8 of the Best Pregnancy Pillows for a Good Night’s Sleep, According to Real Moms

Between the heartburn, trips to the bathroom and constant worrying (over the car seat, day care costs, not sleeping—take your pick), getting a decent night’s shut-eye is the ultimate in pregnancy unicorns. But one thing that might help? A pillow designed to support your growing body. Here, eight of the best pregnancy pillows to help you sleep like a baby (while making a baby).

• Size: Pregnancy pillows come in a range of sizes, from unobtrusive wedges to giant U-shaped pillows that envelop you in a warm hug. So, if you share the bed, you might want to loop in your sleeping partner on this one, since they may end up losing some of that valuable bed space. (Or don’t—you’re the one making a baby, after all.)

• Shape: Every woman experiences pregnancy differently, including where they feel those aches and pains. So it makes sense to keep your own body in mind when it comes to choosing the right pregnancy pillow for you. For example, if your neck hurts, then a pillow that can be tucked underneath your head may offer some relief. Or if you’re desperate to take some weight off your bump, then a pillow that cradles your belly might help. Other pregnancy pillows can be wedged between your knees or offer support for your back. And keep in mind that if you tend to flip-flop while you sleep, then you might want to pick a U-shaped pillow so you won’t have to readjust every time you get up to use the bathroom (i.e., every other hour).

• Material: Some pillows are made with cotton covers (ideal for those who tend to get hot at night), while others are polyester. One more thing to keep in mind: The best pregnancy pillows are the ones that can be washed—in case you get sweaty at night or, you know, accidentally spill some ice cream while you’re watching Netflix.

Size: Pregnancy pillows come in a range of sizes, from unobtrusive wedges to giant U-shaped pillows that envelop you in a warm hug. So, if you share the bed, you might want to loop in your sleeping partner on this one, since they may end up losing some of that valuable bed space. (Or don’t—you’re the one making a baby, after all.)

Shape: Every woman experiences pregnancy differently, including where they feel those aches and pains. So it makes sense to keep your own body in mind when it comes to choosing the right pregnancy pillow for you. For example, if your neck hurts, then a pillow that can be tucked underneath your head may offer some relief. Or if you’re desperate to take some weight off your bump, then a pillow that cradles your belly might help. Other pregnancy pillows can be wedged between your knees or offer support for your back. And keep in mind that if you tend to flip-flop while you sleep, then you might want to pick a U-shaped pillow so you won’t have to readjust every time you get up to use the bathroom (i.e., every other hour).

Material: Some pillows are made with cotton covers (ideal for those who tend to get hot at night), while others are polyester. One more thing to keep in mind: The best pregnancy pillows are the ones that can be washed—in case you get sweaty at night or, you know, accidentally spill some ice cream while you’re watching Netflix.

Size: Pregnancy pillows come in a range of sizes, from unobtrusive wedges to giant U-shaped pillows that envelop you in a warm hug. So, if you share the bed, you might want to loop in your sleeping partner on this one, since they may end up losing some of that valuable bed space. (Or don’t—you’re the one making a baby, after all.)

Shape: Every woman experiences pregnancy differently, including where they feel those aches and pains. So it makes sense to keep your own body in mind when it comes to choosing the right pregnancy pillow for you. For example, if your neck hurts, then a pillow that can be tucked underneath your head may offer some relief. Or if you’re desperate to take some weight off your bump, then a pillow that cradles your belly might help. Other pregnancy pillows can be wedged between your knees or offer support for your back. And keep in mind that if you tend to flip-flop while you sleep, then you might want to pick a U-shaped pillow so you won’t have to readjust every time you get up to use the bathroom (i.e., every other hour).

Material: Some pillows are made with cotton covers (ideal for those who tend to get hot at night), while others are polyester. One more thing to keep in mind: The best pregnancy pillows are the ones that can be washed—in case you get sweaty at night or, you know, accidentally spill some ice cream while you’re watching Netflix.

Most moms-to-be will tell you that getting a decent night’s sleep while pregnant is no easy feat, but some extra support can be very helpful.

That’s because doctors advise pregnant women to sleep on their side during the later stages of pregnancy. And if you’re used to sleeping on your back or stomach, then a strategically placed pillow can help you stay on your side (although after a certain point, you’ll likely find your old go-to positions are too uncomfortable anyway). A pillow can also provide extra support for your hips, knees and ankles—areas that can feel strained during pregnancy both from extra weight as well as hormone changes.

But there’s no need to purchase a special pregnancy pillow if you don’t want to. In fact, one of our recs is a regular pillow that you can wedge between your knees or under your belly. The main perk of a pregnancy pillow is that it’s ultra convenient since it can simultaneously support different areas of the body, so you won’t have to rearrange multiple pillows throughout the night.

Most doctors recommend sleeping on your side by the third trimester to help relieve pressure on your spine and to improve circulation, something that a pregnancy pillow can help with (although you’ll want to check in with your OB/GYN for more specific guidelines). But you can absolutely start using a pregnancy pillow before then if you like, and some moms even continue to use their pillow post-pregnancy to ease back pain and help get a better night’s slumber.