It's finally the best part of the day: bedtime. Unfortunately for you, your ever-expanding belly is preventing you from drifting off into a restful sleep.
It's recommended that pregnant people sleep on their sides — preferably their left side for optimal blood flow to both parent and child. But, between your creaky, achy knees and the sciatica pain that radiates throughout your body, finding the right, safe position for sinking into dreamland can feel nearly impossible.
That's why so many expecting parents swear by pregnancy pillows. There are numerous types of pregnancy pillows that specifically address just about every bodily ache and pain associated with carrying a tiny, but heavy human for 9 months.
Best Pregnancy Pillows
- Best for Back Sleepers: Queen Rose Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow
- Best Knee Pillow: Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Best Wrap Pillow: Leachco Snoogle Original
- Best Wedge Pillow: Boppy Pregnancy Wedge
- Best C-Shaped Pillow: Insen Pregnancy Pillow
- Best for Hot Sleepers: Cooling Body Pillow
- Best All-in-One: Boppy Pregnancy Pillow
- Best U-Shaped Pillow: Body Nest Cooling Pillow
- Best for Balanced Support: Boppy Back and Bump Pillow
- Best for Pregnancy and the Fourth Trimester: Yogibo U-Shaped Support
What to Consider
Pillows are one of those home items that often feels needlessly complicated. There are a gajillion on the market, and choosing the right one can be a real pain. Our goal is to simplify this process for you. When you're buying a pregnancy pillow, there are a few crucial factors that you'll need to consider — shape, materials, washability, and, of course, price.
- Shape: To determine the best pregnancy pillow shape for you, it's important to think about what you need to get comfortable in bed with a growing belly. A U-shaped pregnancy pillow supports your worn-out back and offers a cushioned spot for your belly to rest, relieving the pain-causing stress, while a C-shaped pillow is designed for catching some zzz’s on your side, fitting between your legs to support your back, head, and neck. The pregnancy wedge is a smaller pillow that can fit just about anywhere to offer a boost of support. You can slide it under your lower back for sciatica relief, between your knees for hip comfort, or behind your back for easier sitting.
- Materials: The fabric and inner fill of a pregnancy pillow will have a huge impact on your comfort. For example, if it's made out of a material that holds heat like memory foam, it may be great for cold sleepers, but would almost assuredly spell certain nightly doom for those who sleep hot. Also, for sniffly parents like some of us at Best Products — allergies are a big concern — you may want a down alternative or need a hypoallergenic cover, and there are fantastic options to help you get comfy.
- Washability: If you can't buy additional covers for the pillow at a reasonable cost, then you should at least be able to chuck the whole thing in the washing machine. All of the choices in this guide are either washable or have a removable, washable cover.
- Price: Pillows of any kind can get downright expensive. Depending on materials, shape, and even marketing, you could be looking at pillows that cost $100 or more. We understand that might just not be in your budget. That's why we've made sure to include pillows in this guide that are not only wallet-friendly but also wonderfully huggable.
You'll definitely get your money's worth from a maternity-pillow investment. You can also use them for breastfeeding and postpartum support, because the discomfort doesn't end once the baby has arrived, unfortunately.
Read on to learn more about the 10 best pregnancy pillows, and get ready to be as comfortable as possible until the baby arrives.
Best for Back Sleepers
Normally a back or stomach sleeper and having a hard time finding just the right spot? This is the pillow you want. This soft, U-shaped pregnancy pillow is the perfect cushion for any pregnant person, no matter which trimester you're in.
You'll love having the option of snuggling up to all-over comfort or simply hugging one leg of the pillow. The filling is super soft, yet dense, so it'll stay fluffy and firm, even after plenty of use. You can use it for sleeping, reading, watching television, and even breastfeeding.
Best Knee Pillow
Every pregnant person should have a reliable, ergonomically designed leg pillow. Next time you're on the sofa binge-watching Netflix, you'll be glad you have a pillow that makes you comfy, but doesn't take up so much space. Your body will feel more balanced and aligned when using this pillow between your knees. Plus, the memory foam in the pillow is temperature-responsive, so in the warm weather it's softer, and in the cooler weather it'll feel firm.
The pillow comes with a breathable and easy-to-clean cover, and you get all of your hard-earned money back from the brand if you don't love the pillow for any reason
Best Wrap Pillow
Now that sleeping on your stomach is off-limits, the Snoogle pregnancy pillow can support your head and belly, tucking between your legs for optimal comfort while snoozing on your side. The curvature of the pillow is a perfect match for the pregnant body, unlike other body pillows that don't take a moving belly into account. Plus, it's nice that one side of the pillow is open, so you can still stay connected to your partner (or labradoodle) when the sun goes down.
Our executive director Christine Anderson tested this pillow, and she loved it, saying that “The Snoogle isn’t just a body pillow. It’s a miracle pillow designed just for the nooks and crannies of your ever-changing pregnant body. It’s a dream — and will help you get more zzz’s.”
The washable, removable cover is light and durable, as well as being stain-resistant, so if you find yourself leaking a bit (from anywhere), you can just toss it in the laundry. It's filled with a polyfiber blend which keeps its bulk where you need without becoming hot or dense.
Best Pregnancy Wedge
Whether you want to rest your bump on it, use it to support your back, or place it between your knees, a pregnancy wedge can relieve a lot of discomfort when it’s time to call it a night. We love this one by Boppy — it’s Amazon’s Choice, too. Best when used during your third trimester, it’s designed to support a larger bump. It’s also wonderful for when you’re seated on the sofa and need something to lean that bump against to help you lighten your pelvic load. Filled with firm foam, it really keeps its shape, which is what makes it such a great wedge.
Best C-Shaped Pillow
Say hello to a full night's rest! We're obsessed with this super soft, C-shaped pregnancy pillow that feels like silk against your skin. This pillow offers enhanced support by contouring to the shape of an expecting parent's growing belly. It can be used while lying down, or the ends can be folded on top of one another for back support. If you find yourself tossing and turning when it's time to hit the sheets, this sweet pillow will help you settle in for sleep.
The microvelvet cover is a bit on the warmer side, so we suggest that if you tend to sleep hot, that you check out the first pick in this guide instead. Thankfully, the poly fill is breathable and adjustable, so you're not getting a double-dose of heat.
Best for Hot Sleepers
This memory foam-filled body pillow includes a layer of cooling gel, which is perfect for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates. Plus, the foam in this full-size pillow contours to your body, giving your bump a snug feeling that'll be so comforting later on in your pregnancy.
It's not so large that it feels like it will overwhelm you, or take up too much of your bed's precious real estate, but it's roomy enough that if you need to spread out on it, you absolutely can.
Best All-in-One
There's a stage in pregnancy in which every position feels uncomfortable. Whether you're sitting or trying to lie down comfortably, you can't seem to relax. The Boppy Pregnancy Support Pillow helps to support multiple parts of your body at once. You can use it on your side for belly and back support or up by your shoulders for neck and head comfort. You'll eventually find the perfect spot so that you can finally relax. The unique comma shape provides lighter support between the knees or under the head, while the bulk of the pillow is designed to support either your belly or your back.
As a bonus, when your child is born and in the toddler stage, this pillow will become the main peg of their pillow forts. But don't worry — the cover cleans easily, and even after much use, it's still quite comfy when you're pregnant with your next kid. As a bonus, the pillow itself is washable thanks to the poly filling.
Best U-Shaped Pillow
When you want to stay cool and breezy, but your thighs are chafing and your belly won't stop moving, you are going to love the cooling, full-body support that this U-shaped pillow provides.
Not only is the fabric soft and easy to wash, but it's also extremely breathable. You can manipulate this pillow in a million directions to find the perfect fit for your body's needs. The poly filling can even be removed in places, if you're looking for a custom fit. You could use the U section to apply pressure to your pounding vulva, and wrap the rest beneath your belly and breasts. Or you could rest your belly atop one side, rest your head at the connection, and push the rest under your aching back to get that sweet, sweet relief.
Best for Support
When you're pregnant and trying to find a good position while lying down, what you need is a little help on the sides: something to hold you up without holding you in. This adjustable pillow with a cotton-poly blend filling does that by offering equal support for your back and tummy. It can hug your body or elevate your legs — you choose! Stack the pillows for a boost of support or separate them and stay balanced in between the two.
Best for Pregnancy and the Fourth Trimester
If you're hunting for something truly malleable, look no further than this microbead-filled pillow from Yogibo. The pellets on the inside combined with the super-stretchy exterior fabric make this the ideal pillow for someone who likes versatility from their products.
And after the baby's born, this pillow doubles as a back pillow, a nursing pillow, and eventually, a toddler chair. One additional benefit of this pillow is that you can buy extra filling when it starts to feel smaller or more condensed, and there are always new colors and styles of covers coming out.
