Getting a good night’s sleep when you’ve got a baby on the way is essential, but it can also be a real challenge. That’s why many mamas enlist the help of a good maternity pillow to keep them cozy through each trimester. Of course, every sleeper has unique needs, and every pregnancy pillow is different… So how do you know which is the best fit for you?
Well don’t worry, folks, my best pregnancy pillow review is here to help. In this guide, I’m presenting a wide variety of maternity pillows designed to keep you comfortable through all 40 weeks. Plus, I’ll provide you with the need-to-know tips and tricks to consider when you’re out shopping on your own.
Best Pregnancy Pillows 2024
- Best Overall Pillow – Coop Sleep Goods Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow
- Best Cooling Pregnancy Pillow – Buffy Wiggle Pillow
- Best Pregnancy Pillow for Hip Pain – Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
- Best U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow – Queen Rose
- Best Pregnancy Pillow for the Money – Boppy Side Sleeper
Best Pregnancy Pillows Video
Disclaimer: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be helpful and informative, but should never replace medical advice. If you have any health questions or concerns during your pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor or healthcare provider.
Best Overall – Coop Sleep Goods Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow
The Coop Maternity adjustable pillow is plush, soft-to-the-touch, and completely customizable…a mother’s dream. It's made with a microfiber and memory foam blend that's completely hypoallergenic.
Coop Sleep Goods Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow
When purchasing the best pregnancy pillow, you’ll want to find something with a flexible shape. This allows you to adjust the pillow to your needs as your body changes with the various stages of pregnancy — a time period that’s usually accompanied by new aches and pains.
The Maternity Adjustable Pillow from Coop Sleep Goods fits the bill, as it’s completely moldable. Running the entire length of your body, it has a long, tubular shape that you can coil around your knees, hug with your whole form, or place into any other configuration you can think of. When your little one arrives, you can even spread it out on your lap as a nursing pillow. Also, you can add or remove as much of the cross-cut memory foam filling as you want until you reach your desired fill and loft.
When we tested out the Coop Sleep Goods Maternity Adjustable Pillow, we found its slow-moving foams to be cushioning yet supportive. It felt especially good under the neck, providing pressure relief while still keeping the head and shoulders aligned. We also thought the cover was soft and breathable, which should make this sleep accessory a good fit for any expectant mothers experiencing hot flashes. Additionally, the cover is removable and machine-washable for easy cleaning.
Price: $99, one size only.
Perfect For: Any sleepers in the market for an adjustable pregnancy pillow.
Best Cooling Pregnancy Pillow – Buffy Wiggle Pillow
The Buffy Wiggle pillow was specifically designed for pregnant side sleepers looking for extra belly support.
Buffy Wiggle Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.40 / 5
For moms out there wanting a full body pillow that doesn’t trap too much heat, we’d love to introduce the Buffy Wiggle Pillow. It’s got a caterpillar-like design that allows for support throughout the body and throughout the night.
Its super cooling technology comes from a lightweight Tencel fabric, which is also known for its elegant feel and high quality. This extremely effective material is able to absorb moisture and promptly wick it away, so it doesn’t trap heat.
There are a variety of ways to use this body pillow because of its length and adaptable nature. We think that eco-conscious shoppers will especially enjoy this pillow, as Buffy markets it as one that “recycles approximately 55 plastic bottles” with every pillow. Its Tencel fiber is a more eco-friendly option than other materials, and its fill is BPA-free and kid-safe.
Price: $109, one size only.
Perfect For: Sleepers looking for a unique and cooling body pillow.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Hip Pain – Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
Made with breathable and eco-friendly materials, the Tuft & Needle Body Pillow serves as a model for high pillow quality.
Tuft & Needle Body Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.40 / 5
Sleepers looking for a pregnancy pillow to relieve their hip pain might be best suited to the Tuft & Needle Body Pillow.
Its longer, more rigid design, as well as its higher loft, pairs great with side sleepers and anyone who wants something to cuddle. Something unique about Tuft & Needle’s model is that it was specifically designed for pregnant side sleepers, so support and comfort were both top of mind. And as for hip pain, placing part of this lengthy pillow between the knees can release tension and relieve discomfort.
This pillow contains a number of high-quality materials constructed to maintain durability and keep its shape throughout the night. The Tuft & Needle Body Pillow is covered with a Supima cotton shell, known for its crispness, and can be gently washed and dried.
Price: $95, with a 120-night trial.
Perfect For: Side sleepers looking for a body pillow to alleviate hip pain.
Best U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow – Queen Rose
The Queen Rose has a versatile U-shaped design and can be propped up against a wall or headboard to enjoy some back support.
Queen Rose U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.40 / 5
Shaped like the letter U, the Queen Rose was designed to support the natural contours of your body from head to toe and in every trimester.
If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy and can still comfortably sleep on your back, feel free to nestle right in the middle of this U-shaped pillow and let the lofty sides cradle your body. Or, if you’re strictly side-sleeping, take comfort in the fact that you never have to reposition this pillow, as both sides will be there to support you no matter which way you turn.
Covered in jersey cotton and amply stuffed with polyester fiber, the Queen Rose pillow offers a plush yet supportive feel. And while the cover fabric comes in a regular cotton option as well, jersey cotton is usually a better pick for those who run hot.
Something my pregnant helpers liked about this pillow is that it can be propped up against a wall or headboard to enjoy some back support while you watch TV or read a book. And while it is bigger than some of the other pillows on this list, keep in mind that it comes in four different sizes.
Price: $40–$65, depending on size.
Perfect For: Moms looking for a versatile U-shaped pillow for full-body support.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for the Money – Boppy Side Sleeper
The Boppy Side Sleeper is great for those transitioning to side sleeping and comes in at an affordable price.
Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.20 / 5
Up next is the Boppy Side Sleeper, a double-bean shaped pillow that’s perfect for moms on a budget.
The Boppy Side Sleeper features a unique construction wherein two oval-shaped pillows are attached by a stretchy piece of fabric. As I mentioned earlier, this design is a spin on the traditional bean pillow, and is ideal for folks trying to acclimate to side sleeping. Essentially, you lay right in the middle of the beans, and allow each one to support your back and belly.
What’s cool about this pillow is that the middle panel of fabric is stretchy enough to grow with your belly as it gets bigger. So, both my pregnant helpers were able to comfortably slip between these two beans, despite being at different stages of pregnancy. They said the polyester fiber that fills each bean is plush and super supportive, and this design is perfectly suited to side sleeping. It’s also very reasonably priced at about $25.
Price: $25, one size only.
Perfect For: Moms who are trying to train themselves to side-sleep.
Methodology: How To Shop For a Pregnancy Pillow
Before we dive into this round-up, let’s cover a few basics. Firstly, sleep is extra important when you’re pregnant, as your body needs extra energy to nourish the new life growing inside you. That said, finding the pillow that meets your individual needs can be a great way to ensure you’re getting the rest you require. (1) There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re shopping for the perfect pregnancy pillow, including sleeping position, size, shape, and materials.
Trimester and Sleeping Position
It’s important to note that the trimester you’re in has a lot to do with finding the right pillow. For example, if you’re in your first trimester or the early stages of your second, you might still be able to comfortably sleep on your back. If so, you might find that a U-shaped pillow is ideal, as it’s built to support both back and side sleepers.
But if you’re more than 20 weeks pregnant, the side-sleeping position is widely regarded as the only safe and comfortable option. (2) That’s why third trimester mamas should make sure they have one (or a couple) maternity pillows that offer full-body support for the side-lying position. Luckily, most pregnancy pillows are designed to support side sleepers, as women are generally limited to this position in their third trimester.
Size and Shape
Pregnancy pillows come in a wide range of sizes, but typically fall within four main shapes — the U-shape, C-shape, bean, and wedge. Each one offers its own special kind of support, so let’s discuss the perks and pitfalls of each shape below:
The U-Shape
Perhaps the most popular of the bunch, U-shaped pregnancy pillows are hailed for their versatility and full body support. Quite literally curved in the shape of the letter “U,” these big ol’ sleep accessories pretty much envelop your body in pillow. There’s the top part for your head and neck, and then two long sides that support your back and belly.
Additionally, U-shaped pregnancy pillows are great for sleepers looking for something supportive to hold under their arms and between their legs in order to relieve hip pain and align the spine. Essentially, U-shaped pillows are kind of like having multiple pillows in one.
That said, the main downfall here is size. U-shaped pillows are typically pretty big, and take up quite a bit of real estate on your bed, which might bother your bed partner. They’re also rather difficult to travel, which is something to consider for moms on the go. Of course, if you’re looking for a maternity pillow that’ll support your whole body whether you’re on your back or side, the U-shape is a great way to go.
The C-Shape
The C-shaped design is kind of like the U-shaped pillow, but cut in half. It’s got a curved top part for your head and neck, a long midsection for your back or belly, and a curved bottom that you can hold between your legs. But unlike the U-shaped pillow, this one doesn’t provide support for your back and belly at the same time.
Instead, it’s up to you to position this pillow in a way that’ll provide support where you need it most. That said, many moms may prefer this style because it takes up much less space. Additionally, C-shaped pillows can be coiled up and placed beneath the feet or knees to improve circulation and relieve back pain.
The Bean
The bean-shaped pregnancy pillow is small, oval, and easy to travel with (whether you’re driving or just moving from the bed to the couch). Most folks use it to support targeted areas of the body like the lower back, especially when sitting in an upright position. But this compact accessory is great for sleeping too.
To boost blood flow and relieve back pain, tuck your bean beneath your knees or feet. You can also hold it between your legs to alleviate lower lumbar pressure and align the spine. Additionally, some bean-shaped pillows feature this double-bean design, wherein two lofty pillows are separated by a thin, stretchy patch of fabric.
We’ll talk more about this in a moment, but it’s worth noting that the double-bean makes a particularly good pick for early trimester moms trying to train themselves to sleep on their sides.
The Wedge
Finally, the wedge pillow is a great pick for folks looking to save space. It’s typically pretty small, easy to carry, and offers versatile support for your back and bump. For example, some sleepers like to slip a wedge pillow beneath their belly to support it while they slumber, while others keep it behind their back to prevent them from rolling over.
And similar to the bean-shape, the wedge pillow is a great pick for folks on the go. You can put it on your seat cushion for extra support, or place it behind your lower back to relieve pressure on a long journey. Another benefit to the wedge is that it tends to be more affordable than other styles.
Filling and Fabric
Once you’ve settled on the size and shape that works for you, it’s time to consider filling and fabric. Again, there are a few major players within the sphere of pregnancy pillows, including memory foam, polyester fiber, and cotton.
Sleepers looking for something more firmly supportive are typically best suited to memory foam, as it tends to be the most dense. Wedge pillows, for example, are often filled with a molded piece of memory foam that’s firm enough to keep your bump propped up and supported (no matter how far along you are).
That said, folks who prefer a cushier feel might prefer cotton or polyester fiber, as these materials are a bit softer and easier to manipulate. Additionally, maternity pillows filled with polyester or cotton are often adjustable, allowing you to make certain areas softer or firmer.
Of course, internal fill isn’t the only thing to consider when you’re shopping for maternity pillows, as cover fabric plays a big role in how cooling your pillow will be. If you need help staving off night sweats, aim for a pillow covered in a breathable or moisture-wicking material like jersey cotton, bamboo, or polyester.
Test Performance
We at Sleepopolis are all about personally testing products, and I’ve thoroughly examined the specs of each pillow on this list. However, I’m not pregnant, so I enlisted the help of two women who are. One is at the end of her first trimester, the other is in her third trimester, and they’re going to help me determine how well these pillows work.
FAQs
When should you start using a pregnancy pillow?
At around 20 weeks, your womb begins to grow, your belly starts to get bigger, and you’ll probably want to relieve some pressure with a pregnancy pillow. That said, you should feel free to start using a pregnancy pillow anytime you want. In fact, first trimester moms might want to take those first 12 weeks to get used to their new maternity pillow.
Why do you put a pillow between your legs when pregnant?
Toward the later stages of pregnancy, women are encouraged to sleep exclusively on their sides. Putting a pillow between your legs and/or beneath your bump when you’re in the side-sleeping position can relieve pressure at the hips and lower back, and serve to align the spine as well.
How do you sleep with a body pillow when pregnant?
Some moms may not want to sleep with a U- or C-shaped maternity pillow, and would prefer a standard body pillow instead. That said, those in their third trimester might find that a traditional body pillow doesn’t provide enough contoured support for their growing bump. However, those looking to relieve lower back or hip pain can place a body pillow between their legs or behind their back for extra support.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve seen my top favorite maternity pillows, you’re well on your way to picking the one that’s right for you. Just remember that every body is different and it’s important to keep a close eye on shape, size, and materials in order to find the one that meets your unique needs. And in the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Happy sleeping, everybody.
Sarah Riccio
Former Senior Writer and Bedding Expert
About Author
Sarah is the former senior writer and bedding expert at Sleepopolis. She received her degree in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College and spends her free time doing stand-up, making pasta, and hanging with her cats.
Side Sleeper