The 9 best pregnancy pillows of 2023, with expert tips

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When you’re carrying a baby (perhaps even two or three), true comfort is pure bliss — especially if you find yourself tossing and turning in the middle of the night.

A quality pregnancy pillow can help provide the support you need while helping you lounge comfortably, even when you’re not catching those ZZZs on your favorite mattress.

“A pregnancy pillow is a cushion that’s designed to help reduce pain and provide support for expecting mothers while sleeping or reclining as their pregnancies progress,” Ann Claire Baber, licensed massage therapist (LMT) and expert prenatal masseuse at Sage + Sound, told the New York Post.

Ahead, we thoroughly researched to find the best pregnancy pillows that you can buy online. Following our product picks, you’ll find an FAQ section highlighting Baber’s expertise — including how to properly use a pregnancy pillow, how to sleep with one, what their benefits are and more.

While you’re shopping, take a look at our expert-backed guides to the best cribs and top-rated maternity clothing brands.

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The Pharmedoc U-Shape Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow is ranked as our best pregnancy pillow overall because of its affordable price point, versatile comfort and jumbo size that can accommodate your growing belly. Not to mention, it’s a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with nearly 86,000 applauding review.

Much like your sink-into mattress, there’s nothing quite like resting on memory foam. The Newton Baby The Pregnancy Pillow fits the bill (for less than $100, too) and boasts premium-grade memory foam, too. Not only that, but it also includes a fiber cluster blend core to help support your back region even more.

Shop the Malouf C Shape and Pregnancy Wrap Around Pillow if you’re on the hunt for a down-alternative pregnancy pillow. Namely, this one will hug you from head to toe, thanks to its ergonomic design that fits to the body’s natural contours.

More, it features moisture-wicking, patented Tencel fabric cover that helps keep you cool at night, much like your best bundle of cooling sheets.

Pick up the Leachco Back ‘N Belly On My Own Contoured Body Pillow for an all-around great option — literally. It’ll certainly contour to every nook and cranny of your figure, guaranteed, and will come in handy as you advance through each trimester.

Additionally, it has amassed nearly 5,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone, thanks to its comfortable, sink-into design.

We’re big fans of Bearaby (read: best blankets we reviewed) and now, we’re even bigger fans because of its Cuddler Body Pillow. It’s one you can morph and adjust to your level of comfortability, too.

Plus, this soothing option helps melt away pregnancy-related tension, thanks to its plant-based Melofoam fabric. Its squishy, breathable, ergonomic and multi-purpose pillow is incredible for sleeping with or propping yourself up while on your sectional sofa — your choice.

Fairly priced and plush enough to grab our attention, the Queen Rose Cooling Maternity Pillow is worth your hard-earned coin. With more than 31,000 sensational reviews, this cuddly option will help provide more support to your back, along with your neck and shoulders. It’s perfectly oversized, too.

The Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow is a great option for those who sleep-position themselves either left or right, thanks to its stretch panel that grows along with you and well-made design that *actually* keeps you on your side. Even better, it’s available at a wealth of online retailers.

Though a splurge, invest in the Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow for unwavering support, especially for taller figures. It gives you the support your belly needs with room for your legs to dangle comfortably. More, the brand’s material is filled with shapeable micro-cushions that “respond to the shape and pressure of your body,” per the brand.

If you don’t desire a full-body pillow and perhaps, wish to save space, grab the Belly Bandit S.O.S. Side Sleeper Pregnancy Wedge Pillow. Remarkably, it’s a three-piece set that includes a belt, back support and pregnancy wedge pillows to cater to your specific needs. It’s fully adjustable to accommodate every size and stage, too, and comes with machine-washable cases for easy cleaning.

Ahead, Baber explains key information pertaining to pregnancy pillows to read up on (before sleeping on one, of course).

In addition to relieving pain and providing extra support, pregnancy pillows reduce tension and pressure around the hips and keep your spine, back and hips aligned during sleep.

“They’re also helpful to have on hand to add extra comfort while laying down – which is extra beneficial for staying relaxed, reducing stress, and getting improved sleep,” Baber tells The Post.

There are all sorts of pregnancy pillows of different shapes, sizes and firmness levels so expecting parents have a number of options to choose from.

“There are large U-, C- and J-shaped pillows that can provide full-body support in addition to localized relief in specific areas,” she explains. “There are also rectangular body pillows and wedge pillows that are smaller and can be placed directly underneath your baby bump.”

More, some pillows are contoured for your growing body. “Pregnancy pillows can also be made of different materials like memory foam, down feathers or microfiber,” Baber says. “Some have prefabricated cutouts that are meant to help expecting mothers lay on their stomachs, but I don’t recommend these since they’re not very tailored to diverse bodies and heights.”

Every pregnant person has a different need when it comes to comfort and support levels, but the most important thing is that the pregnant person feels secure on their side and isn’t rotating needlessly and that the pillow that is between their knees is thick enough so that the knee of the top leg doesn’t fall too much towards the midline of the body, according to Baber.

“You want the knee of the top leg to be at about the same level as the hip to prevent stress on the hips and sacroiliac joints such as the pelvis and lower spine,” she advises. “Having something to hold on to for their upper body will prevent the torso from rotating too much and give a place to rest their arm.”

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.