from Hiccapop. It is similar to the Boppy but has an additional perk in that it is double-sided. One side offers a firmer option, while the other side is softer. This feature alone makes this an excellent wedge pillow.
Best Body Pillow (for non-pregnant people too!)
Room Essentials Body Pillow
If you are looking for an affordable pillow that gives extra comfort at a lower price, consider a body pillow. Although it won’t contour your body, it can still help make your back, legs, and belly more comfortable. This pillow is 52 inches long. The other great thing about a generic body pillow is that you can get two of them and create your own U-shaped pillow for a fraction of the cost.
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Pregnancy Pillow by Cozy Bump
So this pillow looks crazy and is entirely different from other styles of pregnancy pillows. I was a stomach sleeper before I got pregnant with my first, so I would have been really interested in this at that time had I known it was a thing! It allows you to sleep face down because it has a hole for your belly and breasts. It also decompresses your lower back, enabling you to breathe easier, relaxes your upper back muscles, and encourages the baby to flip anterior, which is the best birthing position. Also, this pillow is filled with air, so you can adjust this whenever you need to.
Note: We don’t recommend putting this Cozy Bump in bed, but rather on the floor. Most women use this for naps rather than a whole night’s sleep.
Best for Super Hot Sleepers
Cooling Memory Foam Full Body Pillow
I tend to run hot even when I’m not pregnant, so this cooling memory foam pillow looks super comfortable. While not a pregnancy pillow, it is still a full-body pillow that you can use for both your head and legs by forming it to your side. It has gel panels on one side to help keep you cool, along with memory foam for firm support. Just be careful that the cooling gel is not touching your belly directly and that you have pajamas or a nightgown covering your growing bump.
When it comes to pregnancy, you want to be as comfortable as possible. The right pillow can go a long way in ensuring you get the sleep you so desperately need. Hopefully, one of these pregnancy pillows will give you the relief you need for your best night’s sleep!
