It’s often difficult for pregnant people to get the quality rest they need. As the baby grows, the expectant person can develop shoulder, lower back, and hip pain. Fortunately, pregnancy pillows can help alleviate the aches and support the belly.
Pregnancy pillows come in many shapes and sizes, and they all serve their purpose. But the question remains – which one is best for your sleep needs? Our list of the best pregnancy pillows will help you find out!
Editor’s Note: This article has been co-written by Mattress Clarity team member Emylee Barjuca, who was pregnant at the time of writing.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Pregnancy Pillow?
One of the standouts on this list is the Coop Sleep Goods body pillow. It can work well for preganancy because it’s a body pillow and can be put behind your back for support, or you can hold it in front of you for belly support. The fill is soft and slow-moving and can be adjusted to fit a variety of needs.
Best Pregnancy Pillows – 2024
- Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Pregnancy
- Buffy Wiggle Pillow – Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Support
- Tuft & Needle Body Pillow – Best Body Pillow for Pregnancy
- Frida Mom Pregnancy Pillow – Best Cooling Pregnancy Pillow
- BBHugMe Pregnancy Pillow – Best Adjustable Pillow
- Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow – Best Pregnancy Pillow for Side Sleepers
- MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow – Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Pain
- Yana Pregnancy Pillow – Best U Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
How We Tested The Products
For this pregnancy pillow roundup, we combined Elisa Regulski’s pillow expertise with Emylee Barjuca’s personal experience. Barjuca, a Mattress Clarity team member and an expectant mother at the time of writing, rated each product based on comfort, support, and ease of use. Regulski examined the products’ cooling features, construction, and durability.
The Best Pregnancy Pillows: Video Review
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Pregnancy – Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods is known for making some super comfortable (and soft) adjustable, shredded foam pillows. Their body pillow is no exception.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Body pillows are great for pregnancy because they can be used during and after pregnancy as a way to get extra support. And if you love that plush, slow-moving feel of memory foam in your pillows, then the Coop Sleep Goods body pillow should be a great addition for your pregnancy needs.
The blend of memory foam and down alternative fibers gives this pillow a very soft feel, but it’s an adjustable pillow as well. This means you can play around with the amount of filling that’s inside this pillow to find what works best for you. If you want something to support your back while you sleep, keep the pillow stuffed full with the fill. Or if you want something to go between your legs and knees while you sleep, you can take some out so it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
What We Love About the Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow
- The adjustable nature of this pillow makes it versatile for pregnant people who might want to use a body pillow in different ways.
- Fans of memory foam will be able to experience that plush, slow-moving quality that they love.
- The outer cover is made from a blend of bamboo and polyester, so it shouldn’t trap to much heat. You can also remove this and machine-wash it for easy care.
What to Keep In Mind About the Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow
- Memory foam is great for those who love a soft, plush feel. But if you’re looking for a firm pillow to offer a lot of support while you’re pregnant, this might not be the best choice.
Read our full Coop Sleep Goods body pillow review.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Support – Buffy Wiggle Pillow
Buffy Wiggle Pillow
The Buffy Wiggle pillow is a great option for expectant parents who suffer from back pain and want some extra belly support.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
As the baby grows, the pregnant parent needs more lumbar support. Enter: The Buffy Wiggle! This plush pillow wraps around the entire body and offers excellent pressure relief and support. Best of all – it’s made out of eco-friendly materials and sold at a value price!
If you want to be kinder to the environment, the Buffy Wiggle pillow is a great option. The cover is made out of soft Eucalyptus fabric, and it contains recycled materials. It’s a pillow that’s great for your back and the environment!
What We Love About the Buffy Wiggle Pillow
- It contains earth-friendly materials. The Buffy Wiggle pillow contains soft, eco-friendly fabrics and recycled materials.
- It offers excellent lumbar support. You can also wrap it around your belly for additional comfort or place it between your knees for more hip support.
- It’s sold at a great price. And you can save even more with our Mattress Clarity coupons!
What to Keep In Mind About the Buffy Wiggle PIllow
- While you can wrap this pillow around yourself for some additional support, some may just want a firmer, thicker pillow to offer more support.
Check out the full Buffy Wiggle pregnancy pillow review.
Best Body Pillow for Pregnancy – Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
Filled with luxurious down alternative, the Tuft & Needle body pillow is plush and comfy.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you want a pillow that you can use during pregnancy and beyond, take a look at the Tuft & Needle body pillow. This luxurious pillow feels as fluffy as down feathers, but it doesn’t contain any animal products. The 8” loft gently cushions joints, and it can even be used as a head pillow.
As the best body pillow for pregnancy, the Tuft & Needle is great for folks who want a luxurious option they can use whether they’re pregnant or not. It’s perfect for folks who love the light and malleable feeling of down feathers, but don’t want to harm animals.
What We Love About the Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
- It’s great for people who are pregnant – or not! You’ll want to keep this fluffy pillow around post-pregnancy as well.
- It feels soft and luxurious. Filled with down alternative, the Tuft & Needle Body pillow has a light and fluffy feel.
- It can be used as cushioning between the knees. Or you could use it as a longer head pillow!
What to Keep In Mind About the Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
- You can’t adjust the fill of this pillow, and it has more of a standard body pillow design. This makes it great for use after pregnancy, but makes it more of a simple pillow for during pregnancy.
Check out the full Tuft & Needle Body Pillow review.
Best Cooling Pregnancy Pillow – Frida Mom
Frida Mom Pregnancy Pillow
The Frida Mom pregnancy pillow is flexible and adjustable, so it offers lumbar support throughout a person’s pregnancy.
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you tend to overheat at night, the Frida pregnancy pillow might be the one for you. The breathable microbead filling allows plenty of room for airflow, and the stretchy outer fabric helps dissipate body heat. This pillow has a lightweight and malleable feel, so it’s easy to put away and store.
Like its name suggests, the Frida’s Adjustable Keep-Cool pregnancy pillow is a great option for folks who want a pillow that won’t make them feel hot and sweaty at night. It also works well for side sleepers, because the flexible design allows people to adjust the pillow into many different, supportive shapes.
What We Love About the Frida Mom Pillow
- It’s one of the best cooling pillows on the market. The malleable design and breathable filling allows plenty of room for airflow.
- It’s adjustable. Simply fold it into your desired shape and get the support where you need it most.
- It’s lightweight. Unlike many other pregnancy pillows on the market, the Frida Adjustable pillow is easy to move around and store.
What to Keep In Mind About the Frida Mom Pillow
- This pillow is 54″ long (or about 4.5′). If you’re a taller pregnant person, you may have to use additional pillows while you sleep.
Check out the full Frida Mom pregnancy pillow review.
Best Adjustable Pillow – BBHugMe
BBHugMe Pillow
The BBHugMe pillow is breathable and comfy, and it’s available in many different color options.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Designed with five-point body support, the BBHugMe works for pregnant people of all body types. This cylindrical pillow is 59” long, and because it’s filled with tiny pebbles, it can bend into many different shapes.
But it’s not just the shape that’s adjustable – you can also make the pillow feel firmer or softer! The removable, machine-washable cover is slightly longer than the pillow itself, which allows sleepers to tie the ends together and tighten the sides to make the pillow feel more supportive.
The BBHugMe pillow is a great choice for taller pregnant people who want plenty of hip and back support. It’s also a great option for people who want a pillow that looks beautiful in their home – the BBHugMe is available in ten different colors!
What We Love about the BBHugMe Pregnancy Pillow
- It’s longer than many other pregnancy pillows, which is great news for taller folks. The BBHugMe can easily wrap around the belly and hips to offer comfort and full-body support.
- It’s easy to adjust. Sleepers can put the pillow in many different shapes, and they can even make the pillow feel firmer by tightening the stoppers at the ends of the cover.
- It’s available in ten different colors. This pretty pillow is stylish enough to display even when you aren’t pregnant.
What to Keep In Mind About the BBHugMe Pregnancy Pillow
- While you can find this on Amazon, which is great for deals and speedy delivery, the full price for this pillow is just over $200. This might be out of budget for some people.
Check out the full BBHugMe pregnancy pillow review.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Side Sleepers – Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
The Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow from Boppy is designed with two removable pillows filled with polyester fibers that are connected into one piece by a soft (and also removable) outer cover.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The Boppy Side Sleeper pillow offers support for both the back and the belly, without completely surrounding the body. This not only keeps things comfortable – but compact, too! The stretch panel keeps the pillows in place as the bump grows, and this versatility offers additional space. With every stage of pregnancy, you won’t be burdened with a bulky pillow. This is especially useful if you share a bed with a partner.
Of course, side sleepers should love the Boppy. And thanks to its compact design, it’s an easy pillow to pack and travel with. You can sleep comfortably even while on the go!
What We Love About the Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
- It’s sold at a great price. On their website, the Boppy Side Sleeper pillow sells for $35! It’s also available on Amazon, which can often have good deals to save more.
- It’s easy to clean. The Boppy Side Sleeper has a removable, machine-washable cover made out of soft-knit material.
- It’s versatile. This pillow can be used before, during, and after pregnancy for support. It can also be placed between the knees at night to keep the hips open.
What to Keep In Mind About the Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
- This pillow has a unique, compact design that can help train you to sleep on your side. But because of that compact design, it won’t offer total body support the way a body pillow will.
Check out the full Boppy Side Sleeper pregnancy pillow review.
MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow – Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Pain
This three-part pillow system alleviates shoulder pain and can help with acid reflux symptoms.
MedCline Shoulder Relief System
Our Expert’s Take
The MedCline Shoulder Relief System is perfect for the pregnant person who needs a little bit of help sleeping on their side. Even though it has three different pieces, the MedCline isn’t as complicated as it may look. Simply place the pillow inside the gap on the wedge and put the body pillow on the left or right side. Rest your head on the pillow and place your arm through the gap in the wedge. Hug the body pillow around you, and you’ll feel like you’re resting in a zero gravity chamber – no pain along pressure points here!
The MedCline Shoulder Relief system helps pregnant people adjust to sleeping on their sides as they progress into the second trimester. It’s also beneficial for folks who need additional shoulder pain relief and hip support.
What We Love about the Medcline Body Pillow
- It alleviates pain along pressure points. Resting on this pillow feels similar to sleeping on an adjustable bed on the zero gravity setting. You shouldn’t feel any aches and pains!
- Can help ease acid reflux symptoms. Many pregnant people suffer from acid reflux, but elevating the head can help cool the heartburn.
- It encourages people to sleep on their sides, which is the preferred sleeping position for pregnant people. It’s difficult to switch sleeping positions on the MedCline pillow, so it can help pregnant back and stomach sleepers create a healthier habit.
What to Keep In Mind About the Medcline Body Pillow
- This pillow comes in three pieces. The main wedge pillow is large and bulky and might not be the best for trying to save space when not in use.
- At full price, the Medcline is around $300, making it more of a pricey option.
Read our full MedCline body pillow review.
Best U-shape Pregnancy Pillow – Yana 360 Pregnancy Pillow
This U-shape pillow offers excellent lumbar support. Plus, its durable construction gives it a long lifespan.
Yana 360 Body Pillow
Our Expert’s Take
After the second trimester, doctors recommend pregnant people start sleeping on their sides. This can be a difficult transition for some folks, but the 360 pillow from Yana Sleep can help you ease into this new habit.
The Yana 360 pillow is durable, dense, and supportive, so it won’t move around throughout the night. You can use it as a buffer that prevents you from rolling onto your back, or you could roll it into a donut shape and rest your belly inside it for some lower back pain relief. It even works as a recliner, which is perfect for nursing.
The Yana 360 pillow is great for people who need ample pressure relief and hip support. Because it’s so versatile, it can adapt with you as the pregnancy progresses.
What We Love About the Yana 360 Pregnancy Pillow
- It’s supportive and durable. Whether you order the pillow filled with gel foam or natural latex, you should get the optimal amount of comfort and support.
- It folds into many different positions. No matter your sleeping position, the Yana pillow will help ease your aches and pains. It even works for individuals who aren’t pregnant!
- You shouldn’t overheat at night. The fillings are cool and breathable, so you shouldn’t have to worry about waking up from night sweats.
What to Keep In Mind About the Yana 360 Pregnancy Pillow
- During our tests, we noticed how heavy this pillow is. This might not be ideal for pregnant people who are avoiding doing some heavy lifting.
Read our full Yana 360 pillow review.
What to Look for in a Pregnancy Pillow
Not all pregnancy pillows look or function the same way. There are a ton of them out there, and it can be overwhelming to determine which is going to work best during pregnancy. Here are the main factors to consider before purchasing a pillow.
RELATED: How to Sleep Better While Pregnant
Size and Shape
Pregnancy pillows can be full-body or they can be compact and travel-size. Choosing the right one really depends on each pregnant person’s needs. Here are some questions to think about to determine which size is best:
- How big is the bed?
- Does the individual sleep with a partner?
- Does the individual have room to store the pillow when they are not using it?
- Will the person be traveling with the pregnancy pillow?
Some pillows are designed for overall use, while some are shaped to support a specific area. For example, wedge pillows are often the best for supporting the lower back or belly.
Filling
Just as with regular pillow shopping, there are a ton of fillings to choose from when considering a pregnancy pillow. Here’s an idea of what types of fillings are available:
- Memory foam
- Polyester fibers
- Air (inflated)
- Micro-beads
- Wool
- Kapok fibers (seed pod fluff from a rainforest tree)
Fabric
In many cases, a pregnancy pillow comes with a removable cover that can be washed (and sometimes extra covers are available for purchase). Typically they’re made with the same fabrics as regular pillows: cotton, organic cotton, jersey knit, polyester knit, velour, and so on. Individuals should check the cleaning instructions if they want something that is machine-washable and dryer friendly.
Price
There’s a pregnancy pillow in just about everyone’s budget! Compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly pillows tend to be the most affordable and range from around $20 to $40. Plan to spend $50-$60 for full-body, U-shaped, or C-shaped options, though many cost as much as $200. But don’t forget – you can always save some money with our Mattress Clarity coupons!
How To Use a Pregnancy Pillow
As you progress through your pregnancy, your comfort and support needs may change. So it makes sense that there are many different types of pregnancy pillows on the market – and even more ways to use them! Here are the most common ways to sleep comfortably with a pregnancy pillow:
Side Sleepers
By the time you reach your second trimester, doctors recommend pregnant people sleep on their sides. This not only helps the pregnant person’s circulation, but the baby’s as well! For some people, switching to this sleeping position is an adjustment.
U-Shape and C-shape pillows not only help cushion the knees; they can also wrap around the body and act as a buffer to keep the pregnant person resting on their side. If you need help changing your sleeping position, we recommend the Yana 360 pillow. This product weighs between 10-16 lb, so it tends to stay in place.
Stomach Sleepers
Though it’s not recommended for pregnant people to sleep on their stomachs during the night, they can use a pregnancy pillow to rest in this position for some momentary back pain relief. Flexible, cylindrical pillows, such as the BBHugMe, work best for this. Simply wrap the pillow into an “O” shape and rest your belly in the center. Relax in this position for 10-15 minutes, and you should feel some much-needed tension relief.
Back Sleepers
During the early stages of pregnancy, you can rest on your back safely and comfortably. But once you reach the second trimester, you’ll want to switch to your side. That said, there are many pregnancy pillows that work well for short-term lounging on your back. For example, the Boppy Side Sleeper pillow can wrap around the lower back and act as an arm rest while you read a book in bed.
Back Pain and Sciatica
Two common problems for pregnant people, back pain and sciatica can really inhibit sleep. Many pregnant folks find relief by placing a pillow between their knees. This not only cushions the joints in the knees, but opens up the hips and helps alleviate pain along the lower back. It may also be helpful to place a long, malleable pillow under your baby bump.
For even more information, check out our full guide to pregnancy pillows!
When to Use a Pregnancy Pillow
People can begin using a pregnancy pillow as soon as they want — there are no rules! These pillows are not reserved for expectant people only, though they do help alleviate the problems associated with pregnancy.
Many people find pregnancy pillows particularly useful when they reach the second trimester. That’s when expectant people need to sleep only on their sides, and pregnancy pillows can help support the belly in this position.
How to Wash Pregnancy Pillows
While each pregnancy pillow is different, most of them are easy to wash and care for. If you’re particularly concerned about cleanliness, opt for a pillow that has a removable, machine-washable cover. Typically, the core of the pillows are spot-clean only. When in doubt, read the care instructions thoroughly!
Summary
Once again, here are our top picks for the best pregnancy pillows:
| Mattress | Best For |
| Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow | Best Memory Foam Pillow for PRegnancy |
| Buffy Wiggle Pillow | Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Support |
| Tuft & Needle Body Pillow | Best Body Pillow for Pregnancy |
| Frida Mom Pregnancy Pillow | Best Cooling Pregnancy Pillow |
| BBHugMe Pregnancy Pillow | Best Adjustable Pillow |
| Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow | Best Pregnancy Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow | Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Pain |
| Yana Pregnancy Pillow | Best U Shaped Pregnancy Pillow |
FAQs
Before we wrap up, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about pregnancy pillows.
What is the best pregnancy pillow to buy?
The best pregnancy pillow for each person is the one that’s going to keep the individual — most often a pregnant woman — and her personal pregnancy-related aches and pains at bay. There is no one “best” pillow from my experience, but I do think full-body options like the Snoogle or the Awesling end up being crowd-pleasers because of their versatile nature.
When should you start using a pregnancy pillow?
Honestly, people can begin using a pregnancy pillow as soon as they want — there are no rules! These pillows are not reserved for pregnant women only, and anyone can enjoy them. Personally, I started using my Snoogle at about the halfway mark of my pregnancy (20 weeks) when I had to transition from being a back sleeper to being a solid side sleeper per my doctor’s recommendations. It really helped me stay comfortable with my hips aligned and my back supported. Check out my video on the best sleeping positions for pregnancy to learn more about transitioning to side-sleeping.
What is the best pregnancy pillow for sleeping?
For sleeping, I would highly recommend one of the two of the full-body options in my list: the Snoogle or the Awesling. They’re designed to help women stay as close to neutrally aligned as possible and, as a result, more comfortable overnight.
Do pregnancy pillows really help?
I can personally attest that yes, pregnancy pillows really help. Pregnancy can be so uncomfortable, especially when it’s time to sleep. Whether it’s the first baby or someone’s third, our bodies are constantly challenged and tested in ways that we aren’t used to. Adding enhanced support through a pregnancy pillow really will help a woman stay comfortable enough to get much-needed rest.
