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Best pregnancy pillows: Our fave pregnancy pillows to help ease aches and pains in bed
One of these is about to become your new best friend
As your bump grows, things might start getting a little achey. So, it's worth investing in a pregnancy pillow to help support you while you're sleeping or just relaxing on the sofa. These cosy helpers can also be used once baby is born, too, doubling up as a nursing pillow for breastfeeding, or a tummy rest for your bub, making them a cost-effective buy.
And, despite the name, pregnancy pillows aren't just for those who are pregnant. Have you ever slept with a pregnancy pillow before? It's like getting an all-night hug that perfectly shapes to your body and keeps you in the perfect sleeping position.
Why use a pregnancy pillow?
According to the NHS, your risk of stillbirth can double if you sleep on your back during the third trimester. The reason for this is unclear, but it's definitely something to bear in mind if this is your go-to sleeping style. If it is, you might want to consider buying a pregnancy pillow, which can help you sleep more comfortably on your side.
What's more, pregnancy pillows can help ease aches and pains too. "Pregnancy pillows are designed to align the neck, back and hips, easing discomfort whilst lying down in bed and helping the sleeper to maintain a comfortable position throughout the night," says Dr Ashfaq Khan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Harley Street Gynaecology. "They can also be used to keep the upper body slightly elevated, which may help with acid reflux problems – another issue often experienced during later pregnancy."
What type of pregnancy pillow is best?
"A full-sized pillow is ideal for mums-to-be to help them sleep on their side, as it supports the whole body including legs, ankles and hips," says Dr Khan. Saying that, there are plenty of shapes on offer. If you don't need a full-on cocoon for your bed, you could opt for a bolster shape that'll support your back while sitting upright, for example, or a long, thin number that you spoon in bed.
"Many are small enough to be packed away when not in use and are easily transportable, offering simple back support," continues Dr Khan. "This is ideal when sitting up in bed or on the sofa."
All-in-all, we think a pregnancy pillow is a pretty useful bit of kit to have both before baby arrives and after (in fact, some of our mum pals admit to missing them once they're no longer needed, tbh). With that in mind, we've rounded up the best pregnancy pillows (including tried and tested products by parents) so you can stay as comfy as possible during this exciting – yet achey – time.
Kally Sleep U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
This 4.5-star rated pregnancy pillow offers full body support for you and your baby bump, and its versatile and ergonomic U-shaped design allows you to find your sweet, sleep spot – and slip dreamily into a snug night of shut eye.
Firmness: Medium
Kally Sleep Pregnancy Body Pillow
This pregnancy pillow has been designed by leading sleep experts to offer superior comfort and support throughout all trimesters, when sleep matters most and when nursing baby, post pregnancy. It's available in six different colours, including grey, pink and cream, and has 4.5-star rated reviews.
Firmness: Medium
Described as being a "smarter" pregnancy pillow, this chic option from Najell offers ultimate comfort and can easily be adjusted according to your – and your baby's – needs.
Firmness: Depending on how you want to use this pillow, you can change the firmness by tightening or loosening the knot
This bbhugme pillow is expensive, but it was name-checked as a favourite by several mums we quizzed, so we think it's worth it. Its chunky bolster design has been specially designed to relieve pain and offer extra support where you need it most: your pelvis, abdomen, lower back, knees and ankles. The firmness is also adjustable, so it can be used in different ways throughout your pregnancy depending on what you need most at the time – very handy.
Firmness: Adjustable
Tommee Tippee Made for Me Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Pillow Support
This extra-large cotton pillow from Tommee Tippee is ideal for snuggling up and is designed to wrap around you to support your back and bump. What's more, the curved design of the pillow means you can wedge it between your legs to support your hip alignment.
Once baby arrives this pillow can also be used to support during breastfeeding sessions.
Featuring an innovative KneeBlade™ – which is honestly not as scary as it sounds – this pregnancy support pillow guides your body into the perfect sleep position, by taking pressure off your hips, legs and ankles, all while supporting your upper body, reducing both back pain and pressure on your bump.
If you're short on space, or travel a lot, this pregnancy (and nursing) pillow is compact enough to be stored away neatly or taken along with you on your holiday. The price isn't bad either!
Unlike the others on this list, the front of this full body pillow is curved, like your bump – super handy when it starts getting really big. What's more, it comes in a tonne of different colourways.
Firmness: Soft yet full
BellaMoon Pregnancy & Nursing (3-in-1) Pillow
Now this looks incred! A 3-in-1? Sign us up! This BellaMoon pregnancy pillow design is award-winning and works as a pregnancy pillow, a nursing pillow and a sit up support for baby. While it's not the cheapest pillow on the list, this unique pillow will support you through pregnancy up until your baby is one-year-old – a bargain, if you ask us.
Firmness: Varies
This is the only memory foam pregnancy pillow we've spotted – and it's adjustable, so you can get it just as you like (which might change as the months go on).
Firmness: Adjustable
Another U-shaped one here and while it's not the cheapest on our list, it's made with luxe GOTS-certified (that's the highest eco and ethical creds possible) organic cotton. It's also a nice option if you're keen to support a small business which hand-makes products.
So, this is just a case, but we really liked this idea. If you've got a traditional long body pillow, by popping this cover on it, you can turn it into a cool bolster for your bed when baby's born. No need to pack it away!
Silentnight Body Support Pillow
Use this pillow as necessary to ease aches and pains around your back, hips, neck and stomach, and for support during nursing too. It's also a good value option, at just over £40.
Firmness: Medium
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