Restful sleep can be tricky when you’re growing a little person inside of you.
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If you’re at a stage in your pregnancy that warrants a change in your sleeping style, then you might want to consider getting a pregnancy pillow to ease your bedtime woes.
To help you find the best pregnancy pillow for you, we did our research and rounded up the top maternity pillows on the market. We also explain why (and when!) you need a maternity pillow, how to find the right one, and how to use it.
Let’s get started.
Top 5 Best Pregnancy Pillows in Australia: At a Glance
Best Pregnancy Pillow: Mini-Reviews
Let’s take a more detailed look.
- Elover Pregnancy Pillow U-Shaped– Best Overall
- Meiz C Shaped Maternity Pillow – Best for Back Sleepers
- Yana Sleep Pillow – Best Value For Money
- Ultimate Total Body Support Pregnancy Pillow – Best for Overall Support
- Butterfly Maternity Pillow With Cover – Best For Side Sleepers
1. Elover Pregnancy Pillow U-Shaped: Best Overall
The Elover pregnancy pillow is the best maternity pillow for pregnant people looking for a pillow that’s comfortable and affordable.
- Rate: 9.7/10
- Shape: U-shaped
- Firmness: Soft
- Warranty: N/A
- Price: $77.47Check the latest prices before purchasing as they are subject to change over time
The pillow is u-shaped, providing contoured support for the back, legs, neck, and belly, making it a perfect fit for those suffering from neck and lumbar pain.
It’s made of non-allergen, soft, high-density cotton that is easy to adjust and won’t make any noise that might disturb your sleep when you turn or move around during the night.
The pillowcase cover is removable and machine-washable and you can customise the pillow’s thickness by adjusting the filler.
2. Meiz C Shaped Maternity Pillow: Best For Back Sleepers
The Meiz pillow for pregnancy is a great pick for back sleepers and those who often change sleeping positions during the night.
PROS:
- Available in 11 colours
- Adjustable height
- Hypoallergenic velvet material
CONS:
Bulky
Rate: 9.6/10
Shape: C
Firmness: Soft
Warranty: Exchange guarantee
Price: From $103.30Check the latest prices before purchasing as they are subject to change over time
This pillow can provide spine and hip support or belly and knee support, depending on how you use it. The filling is soft and made of polyester, which retains the fluffiness, and you can adjust it to your preferred height.
The best part about the Meiz C-shaped pillow is that it’s detachable. You can turn it into a J-shaped pillow that takes less space and/or into a nursing pillow for more comfortable breastfeeding sessions.
3. Yana Sleep Pillow: Best Value for Money
What makes the Yana pillow the best pregnancy pillow is that it’s semi-flexible. It can be twisted, twirled, and tied and you can use it while sitting, sleeping, or lounging.
PROS:
- Two detachable parts
- 7D polyester filling for fluffiness
- Light
CONS:
May not be long enough for tall women
Rating: 9/10
Shape: U
Firmness: Adjustable
Warranty: N/A
Price: $476.48Check the latest prices before purchasing as they are subject to change over time
The pillow also has a U shape that’s designed to hug the curves of your body, regardless of the position you’re in.
When it comes to quality (and comfort) the brand offers two fill types: cotton and cooling gel– which you can choose between when you make the order. Both fill types cost the same, are suitable for sensitive skin, and are adjustable, so you can make the pillow softer or firmer.
4. Ultimate Total Body Support Pregnancy Pillow: Best for Overall Support
Contoured to hug your body, the Ultimate Total Body Support Pillow is especially useful for pregnant people in the second and third trimesters.
Cooling materials
Removable cover with two sides
Two filler options
Heavy
Rating: 8.8/10
Shape: U
Firmness: Medium
Warranty: 12-month warranty
Price: $329Check the latest prices before purchasing as they are subject to change over time
The “U” shape of the pillow offers full body support. That means it will relieve any muscle tension and pain in the upper- and lower- back, shoulder, and pelvis, especially for those who have fallen into pregnancy with pre-existing hip, lumbar, and neck pain.
This pregnancy sleeping pillow is firm enough to keep your limbs supported while you rest, but also while watching TV, reading, or even after delivery and during breastfeeding.
What’s more, it comes with a free white cover and is made of 100% polyester ball fibres, which are easy to wash.
5. Butterfly Maternity Pillow With Cover: Best For Side Sleepers
If you’re not a fan of large pillows that take up a lot of space on your bed, then your best bet is the Butterfly Maternity Pillow.
Oeko-Tex Class I Certified
Free cover
Washable and lasting loft
Might be too firm for some people
Rating: 8.5/10
Shape: Wedge
Firmness: Super soft
Warranty: 12-month warranty
Price: $127 Check the latest prices before purchasing as they are subject to change over time
This wedge-shaped maternity body pillow provides back and bump support for ultimate comfort in every trimester, making it the perfect pillow for side sleepers.
The pillow is filled with Japara Cotton and Comfort Fil fibre balls, which allow it to adjust to your form, reduce pressure in the back, and give you enough space to turn and reposition from one side to the other with ease.
It also comes with a cover (available in blue, pink, and white) that’s made of durable polyester and natural comfort, for better breathability.
Buyer’s Guide
One of the main reasons why experts recommend getting a pregnancy belly pillow is that pregnant people need quality rest– even more so than normal.
Doesn’t take a lot of bed space
Non-allergenic
Can be used for breastfeeding
No leg support
You Might be Interested: The Best Pillows in Australia
Going through pregnancy, your body changes, and it can be frustrating if if you don’t manage to get a good night’s sleep because your pillow and mattress is suddenly too firm or too soft or too hot.
To make sure you get that extra few hours in, you’ll need the right pillow by your side. Here’s everything you need to consider when shopping for a pregnancy pillow.
Shape
Pregnancy pillows come in different shapes and sizes to help target different aches and pains associated with pregnancy. They include:
- Wedge-shaped: Back and belly support.
- Bean-shaped: Localised support.
- J-shaped: Hips and lower-back support.
- U-shaped: Full-body support.
- C-shaped: Back, leg, and bump support.
Size
C-shaped and U-shaped pillows provide full-body support, but they take up a lot of real estate on your bed and can be bulky, meaning it would be quite the task to move them from the bed to the coach, especially in the third trimester.
Wedge-, bean-, and J-shaped pillows, on the other hand, don’t take much space and are light, but you’ll be giving up the full body support for that extra space, and to go along with different mattress size.
Pillow Covers
Most maternity body pillows have cotton or polyester covers.
Cotton covers are soft, easy to maintain, and a good pick for “hot sleepers” and those who get occasional hot flashes.
On the other hand, polyester covers are more durable, wrinkle-resistant, and dry quickly.
Filling
The right filling of the pregnancy body pillow can make all the difference. The most common fillers for pregnancy fillers are:
- Memory foams adjust to the curves of your body and have a medium firmness.
- Polyester fiberfill is hypoallergenic, soft, and breathable.
- Microbeads are soft and adjustable but can be noisy.
- Polyfoam is durable and takes longer to heat up.
Another thing to look for is whether you can remove some filling from your pillow– if that’s the case, you would be able to adjust the height of the pillow to your preference.
Maintenance
Most pillows for pregnant people can be tossed in the washer to keep the maintenance low-key. You should also look for a pillow that comes with a removable cover.
Warranty
Most pillow manufacturers offer a standard one-year warranty for a pregnancy sleeping pillow, unlike the general pillow with a recommendation for ultimate support and comfort to replace it after one or two years.
Keep in mind that the warranty covers defects and not physical damage and you might void your warranty by opening the product, so make sure to check the fine print before making a purchase.
Bottom Line
Pregnancy comes with a myriad of unexpected joys and discomforts. Although they vary from one person to another, one thing is sure– as your belly grows, sleep becomes more challenging and a good pregnancy belly pillow might just help with that.
Read our Guide for all types of sleepers to further improve your sleep health.
Luckily, there are many maternity pillows available on the market. To find the right one for you, look for the right shape, material, and lastly, size.
1. Which is better C or U-shaped pregnancy pillow?
If you regularly toss and turn during your sleep then a U-shaped pillow is the better choice. C-shaped pillows are slightly smaller and offer the same extended support, but you’ll have to turn the pillow with you.
2. Is it worth buying a pregnancy pillow?
Getting a pregnancy pillow is not medically necessary, but it’s worth the investment if you have trouble sleeping. A maternity pillow will keep your neck, back, and hips aligned, take the pressure off the joints, and prevent any unnecessary movement.
3. Which type of pregnancy pillow is best?
The best pregnancy pillow is the one that addresses your pain points. C-shaped and U-shaped pillows provide full body support but they take up a lot of space. If you’re looking to support a specific area, you should opt for a wedged-shaped or a J-shaped pillow.
