The Best Maternity Pillow

Buying Guide

Motherhood can be one of the most incredible experiences a woman can have. The months of excitement as you watch a baby (and yourself) grow and the delivery of your new family member can’t be beat. However, nine months of pregnancy presents its own set of challenges for an expectant mother.

As your stomach grows to accommodate your developing child, your body’s needs change along with it. Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is common when your stomach starts growing. Conditions like heartburn and sciatica can develop or worsen. You might have trouble sleeping or wake up during the night due to poor support from your mattress.

“Sleeplessness often begins well before the baby actually arrives, and a maternity pillow can help bring comfort during these long nights,”  Kate Desmond, an infant safe-sleep expert and a mother of two, says. “I am a back sleeper and early into my pregnancy I was told by my doctor that my back sleeping days were numbered. Practically overnight I had to become a side sleeper, and that transition would have been impossible without my full-body maternity pillow.”

Luckily, there are ways to get a great night’s sleep while pregnant. A maternity pillow is an affordable way to support your entire body as it changes with your growing infant. They are designed to help you stay comfortable and keep you asleep on your side — sleeping on your back or stomach can push on your organs and hurt your back.

“Look for one that fits your specific sleeping needs,” Desmond says. “Make sure the pillow you choose offers plenty of support when you lay on your side.”

Maternity pillows come in C, U or J shapes. J-shaped pillows offer the lightest amount of support. They look like a hook, and you sleep or rest with the bottom of the hook underneath your head and neck while the hook’s straight line runs in between your knees and hips. You can flip these pillows for sleeping on your right or left side. They’re best for expectant mothers who are used to sleeping on their sides and want a little more breathability and freedom as they rest.

The C-shaped pillows offer support for both your stomach and your back. They wrap around your body, with a small opening in the center of one side. These pillows will support your back, knees, hips, neck and head. They also help you stay on your side throughout the night, so they’re great for women who normally sleep on their stomachs or backs. You can also shift the side of the pillow under your stomach as it grows to prevent added strain on your back and hips. 

U-shaped pillows offer the most complete support for pregnant women. Your head and neck rest on the curved bottom of the U, and there’s a small opening at your feet. You’ll enjoy full support all the way down your body, from the top of your head to your ankles and feet.

“Just keep in mind these pillows are not small!” Desmond says, noting that you should evaluate the size of your bed and your partner’s sleeping habits before you decide which one to purchase.

Maternity pillows also come in a variety of textures and sizes for different types of support. Head over to our Tips & Advice section for input about choosing the best maternity pillow for your needs.

• Maternity pillows come in different lengths to accommodate women of different heights. Most of them are in the range of 55-65 inches. The size you order will depend on how tall you are and what type of support you’re looking for. Taller women, or women who need lower leg and ankle support, should go for the 60- 65-inch pillows. Shorter women or women who mostly need knee and hip support should be fine with the 55-inch option. 
• You won’t want to use a pillow that doesn’t feel nice against your skin. Take a look at what materials are used for the maternity pillow’s cover and filling before you buy. This is especially important if you have allergies — down filling would add an extra level of discomfort. 
• Maternity pillows aren’t just for your nine months of pregnancy. If you rearrange the two legs of your maternity pillow, you can create a supportive seat for watching TV or reading in bed. You can also use one of the legs to support your newborn while nursing.
• If you’ve got chronic pain, maternity pillows might be your saving grace. They provide superior support for your hips, knees, back and neck as you sleep.
• Everyone has their preferred level of pillow firmness, and you’re going to be especially sensitive to a too-firm or too-soft pillow as your body changes during pregnancy.  Some maternity pillows are adjustable, so you can take some of the filling out or add more throughout your pregnancy. Others have a set amount of filling, so check and see how firm they are before you buy.
• The right pillow will keep your spine in a straight line as you sleep. You can check and see if your pillow is the right height by taking a selfie while laying down. If your head is cocked upwards or sinks down and puts your neck at an angle, you’ll need a pillow that’s a different height. You can also try rearranging the pillow’s filling to get the support you need.