A maternity pillow is a dream gift for most mothers to be and for those in the postpartum period. They provide an abundance of comfort during a time when discomforts are often a daily occurrence.
Knowing how essential a maternity pillow is, we’ve put together the seven best of the best so mothers out there can experience this gift from the maternal goddess.
Why it’s great: Having a full body pillow fashioned in a c-shaped design with a cotton cover is mommy heaven. We’re talking spine and hip alignment, relief for tired and swollen feet, support for head, neck, and belly, neutralizing joint positions, and the ability to feed your little one conveniently with one pillow.
The memory foam is extra soft, hypoallergenic, and breathable for comfort, but highly dense for support and longevity. Moms can even sleep on it like it’s their own personal cloud. You can also remove some of the padding if you don’t want it to be too fluffy (or add more!) by opening the smooth zipper.
You’re delivered this velvet-covered pillow in an eco-friendly (reusable) compression bag that’s portable, too. After a day or two, it’ll open to its fullest shape and potential. The cover is also machine washable if it ever gets messy. Choose from gray, gray with blue, or silver with gray to complement any bedroom decor.
Keep in mind: This is a full-body semicircular c-shaped pillow measuring 53 inches (length) x 25.6 inches (width), and it weighs 5.99 pounds.
Good for: Pregnant women, breastfeeding, sleeping, lounging, and gifting.
Why it’s great: Whether pregnant or in need of maternity support, this pillow delivers. During pregnancy, side sleeping is a must for almost all mothers if rest is expected. This pillow keeps you on your side during the night, and it’s great for naps, too. It surrounds your body and belly to reduce pressure and alleviate lower back aches and pain.
The c-shaped design flows with one’s curves to support the entire body. However, you can reshape it into a footrest or wedge pillow to enjoy reading, watching TV, or a hobby like sewing. The dense polyester filling keeps it fluffy and full for all your maternity needs. It does come vacuum sealed so let it sit for a few hours to completely rise and set.
You’ll get great value for your money with this soft and comfortable pillow. It’s machine washable cover won’t fade or shrink. You can order it gray or dark gray.
Keep in mind: This is a full-body, c-shaped pillow measuring 57 inches (length) x 30 inches (width) x 7 inches (height), and it weighs 6.1 pounds. It’s best for queen and king beds.
Good for: Pregnancy, lounging, and improving sleep.
Why it’s great: Find comfort for your belly, back, hips, and legs with this full-body u-shaped pillow. With a unique detachable option, you can customize this pillow to support your needs.
Use the full body method for all-around hold, basic support without the detachable to save space while getting some support, the belly and legs option to align your spine and increase circulation in the legs, or the bookworm positioning for head and neck support while using electronics and reading.
Its cover can be zipped or unzipped, and it’s durable, lasting for over 300 washes. It’s made of cotton and is long-lasting. The polyfill inside gets more comfortable when the weight is increased. Don’t worry about it ripping like other pillows because it’s double seamed for extra longevity from pregnancy through postpartum.
You’re able to try this comfortable, versatile, and durable pillow risk-free with a lifetime guarantee, too! It comes in nine (9) colors including gray, blue, pink, and star pattern.
Keep in mind: This is a full-body, u-shaped pillow measuring 53 inches (length) x 31 inches (width) x 7 inches (height), and it weighs 2.96 kilograms.
Good for: Pregnant women, surgery recovery, body support, and nursing.
Why it’s great: This ergonomic u-shaped pillow offers many benefits. It mirrors the pregnant body’s curves, which means it has support built-in all the right places. You’ll find relief from common pregnancy ailments and pains such as sciatica and gastric reflux while sleeping, or when used for other purposes like nursing, watching TV, or on the floor postpartum.
Your whole body will feel good when using this pillow thanks to the sateen cover. It’s not only removable and washable, but it’s naturally cooling, breathable, durable, and incredibly soft and smooth. Adjust the filling as needed to get what you need out of this maternity pillow.
You have ample colors to choose from, such as purple, gray, blues, and more, plus color combinations like white and purple, or gray and blue to make it fit any room in the house.
Keep in mind: This is a full-body, u-shaped pillow measuring 60 inches (length) x 31 inches (width) x 7 inches (height), and it weighs 7.7 pounds..
Good for: Sleeping, pregnancy, lounging, nursing, comfort, and support.
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Why it’s great: For those who want a full-body pillow that doesn’t take up the space your partner needs, this maternity pillow is an excellent alternative to meeting your maternity needs while saving space.
The j-shape is designed to support the head at the top, the neck and belly along the middle, and the legs at the bottom. It’s easy to adjust where more comfort and support are needed to reduce or eliminate pain. It also promotes side sleeping, which helps regulate the flow of circulation from you to your baby.
The double zippers provide an extra touch of durability for removing the washable, cooling, and breathable pillowcase, which is also comfy, hypoallergenic, and feels great on the skin. The fiberfill is fluffy yet resilient against wrinkling with the elasticity to bounce back to form during and after use.
This lightweight pillow can also easily be molded for other uses such as reading or relaxing on the couch.
Keep in mind: Comes only in gray. This is a full-body j-shaped pillow measuring 40 inches (length) x 28 inches (width) x 7 inches (height), and it weighs 4.4 pounds.
Good for: Saving space on the bed, side sleeping, and lounging.
Why it’s great: Whether sleeping, breastfeeding, or just sitting, this v-shaped pillow offers the support your body and your baby need with extra lower back and neck support. This helps you maintain the right posture and prevent pain. You’ll enjoy the quality of this pillow that’s backed by studies to bring you luxurious comfort.
The pillowcase is made of certified 100% hypoallergenic cotton with a 100% polyester filling that’s noiseless, and that maintains its shape use after use. Both the pillowcase and padding can be washed.
It’s certified as ergonomic and hypoallergenic, and it’s considered a medical device any mother can use to improve maternity, such as for cervical and lumbar support. You can also tie the strings to support you and your baby during nursing.
Keep in mind: Comes only in gray with white polka dots. This is a smaller-sized full-body v-shaped pillow measuring 84.65 inches (length) x 8.27 inches (width) x 3.94 inches (height), and it weighs pounds.
Good for: New moms, nursing, support, and alignment.
Why it’s great: This cuddle pillow is excellent for prenatal and postpartum use. It provides the support your pregnant body needs without taking up all the bed space. The soft pillow fabric keeps you cool and comfortable all night or during daytime use. The cover is removable and machine washable, too.
This lightweight, plush and contoured pillow supports your bump, back, hip, chest, and shoulders all in a compact size. The pillow is 80% polyester and 20% cotton, the slipcover is 100% rayon, and the filling is 100% bamboo sourced polyester fiber. It’s versatile, supportive, and safe to use the Boppy pillow.
Keep in mind: Comes only in a gray weaved pattern. This is a medium-sized body pillow measuring 20 inches (length) x 16 inches (width) x 5.5 inches (height), and it weighs 2.72 pounds.
Good for: Saving space and body alignment.
The Chilling Home Pregnancy C-Shaped Body Pillow is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
Both terms are used interchangeably and thus mean the same thing.
When your body begins to show your bump, typically about 20 weeks into pregnancy, you can get a pregnancy pillow. The weight difference can start to strain your body at this time.
Some women don’t need it until a few months in when they begin to experience certain pregnancy symptoms like sciatica. Others keep their pillow during recovery and nursing or get one during the postnatal period.
Maternity pillows are wonderful to use for many reasons. They’re thoughtfully designed to alleviate many of the discomforts and pains that come with pregnancy thanks to the extra support of their filling. They help with postpartum recovery and assist with breastfeeding and nursing.
It also helps you sleep better (especially keeping you on your side), improves circulation, and they’re portable.
Outer material: Look for comfortable, soft, breathable, and malleable materials such as cotton or polyester.
Filling: Seek fillings that are firm enough to support but soft enough to be long lasting such as polyester.
Cleaning: Machine washable covers (that are removable) are extremely helpful as your pillow will get dirty, especially during nursing. If the filling can be washed as well, that will help keep it fresh. Otherwise, you can leave it in the morning sun to refresh it.
Size: Pregnancy pillows range from full body size to small depending on your needs. Think of the areas you need support with, how portable you need it to be, and how much room it’ll take up on your bed. Will your partner have room? Can it accommodate your baby when they arrive?
Shape: Shapes include C, J, V, U, wedge, and other forms. To understand how each shape works, see the next question.
C-shape: Contours to the natural curvature of the body, thus supporting your body from the neck down for full-body support. Place part of the c between your legs to prevent rolling and/or to cradle your belly. Wrap it all the way around your body during nursing.
U-shaped: Said to provide a balance between comfort and support for your whole body. It encircles you a little better than a c-shaped pillow.
V-shaped: Quite similar to the u-shaped pillow but with more support focused on the lower back in the middle.
J-shaped: Great for saving space on the bed while still functioning as a full body pillow like the c and u-shaped pillows.
Wedge/Other: The Boppy pillow on our list is shaped like a comma. It’s also a space saver that’s more portable and easier to adjust to the area you need support with.
There’s much stress when it comes to pregnancy, but there are equally many tools to assist in making the experience easier. Maternity pillows are one among many things that make pregnancy and postpartum easier. They provide the comfort and support your body needs as it creates and recovers from new life, so don’t hesitate to get one I’d you’re experiencing any problems.
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