The Best Pregnancy Pillows for Comfortable Sleep During Baby Belly Growth

Any woman who has been pregnant can attest to the physical discomforts of those long nine months—the aches and pains, the frequent trips to the bathroom, and of course, the challenges of trying to get comfortable enough to sleep at night. As your pregnancy progresses and your baby belly expands, getting quality sleep becomes increasingly difficult. The extra weight in the abdomen area can cause strain on the neck, back, hips, and legs, making it nearly impossible to find a restful sleeping position. This is where pregnancy pillows can help provide much-needed support.

Specifically designed to conform to the natural curves of an expectant mother’s body, pregnancy pillows help alleviate pressure points and distribute weight evenly for maximum comfort. They also promote better spinal alignment and may even lead to longer periods of deep, uninterrupted REM sleep. As you consider the variety of shapes and styles available, one of the most versatile options to contend with an ever-changing baby belly is the pregnancy pillow butterfly design.  

What is a Pregnancy Pillow Butterfly?

A pregnancy pillow butterfly allows you to maintain comfort despite the frequent positional adjustments endured during all trimesters of pregnancy. Shaped like the wings of a butterfly, this pillow adapts to support you whether you sleep on your back, side, or bump. 

The central component of a butterfly pregnancy pillow is the torso section that goes under your back and belly for aligned spinal support and baby weight displacement. Then the two “wings” can be adjusted to tuck between your legs, wrap around your back, or even support your head and neck area if needed. The flexibility of this design essentially works to cradle you in customized comfort zones that evolve along with your baby's belly.

Benefits of Using a Pregnancy Butterfly Pillow

Provides proper head, neck, and shoulder support in any sleep position - The versatility of a butterfly pillow allows you to prop it exactly where extra support is needed most at the moment. The wings can be manipulated to cushion your head, neck, or shoulders regardless if you are resting on your side or back.

Alleviates general body aches and pain - By evenly distributing your body weight and supporting natural spinal alignment, pressure is lifted off hips, back, legs, and other regions prone to discomfort. This allows pregnant women the ability to get necessary deep restorative sleep.

Adaptable size accommodates growing baby belly - Butterfly pillows come in a range of sizes, with many featuring adjustable sections that can adapt along with your expanding abdomen. This minimizes the need to buy multiple pillows at different points in your pregnancy.

Enables rest in optimal side sleeping position - Doctors highly recommend sleeping on your left side during pregnancy, ideal for enhanced blood and nutrient flow. A butterfly pillow allows side sleeping women to maintain alignment in the safest, healthiest position for mom and baby. The design alleviates strain on organs and pressure on the vena cava blood vessel.

Transition pillow for postpartum recovery - After birth, a butterfly pillow continues to assist mothers during the recovery process, especially for vaginal or cesarean incision healing. Your body shape begins to normalize but still requires ample nighttime support.

Some butterfly pillows even do double-duty for baby care, designed with a detachable Tummy Time insert that lets your little one play and develop on a soft, angled cushion. While pregnancy pillow butterfly options accommodate all shapes and sizes, discuss any pillow use with your obstetrician. With your doctor’s approval, rest easy knowing a butterfly pillow’s dynamic, customizable support promotes healthy, comfortable sleep for you and your baby throughout every stage from pregnancy to postpartum.