Parenting Pointers: Main Features To Look For In Maternity Pillows

Maternity pillows are essential for any pregnant woman who has trouble sleeping at night because of back pains and other discomforts that come with the pregnancy. However, there are many types of pillows on the market, so focus on the features and the benefits that each type can bring into your life.

Total support, contoured, and memory pillows

Most women prefer a pillow that provides total body support, which is perfect for both relaxing and sleeping. Such pillows are made from soft and comfortable materials, and their covers are usually removable, zippered and machine washable. Pregnancy pillows can provide full support for your neck, back, hips and tummy, while keeping you from rolling on your back during sleep. Some pillows are developed by moms and nurses, who know what works best for relieving back and muscle pains, and for making your sleep more comfortable. Some women will keep using the pillow even after the baby is born, some for nursing and some for waking up refreshed and relaxed each morning.

If you are looking for even more comfort, try an all around body pillow. It provides a large head rest area and a shoulder support area to prevent muscle stiffness and pain; it is multi-functional because it follows the contours of your body.

If you need more sleeping positions, you can try a multi-position, contoured pillow that provides neck, back and leg support at the same time. These pillows are very soft and comfortable, and provide a unique shape and design with inner contours that follow the natural shape of a pregnant woman’s body to help support the belly, legs and hips. Moreover, contoured maternity pillows can also help prevent other pregnancy-related problems such as nasal congestion, heartburn or sciatica.

Contoured pillows can be readjusted so that you find the best sleep position; for example, you can use it to elevate your head or tuck the pillow between your knees to relieve the pressure on your joints. They can also help you get used to sleeping on one side, especially if you are a back sleeper, but don’t forget that contoured pillows are rather large and that makes them more suitable for a king sized bed. However, if your bed is rather small and you share it with your partner, a smaller maternity pillow may be more appropriate. Small and compact pillows are ideal for tight spaces because they are easy to maneuver in bed. They provide support and relief for essential areas such as the back and the tummy, and their small size makes them suitable for traveling as well.

If you are looking for a pillow that doesn’t flatten out but maintains its shape throughout the night, a memory pillow may be what you need. These pillows are affordable and don’t need readjusting during the night. They are filled with shredded foam that makes them plushy and prevents flattening. Memory pillows are firm, yet soft and comfortable enough to keep your body in a relaxed, natural position. Moreover, they can be fluffed up if you need more support or height for your back or other areas.