10 of the best pregnancy pillows

Best pregnancy pillows at a glance:

• Best for shaping around your body: Bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow, £145
• Best for side sleeping: Dreamgenii Pregnancy & Feeding Support Pillow, £42
• Best for customisation: Niimo U-Shaped Gamma Pregnancy Pillow, £40
• Best for pregnancy and nursing: BellaMoon Full Moon 7-in-1 Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow, £179.99
• Best for firm support: ClevaMama Therapeutic Body & Bump Maternity Pillow, £64.99
• Best for keeping you cool: Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow, £65
• Best for softness: Silentnight Body Support Pillow, £35
• Best for sleeping on your front: Belloost Pillow, £147
• Best affordable: Ikea Nijlika Pillow, £12
• Best value pack: Slumberdown V-Shaped Pillow, £28 for 2 pack

Do I need a pregnancy pillow?

One of the things you’ll hear a lot from other people when pregnant is “Make sure you get plenty of sleep now!” but the quest for a decent night’s sleep once your bump starts to grow isn’t always that straightforward. Pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to help you find the most comfortable – and safe – sleeping position, for plenty of much-needed rest.

jAs your body changes, you’ll find the weight of your bump and the pressure this puts on your hips can be quite uncomfortable when lying on your side. A pregnancy pillow can be tucked under your bump and between your knees to alleviate this weight and discomfort, as well as help to avoid back pain and sciatica as your pregnancy progresses and your bump grows. Of course, you can use a normal pillow between your knees and behind your back, but for me, a pregnancy pillow was the best investment I made when I was expecting my first baby – and I still miss it!

What to look for when buying a pregnancy pillow

Size – Some pregnancy pillows – in particular U-shaped or wrap-around pillows – can take up a lot of room in bed, not leaving much space for your partner! They also can be hard to store away. If this is going to be an issue it’s worth looking at some of the more compact models on offer, that still offer a level of support without taking up so much space.

Support – You might want some firm support for your bump and knees, or maybe you prefer a softer, squidgy pillow to mould around your body. There are plenty of options to suit.

Care – If you’re going to be using the pillow every night while pregnant, you’re going to want to be able to wash it! Most pregnancy pillows have removable covers you can chuck in the washing machine – some even come with spares so you don’t have to do a speedy wash and dry before bedtime – and some pillows can be machine washed too.

Multi-use – A lot of pregnancy pillows can be used as nursing pillows once your baby is born. These help get your baby in a good position, take the weight off your scar if you’ve had a c-section birth and offer arm support.

Price – The price of pregnancy pillows varies widely, and the difference in price comes down to a number of factors. These include materials, support, size and whether they can be used for multiple purposes. More expensive pillows are likely to be more mouldable and adaptable.

Here’s our pick of the best pregnancy pillows...

1. Bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow, £145

– Best for shaping around your body

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 150cm x 20cm

With a beanbag feel, this super-soft cushion is perfect for moulding around you and staying in shape as you sit, lie and sleep – you can even adjust the firmness of the pillow to suit your preference by moving the pebble discs at each end up and down. The clever filling also helps keep you cool at night, which is a big plus during the warmer months.

This was such a popular choice in our parent tester group and many agreed that, although it’s pricey, the bbhugme pregnancy pillow really did offer plenty of support when sleeping. Parent tester Emily commented, "I have tried loads of pregnancy pillows and in all honesty the dream one for me was the BBHugme pillow! The fact you can change the firmness of it was amazing. Sometimes you want something firm and sometimes soft, sometimes under your bump or just your knees – it did it all! It was expensive so I totally was skeptical but it’s been a godsend and I’ve used it daily through 2 pregnancies and for months after! Recommend 10000%".

Parent tester Megan says "Worth every single penny! I bought it when I was 10 weeks pregnant and I’m still using it now and my baby is 9 months old! My husband and I argue over it every night because it’s so comfy!" Another parent tester said "it helped my sciatica which I had at the end of my pregnancy" says Tessa.

Due to its mouldable shape, this can even be coiled into a doughnut shape to allow you to sleep on your stomach (with your bump in the hole), but our testers reported this wasn't as comfortable as you'd expect.

Available in a choice of colours, the covers are made from the softest eco-friendly cotton and can be removed easily for machine washing. The pillow – designed by three female chiropractors – will see you beyond pregnancy too, as it doubles-up as a nursing pillow. MFM Consumer & Commerce editor Gemma says, "I used this for at least a year after my son was born; for feeding, for back support and just for getting comfy on the sofa!"

Pros: Adjustable firmness, keeps you cool, can be used postbirth
Cons: Expensive, stomach sleep position isn't great

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow.

Available from: Amazon and John Lewis

2. Dreamgenii Pregnancy & Feeding Support Pillow, £42

– Best for side-sleeping / compact size

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 102cm x 77cm

If you usually prefer to sleep on your back, this is a great pillow for helping keep you on your left side as you snooze, thanks to its clever design. Another popular choice in our parent tester group, this pillow is shaped like a ‘7’. There’s a long length of pillow to support your bump, knees and legs, a flat, unpadded section for you to lie on and a small back support to keep you in place. Size-wise, it’s not as big as some of the others in our round-up, and our parent tester Rhiannon said it fitted in the bed no problem, along with her 6ft 3in husband. Although on the contrary, parent tester Georg found that due to her 5ft1 frame "it felt like it was bigger than me! Even apart from the baby bump."

As far as comfort goes, it got the thumbs up with tester Rhiannon adding, “It held me perfectly in place. I slept quickly and soundly and saw some improvement in my aches and pelvic pains in the morning.” Although she did find that it didn’t give her quite enough leg support.

With a mid-end price point, this doesn’t break the bank, and can also be used as a nursing pillow once you start feeding. The cover is machine washable and, if plain white isn’t your thing, there are some patterned alternatives you can buy separately.

Pros: Keeps you on your side, compact size
Cons: Not the firmest leg support, not for shorter people

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Dreamgenii Pregnancy and Feeding Support Pillow.

Available from: Amazon and Dreamgenii

3. Niimo U-Shaped Gamma Pregnancy Pillow, £40

– Best for customisation

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: ‎43.7cm x 33.2cm x 18.5cm

If you’re looking for multifunctional full-body support, the U-shaped design of the Niimo pillow is the ticket. Essentially a giant hug in pillow-form, this pillow consists of 3 parts that can be unzipped and customised as you wish. Parent tester Laura particularly praised "where the sections zip together, there is a flat part so you can tuck your arm under and 'cuddle' the pillow without it going numb!" It has a breathable cotton outer layer to keep you cool as you sleep, while providing support for your bump, legs, knees, hips, neck and back all at the same time.

With 2 design options to pick from – grey or pink – Laura also says "it comes beautifully packaged so would make a lovely baby shower gift." Priced in the middle of the options on our list, it seems to be a good investment especially if you're not able to afford the higher priced options on our list.

Parent tester Laura, who tested it while 30 weeks pregnant, said the zips on the pillow were quite fiddly to do and undo when joining them altogether but overall, the Niimo pillow helped her sleep better. "It's very well made, very plump but not too firm, I can't see it going saggy anytime soon. I suffer with SPD (pelvic girdle pain) and don't tend to sleep during pregnancy (this is my second), but I got a much better night's sleep using this. By being detachable, I found that I could place it between my knees as advised by my physiotherapist to keep my pelvis aligned."

Pros: Detachable, customisable, breathable
Cons: Fiddly zips

Available from: Amazon and Niimo

4. BellaMoon Full Moon 7-in-1 Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow, £179.99

– Best for pregnancy and nursing

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing, baby recliner | Size: up to 140cm x 100cm | Award: Gold – Pregnancy/maternity pillow, MadeForMums Awards 2022

Made up of 5 different pieces that can be zipped together in lot of different ways, this multi-use offering from BellaMoon can see you right through pregnancy, breastfeeding and your baby’s first months as a tummy time pillow and baby recliner.

As a pregnancy pillow the Full Moon offers plenty of firm support and our MFM reviewer Cat enjoyed using it as her pregnancy progressed. She said, “the support is really targeted and as it’s much narrower than a normal pillow it takes up less space width-ways in the bed.”

The attractive grey and white polka dot cover also got the thumbs up from Cat, who added, “I was impressed with how smart the BellaMoon looked – it’s the sort of thing you would be happy to leave on the sofa even if guests were round.” Although it’s worth noting she did find it fiddly to zip all the different parents together, so it may take some practice to get used to.

Pros: Multi-use, targeted support
Cons: Fiddly to mix and match, expensive

Read our full MadeForMums review of the BellaMoon Full Moon Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow.

Available from: Scandiborn and BellaMoon

5. ClevaMama Therapeutic Body & Bump Maternity Pillow, £74.99

– Best for firm support

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 135cm x 65cm x 15cm

This full body pillow has an ergonomic design that follows the natural curve of your body, supporting all those areas that need it most, like the neck, bump, pelvis and knees. The firm support makes it a great choice for mums-to-be suffering from SPD (Symphysis pubis dysfunction). It’s certainly the biggest pillow we tested, easily taking up half a double bed, so although it offered serious comfort our testers also commented on how it was rather bulky and tricky to store.

The pillow comes with a plain white, 100% breathable cotton cover that can be washed in the machine when needed and it also doubles as a nursing pillow. As parent tester Lizzy summed it up, “It’s an excellent all-round pillow that provides tons of support and comfort. The only thing I would change is to make it lighter but I would recommend it to any expectant mother!”

Pros: Full body support, fits all body sizes
Cons: Tricky to move at night, very large and quite heavy

Available from: Amazon, Smyths Toys and ClevaMama

6. Purflo Breathe Pregnancy Pillow, £69

– Best for keeping you cool

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 43cm x 116cm

It figures that if you’re growing a human inside you, you’re going to feel a little hot now and then. The last thing you want is a pregnancy pillow that’s going to make you feel so overheated you want to fling the windows open in the middle of winter, which is why we rate this smart pillow so much. Featuring Purflo’s fancy breathable materials, it really does help keep you cool at night – there’s a whole lot of science behind it, but quite frankly we just think it’s magic.

The ergonomic shape offers complete support when you sleep, and the ultra-soft jersey cotton feels great to snuggle up to. It also makes a brilliant feeding pillow and can even be used for tummy time when your baby is a little older. We really rate the stylish botanical print design, but if you prefer a more minimalist style, there’s a simple dove grey cover to choose from too. Parent tester Anna commented, "I really liked mine and it had a washable cover which was good – it was really cosy. My dog loved it too!"

Pros: Breathable material, multi-use, looks great
Cons: No back support when lying down

Available from: Amazon and PurFlo

7. Silentnight Body Support Pillow, £35

– Best for softness

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 147cm x 48cm

This Silentnight pillow is a firm favourite with mums-to-be thanks to its amazingly supportive padding, extra-long length (making it a great fit whatever height or size you are) and super-soft material.

Unlike many other pregnancy pillows, this is a straight forward rectangle shape and although it’s a great companion from early pregnancy, it’s the mid to late stages when this incredibly comfortable sleep aid will become your best friend. Providing support for your back, neck, hips or bump, it’s really versatile but keep in mind you’ll need a lot of space for it. MFM Reviews and Consumer Editor Christy said, “There’s no way around the fact this is a large, bulky pillow – it’s pretty much the size of another person.”

Coming in much cheaper than many of the other pillows in our selection, it is great value for money, something echoed by our parent tester Stacie. She said, “For the price I wasn’t expecting the pillow to be a 10/10, but it is! The super soft pillow and case makes it feel so expensive and comfy.”

Pros: Affordable, complete body support, versatile
Cons: Large, can’t buy additional pillow cases

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Silentnight Body Support Pillow.

Available from: Silentnight, Argos and Very

8. Belloost Pillow, £147

– Best for sleeping on your front

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 77cm x 52cm x 19cm

Calling all devoted front sleepers – if you’re left wondering how on earth you’re going to sleep now your bump is starting to get bigger, we’ve found the perfect solution! The Belloost pillow has detachable parts to create a comfy and snug cocoon for your pregnant belly as you lie on your front, while gently stretching your spine to relieve muscle and joint pain. Now that’s what you call a multi-tasker!

Although it’s not recommended to sleep all night on your front – the left side is still the safest – the Belloost does offer the chance to mix things up and provide a safe alternative for around 20-30 minutes at a time. MFM tester Elisa commented, “That comfy, cosy feeling of being able to lie on my front was bliss. So natural and relaxing without putting pressure on my bump.”

With a price tag at the highest end of the market, it’s certainly an investment buy, but this memory foam pillow has a lot to offer, not least the chance to get comfy and request a pregnancy back massage from your partner.

Pros: Only front-sleeping pillow on the market, comfy memory foam filling, detachable side sleeping aid
Cons: Expensive, should only be used for 30 minutes at a time as a front-sleeper

Available from: Belloost

9. Ikea Nejlika Pillow, £12

– Best budget buy

Type: Pregnancy support, nursing | Size: 74cm x 75 cm

What you see is what you get with this Ikea pregnancy pillow. It's a v-shaped pillow and despite the basic design, it still provides comfortable support for your growing body during pregnancy. At such an affordable price, this is perfect if like parent tester Nirali you don't "have the budget for other pricey ones that are highly recommended. I also tried quite a few during my first pregnancy but this came out to be a winner."

Parent tester Emma also commented, "It's not expensive and that meant I was able to buy a few spare covers for it. It washed well too. It was maybe not as firm as others I have seen but I preferred that – nicer to snuggle in to while pregnant and softer for my baba to rest on while feeding." When it comes to care, you can simply pop the pillow in the washing machine to keep it clean and looking fresh again.

Pros: Affordable, compact, machine washable
Cons: Very basic, not as firm

Available from: Ikea

10. Slumberdown V-Shaped Pillow, £28 for 2 pack

– Best value pack

Type: Pregnancy support | Size: 84cm x 35cm

This no frills offering from trusted pillow and duvet brand, Slumberdown, may not look much, but at £28 it’s a decent pregnancy support pillow at a value price.

As you might expect, the pillow is a simple V-shape, which can offer support under your bump or between your knees during pregnancy as you sleep and help to prop you up when sitting (especially useful after a c-section birth). The pack also comes with 4 pillow cases and all of these including the pillow can go in the washing machine and tumble drier.

It’s certainly the cheapest in our selection, but is it worth it? Parent tester Sarah thinks it is, “You’re definitely aware that the filling is synthetic, however I love that you can stick the whole thing in the washing machine. It will certainly last the pregnancy and at least 6 months of breastfeeding. Compared to other pregnancy pillows it’s brilliant value for money."

Pros: Affordable, compact, whole pillow is machine washable
Cons: Basic, not very stylish, synthetic feel

Read the full MadeForMums Slumber Down V-Shaped Pillow review

Available from: Amazon

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