The Best Pregnancy Pillows for a Good Night’s Sleep

Designed in a U-shape, the Queen Rose pregnancy pillow will give you the same consistent support even when you’re flipping from one side to the other. Right out of the box, the pillow is soft yet supportive. (But if you prefer a firmer feel, you can unzip the pillow and add more polyfill.) The cover is designed to keep you cool, which is good news if you’re navigating pregnancy night sweats. You can position the pillow where the arch portion is under your head, replacing your standard pillow. Or, if you’d rather use your own pillow, you can flip it upside down and put the arch toward your feet. 

While this is a larger pillow compared to others on our list (which can be tricky if you sharing your bed), it’ll give you full-body support in just about every sleeping position you’ll find yourself in during pregnancy (and here’s a guide on the different sleep positions you can do during pregnancy). And when it’s time to feed your baby (work on your laptop or lounge around in bed), you can fold the pillow up for added back support and wrap the long ends around your waist for extra arm support.

If a full-size pillow feels like it’s too much for you, check out a wedge. This firm foam cushion helps to ease pressure wherever you hurt: your back, your belly or between your knees. Dr. Crouch likes that it is “compact and great for targeted support.” It’s a great option for the first half of pregnancy when your bump is just emerging and you need a smidgen of extra support without going full-length. Babylist managing editor Shannon R. says this is perfect for light support as well as a handy travel companion and after pregnancy as well: “I flew with that thing if I had to go out of town. And after I was pregnant, I continued to use the wedge for between-the-knee support.” 

We love how compact and targeted this pillow is, but that can be a drawback if you’re trying to manage pelvic pressure and back pain, as it can only relieve aches from one part of your body at a time. Also, if you’re an active sleeper, you’ll have to readjust the placement every time you move.

Boppy’s Total Body Pillow is similar to the larger full body pillows, but takes up less bed space and is shorter, making it a great option for smaller body types (the larger pillows can feel like they swallow you up). The middle portion of the pillow is shallow, so you can twist and fold each side to create a supportive back pillow for sitting up. The contoured edges hug your body for a comfortable, snug feel. 

One Babylist user said, “I bought this pillow a couple of months ago because I was struggling to get comfortable and sleep at night. As someone who has struggled with back pain, this pillow has revolutionized how I sleep. I wake up feeling rested, no back pain, and I can easily prop myself up if my allergies are acting up.”

The compact size is ideal for optimizing your bed space, but if you’re taller, the contoured pieces might not line up exactly where your body needs the most support. For perspective, the Queen Rose and Frida Mom pillows are 55 and 56 inches long, while this one is 48 inches in length.

Filled with foam, this unique pregnancy pillow can be twisted into every shape possible, allowing you to customize the fit to your body (including the four standard pregnancy pillow types listed below). Compared to the other pillows on our list, this one is slimmer and won’t take up as much space in your bed. With this one, you can use your own bed pillow for your head, a major plus if you have a favorite pillow. 

The cover is made of a blend of cotton and polyester, making it breathable and cooling. One thing I’d note is that it takes some maneuvering to find the right twists and folds to create the support you need.

The recommended sleep position for pregnant people is on their side (to make sure blood is flowing freely to your uterus and baby), which can be a tough adjustment for dedicated back sleepers, but this pillow can help you get used to sleeping on your side. It has two puffy, wedge cushions tethered together by a band of stretchy, jersey fabric; one cushion supports your belly while the other supports your back, preventing you from rolling onto your stomach or back in the middle of the night. And if you want to flip to your other side, you don’t have to adjust or move the pillow. 

Babylist team member Emily M. liked this one over larger options because it “took up less space and gave me support where I needed it around my bump.”  Both the pillow and the cover are machine washable. 

Since this one targets your bump and back, you may need an extra pillow to prop up your leg and align your hips for pelvic support.

Shaped like a wide pool noodle, this adjustable pregnancy pillow can be bent, folded and wrapped around your body for customized support. You can make the pillow as firm and supportive or soft and plush as you want by just removing some of the fill (or adding more). Speaking of the filling, it’s a blend of crosscut microfiber and memory foam that cradles your body. Babylist Senior Analyst Kristina M. raved that the pillow molded to her very well. 

I used this pillow during my pregnancy and I loved being able to snake my arms and legs around it and cuddle it to my body. I’m tall (5’ 10”) and it was long enough that it felt like a full-length pillow, but since it’s more cylindrical versus a flatter, wider rectangle, it didn’t eat up all of the space in my bed. It’s on the heavy side (weighing in at 7 pounds), but since you can bend it into a U-shape, you won’t have to move it from one side of your body to the other if you toss and turn. This is definitely one of the pricier option on our list but personally, I was able to hand it down to my mother-in-law who uses it as a body pillow (which you could totally use for yourself, too).