What is the best pregnancy pillow?My tests put the Cushy Puff on top, as I loved the flexibility of its I-shape design for use before and after birth. If you’re looking for something that can provide more specialist support, pillows such as the body-aligning SnuzCurve and cooling Simba body pillow are good options. Alternatively, for something that can offer more general comfort overnight, the budget-friendly Silentnight’s body support pillow may appeal.As with all our mother and baby review articles here at IndyBest, the products were tested in situ by real mums-to-be and new mums – in this case, me. Additional testing assistance was provided by my husband and my toddler, who now refuses to sleep unless she has a pregnancy pillow in bed with her. Below you’ll find my – or should I say, our – requirements for the pregnancy pillows that landed a spot in this guide:Comfort: The most important factor of all, these pillows had to be genuinely comfortable.Support: As well as comfort, I wanted these pillows to provide ergonomic support for my back during pregnancy, postpartum, and to support my baby while feeding.Breathability: Whether you’re naturally a hot sleeper or experiencing postpartum night sweats, these pillows had to keep me cool at night. Practicality: Bonus points went to pillows with adjustable fillers and shapes, which suit different sleep styles and help you move from pregnancy to motherhood.Style: I wanted pillows that could work well with room decor, too. Storage: While the best pillows help throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and for the first few months of your newborn’s life, I wanted pillows that are easy to store in cupboards in between pregnancies. Cleaning: As with any pillow, these pillows had to be easy to keep clean and hygienic. What to look for in a pregnancy pillowThere are several things to consider when shopping for a pregnancy pillow:Design – There are different styles available, depending on the support you require. A U-shaped pillow is often the size of your body and can be wrapped around you. C-shaped designs, on the other hand, curve around your body to help ease pressure on your back and bump when sleeping on your side. There are also smaller, wedge-like pillows that tend to support one particular area, such as your pelvis or back.Size – Pregnancy pillows tend to be quite large, so if you don’t want yours to take up your entire bed, I recommend looking at wedge-shaped designs.Material – Keep an eye out for breathable fabric, such as cotton, if you tend to get warm at night. It’s also worth bearing in mind what materials make up the pillow’s inner because, if you suffer from allergies, a hypoallergenic pillow may be necessary.How to sleep using a pregnancy pillowEvery pillow might have slightly different instructions for finding your most comfortable position, but most follow a U-shape design. Place the pillow in an upside-down U, lie in the middle, rest your head and neck on the top, and let it curve under your belly and between your legs. This helps support your neck, stomach, hips, and pelvis, making sleep much more comfortable.At what stage of pregnancy should you start using a pregnancy pillow?There’s no right answer to when you should start using a pregnancy pillow, as it’s really down to your own comfort levels. Generally, most people tend to pick one up during their second trimester, as this is when the belly becomes heavier and starts to pop, straining the rest of your body.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsThe Independent’s product reviews section, IndyBest, hosts product reviews from expert testers. Our knowledgeable reviewers use these products as you would in your own home to bring you an impartial list of the very best. IndyBest’s expert parenting writers have tested everything from baby monitors to high chairs and travel cots.Katie Byrne is an experienced parenting writer and product tester. She tested these pillows in the third trimester of her last pregnancy and postpartum to help you find options that are worth your money.Meet the expertsLeah Hazard is an expert midwife. She is the author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife’s Story (from £2.99, Amazon.co.uk) and host of the podcast What the Midwife Said.We’ve tested the best maternity and nursing bras for comfy underwear to support you through your pregnancy