Being pregnant comes with many sleep hurdles like insomnia , heartburn , an active fetus and even joint and ligament pain . Having been pregnant for most of last year, I learned that a pregnancy pillow can be helpful during this stage of life. After testing various pregnancy pillows for the majority of my second and third trimester, I can see why pregnant people turn to these for relief at bedtime or when lying on the couch. Although I’m dealing with sleep issues of a different kind now thanks to my infant’s sleep regressions, I still rely on my pregnancy pillow for a good night’s sleep.
Having tested these pillows thoroughly, I narrowed down some of my favorites. During testing, I took into account that everyone’s needs and preferences are different, but overall comfort is key. These pillows will hopefully help you get through those tough nights of sleep when insomnia hits in those early morning hours. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself continuing to use these pillows during the postpartum stage like I did for extra comfort.
Since the best pregnancy pillow will vary by individual, I chose the one that I found to be the most versatile and comfortable for everyday use as my top pick: the Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow. I liked how easy it is to maneuver throughout the night depending on your sleep position without struggling with the weight or size of the pillow. That’s something that you can’t do as easily with a full-sized pregnancy pillow that is usually larger and heavier. However, the pillow that works best for you may change as your pregnancy progresses. For example, in the very beginning as I adjusted to my belly growing, I preferred a wedge pillow that supported both my back and stomach.
Of all the pregnancy pillows I tested, I found myself reaching for the Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow the most. This lightweight cylinder-shaped pillow is filled with microbeads to allow for proper airflow and keep you cool. It’s also fully adjustable and can be molded into a U, C, L or I-shape. Because it’s moldable, it also gets less in the way if you share a bed compared to a traditional full-body pregnancy pillow. I will admit, this isn’t the firmest pillow on the list, so if you’re not into a softer option, this may not be the right fit for you.
If you’re looking for a side sleeper pillow that offers some back and belly support that you can adjust throughout your pregnancy, you’ll love the Belly Bandit S.O.S. Side Sleeper Pregnancy Wedge Pillow. The side sleeper pillow is best for those looking for a pillow that specifically supports their belly and back when they sleep on their side. It consists of a round, flat pillow wedge to support the belly and a triangle wedge for the lower back.
Speaking of full-body pillows, they can feel a bit over the top if you’ve never slept with one before. The Momcozy Maternity Body Pillow was one of the better ones I tested because it has a cooling pillowcase cover and it’s breathable so you don’t overheat. This was important to me, since being heavily pregnant in the middle of summer meant I was constantly trying to stay cool. It is massive and has some weight to it — initially I thought was too big considering I’m petite. However, it really helped during the third trimester when I needed more support and cushioning around me.
If you find most body pillows to be too heavily cushioned, then you’ll want to check out the Newton Baby Pregnancy Pillow. Not only is it less cushioned than a traditional full-body pregnancy pillow, but it’s made up of organic cotton and has memory foam to provide you with support throughout your body. The arm on this U-shaped pillow is detachable and adjustable so you can customize it based on your needs.
The Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge was my go-to pillow during the second trimester when my belly was starting to grow and I needed a little support as I slept. It takes up minimal space so if you share a bed, your partner won’t feel cramped. It’s small enough that it can be used for traveling and comes with its own travel bag, which is always a plus. It has a soft CertiPur-US memory foam on one side, and is breathable and remains cool thanks to its airflow technology. The pillow cover is also machine washable.
Boppy Total Body Pillow : I found the shape of this pregnancy pillow to be awkward because parts of it are shorter than others so it wasn’t as comfortable or supportive as the other pillows tested. I also found myself overheating when I slept with this pillow even though the cover is supposed to be breathable.