U shaped body pillow: all-round support for side sleepers, pregnant or not
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- U-shaped body pillow with zippered removable cover. Best for: Side sleepers with a queen or king bed. See options on Amazon
- U-shaped pillow with fiberfill and breathable cover. Best for: Warm sleepers who want the U shape. See options on Amazon
- Straight body pillow (space-saving alternative). Best for: People with a full bed or a partner who needs room. See options on Amazon
- C-shaped body pillow. Best for: People who want back support but less bulk than a U. See options on Amazon
Not just a pregnancy pillow
U pillows are sold mostly as pregnancy pillows, but the shape works for anyone who sleeps on their side. The Sleep Foundation names U, C and rectangular as the main body pillow shapes and says U and C give fuller body cradling, while a rectangle supports one side only. It lists side sleepers, people with back pain, people recovering from surgery, and those with chronic pain among those who may benefit from body pillows. If you are pregnant, see the U-shaped pregnancy pillow guide instead.
Who it suits
- Side sleepers who roll onto their back. The back arm of the U acts as a gentle stop.
- Stomach sleepers trying to switch to their side. The Sleep Foundation suggests placing a long body pillow on either side of your body to make it harder to roll onto your stomach. A U does that in one piece.
- People with back or hip discomfort. Mayo Clinic suggests side sleepers draw their legs up slightly with a pillow between the knees, or use a full-length body pillow. The front arm of a U gives your top knee and arm a place to rest.
- People who like to feel held. Some simply find being surrounded calming.
Who should skip it: the Sleep Foundation says exclusive back sleepers get uneven support from body pillows. Hot sleepers and people who share a small bed may also find a U too much.
Bed space is the deal-breaker
A U pillow spreads across one person's side of the bed with arms on both sides of you. The Sleep Foundation lists a full mattress at 54 by 75 inches, a queen at 60 by 80 inches, and a king at 76 by 80 inches. On a full, a U leaves very little for a partner. On a queen, it works if your partner does not mind a wall between you. A king is the easiest fit.
Before ordering, measure your half of the bed and compare it with the pillow's listed width and length. If space is tight, a straight body pillow, which the Sleep Foundation says usually runs 48 to 54 inches long, gives front support in a fraction of the room. See full body pillows.
Fill, heat and cleaning
| Concern | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Support | Memory foam (solid or shredded) or polyfoam contours; latex is buoyant; polyester fiber is lighter and softer |
| Heat | The Sleep Foundation says memory foam is often prone to trapping heat, while fiber, latex and down are more breathable |
| Weight | The Sleep Foundation says body pillows typically weigh 5 to 7 pounds, and a large U can be heavier to lift and turn |
| Cleaning | A removable cover is close to essential; the Sleep Foundation says foam is often spot-clean only |
Being surrounded on two sides means heat builds faster than with a straight pillow. If you run warm, see cooling body pillows.
How to lie in it
- Put the closed bend at the head of the bed. Use it as your head pillow if it is the right height, or put your own pillow on top.
- Lie on your side between the arms. Hug the front arm and rest your top knee on it at hip height.
- Let the back arm rest along your spine.
- To turn over, roll toward the other arm. The support is already there.
What to look for when you buy
U-shaped body pillow with zippered removable cover
Best for: Side sleepers with a queen or king bed
Support runs along your front and back, so you can turn over without moving it, and a removable cover makes washing practical.
Watch out: Bulky. Measure your side of the bed first.
See options on AmazonU-shaped pillow with fiberfill and breathable cover
Best for: Warm sleepers who want the U shape
The Sleep Foundation says fiber fills are typically more breathable than memory foam.
Watch out: Fiberfill softens and flattens over time and needs fluffing.
See options on AmazonStraight body pillow (space-saving alternative)
Best for: People with a full bed or a partner who needs room
The Sleep Foundation says most body pillows are 48 to 54 inches long, enough to hug and rest a knee on.
Watch out: No support behind you. Add a second pillow if you roll back.
See options on AmazonC-shaped body pillow
Best for: People who want back support but less bulk than a U
A C gives head, one side of the body, and knee support with a smaller footprint.
Watch out: It has to be turned when you switch sides.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Is a U-shaped body pillow only for pregnancy?
- No. Anyone who sleeps on their side can use one, especially people who roll onto their back or stomach in the night.
- What size bed do I need for a U-shaped pillow?
- A queen or king is the comfortable fit. The Sleep Foundation lists a full mattress at 54 inches wide, which leaves little room for a partner.
- Can a U-shaped pillow stop me sleeping on my stomach?
- It can help. The Sleep Foundation suggests a body pillow on either side of you to make rolling onto your stomach harder, and a U does that in one piece.
- Is a U-shaped body pillow good for back sleepers?
- Not usually. The Sleep Foundation says exclusive back sleepers get uneven support from body pillows.
Sources
- Best Body Pillows (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-pillows/best-body-pillow), Sleep Foundation
- Mattress Sizes 101: Finding Your Perfect Fit (www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-sizes), Sleep Foundation
- Is Sleeping on Your Stomach Bad? (www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeping-positions/sleeping-on-stomach), Sleep Foundation
- Sleeping positions that reduce back pain (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
- Back pain (nhs.uk), NHS