Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain 2024

If there’s one thing moms could use more of it’s sleep, but getting comfortable when you finally get the kids down and are all settled into the bed at night can be rough, especially if you’re heavily pregnant. “During pregnancy and postpartum, moms undergo a vast amount of changes to their bodies, including weight gain, increased laxity of the ligaments and increased strain on muscles and joints,” says Chiropractor and Osteopath Dr. Liza Egbogah.

The best mattress toppers for back pain “help relieve pressure points in tender areas and provide comfort for a mom’s new body.” They also “support your spine and reduce the incidence of back pain.”

We spoke with two chiropractors who regularly work with pregnant and postpartum women to get the lowdown on what makes a great mattress topper, plus top-rated picks for every budget and sleep style. Here’s how to choose a mattress topper.

“A mattress topper is a layer of cushioning that can be placed on top of a mattress to increase the comfort and/or support of the mattress,” notes Egbogah. “They are usually made of foam, latex or fibre filled.” For moms experiencing back pain, a comfortable and supportive mattress topper can have many benefits. Here are some features to consider when shopping:

• Firmness: When you have back pain, Egbogah says the best type of mattress to sleep on is a medium firm mattress, which means the core of the mattress should be firm with 1 to 3 inches of cushioning at the top. “When you’re looking for a mattress topper you want one that will provide 1 to 3 inches of padded support.”
• Material: Midway through pregnancy and on, sleeping on your side may be your only option. “Memory foam offers support and cushioning for side sleepers, as it conforms to the body’s curves,” says Dr. Kevin Lees, D.C., Director of Chiropractic Operations at The Joint Chiropractic. “It also helps stop the transfer of motion, which may help couples sleep easier.” However, memory foam can be too warm for some, so “adding a cooling gel layer may be beneficial,” he notes.
• Breathability and cooling: Feeling hot and bothered in bed? You’re not alone. “With hormone fluctuations, moms may experience temperature changes at night, which means that during pregnancy and postpartum you’ll want a mattress topper with breathability,” says Egbogah. “Materials like natural latex tend to be more cooling while offering great support. Look for words like organic or ‘natural fibers’ when shopping.”

“The Saatva Natural Latex Mattress Topper is great for moms since it’s primarily made of natural latex, which is one of my favorite materials for spinal support,” says Egbogah. “It’s also covered with organic cotton, which is a bonus since pregnant and postpartum moms tend to get quite warm at night.”

It keeps you cool and fully supported, and Egbogah notes that it’s hypoallergenic too, making it safe for both mom and baby when your little one inevitably crawls into bed with you.

While this topper is suited for all types of sleepers, it’s especially great for moms who prefer to sleep on their backs. It has a buoyant and responsive feel and provides unparalleled pressure relief so you wake up feeling like a million bucks—or, you know, good enough to carry your crying baby without crying out in pain yourself.

• Provides excellent spinal support to relieve back pain
• Breathable and moisture-wicking organic cotton cover
• Hypoallergenic
• Durable
• Made of natural, eco-friendly and non-toxic latex
• 180-night home trial
• Our favorite choice for those suffering from back pain

• It’s expensive but the quality is unmatched

This 100% memory foam topper is like sleeping on a cloud. It’s extra breathable so you stay nice and comfortable while you snooze, and it magically conforms to your body for enhanced support and maximum pressure relief no matter what position you prefer sleeping in.

It’s a great option for those who generally love their mattress but just need a little extra support during pregnancy or the postpartum period and don’t want to splurge on a more spendy topper. We love that it comes in two and three-inch thicknesses too so you’ve got options based on your particular mattress and personal comfort level.

The thousands of positive reviews don’t lie either. One pregnant mom raves that this is the best mattress topper she’s ever purchased. “I was having back pain and sciatica from my pregnancy to the point that I would sleep on the couch,” she writes.

“My body sinks right into it and the cushion of the foam supports my body (pressure points) well. It’s worth every penny. My partner was late for work the first day we slept on it because he couldn’t let the bed go.”

• Superb value
• Breathable
• Comfortable
• Provides ample support for joints and pressure points
• Conforms to your body
• Comes in 2 and 3-inch thicknesses
• Available in most mattress sizes

• Reviews are mixed on how cooling it is

Egbogah is a fan of the Tempur-Adapt Topper for couples “because it’s made of a 3-inch medium-firm dense foam, which is not only great for back pain but can also minimize motion transfer.” In other words, you and your partner won’t wake each other as easily during all those late-night newborn feeds or pregnancy potty breaks.

“It also comes with a protective sleeve, which is great because it can be washed as needed,” she notes. The cover is super breathable and made of a high-stretch knit enhanced with moisture-wicking properties so you stay cool and dry even when the night sweats strike. If you sleep super warm, you may also consider adding on more cooling technology for a better night’s sleep.

Many reviewers note how their aches and pains magically disappeared after adding this topper to their bed, significantly improving their sleep quality. What more could a mom want?

• Memory foam minimizes motion transfer
• Super soft and supportive
• Features adaptive pressure-relieving technology
• Breathable, cooling and moisture-wicking
• Machine-washable cover
• Also ideal for stomach sleepers
• Option to add more cooling technology for extra hot sleepers

• It’s definitely an investment but so worth it

With an impressive 4.4-star rating and a whopping 100,000+ rave reviews on Amazon, this bestselling memory foam mattress topper is a must-buy for any mom with back pain. It features plush, pressure-relieving memory foam that gently hugs you and conforms to your curves as you sleep.

This type of mattress topper, which is infused with an innovative cooling gel, distributes heat and regulates your body temperature so you don’t wake up in a sweaty puddle. It’s CertiPUR-US Certified so you can sleep more soundly and comes in a two or three-inch profile so you can select the perfect plushness based on your sleep preferences.

“It was super hard for me to sleep on my mattress after I got pregnant, my shoulders and back would hurt constantly but now I fall asleep faster and it’s so comfortable,” writes one Amazon reviewer. Many moms also noted how after adding this to their current mattress, they were able to comfortably sleep on their sides without tossing and turning all night long.

• Incredible value
• Over 100,000 rave reviews on Amazon
• Temperature regulating for those who sleep hot
• Soft but supportive sleeping surface
• Helps align your spine and disperse body weight
• CertiPUR-US Certified
• Available in a two or three-inch thickness
• Options to fit every size mattress

• May be too soft for some sleepers

From the innovative cooling tech (that actually works!) to the premium foam and unique microcoils, this premium mattress topper is top of the line—and it keeps your spine aligned so you sleep fully supported. This thicker topper is composed of several layers, inluding a 1.5-inch high-density foam on the bottom to add durability and support. It also has 0.75 inches of micro-wrapped coils for pinpoint pressure relief in the middle.

An impressive 1.5 inches of premium comfort on top gives it that plush feel sans any sagging. It also comes with a cooling cover so you stay at the perfect temperature all night long.

“I am loving this mattress topper. It’s just what I needed to add a little bit more support for my bad back,” writes one satisfied reviewer. Another notes how it’s “more reactive and supportive relative to other memory foam toppers” they’ve tried.

• Excellent spinal support
• Relieves pressure points
• Comes with a cooling cover for temperature regulation
• Comfortable
• Breathable
• High quality
• Comes in a lot of mattress sizes

• No corner straps so it may shift without being beneath a fitted sheet

Egbogah highly recommends this  Naturepedic 2″ certified organic mattress topper. “Like the Saatva topper, it’s made from natural latex and has a top lining of organic cotton. This provides great support and temperature regulation, while also being healthy for your baby,” she tells us.

“Given how much time we spend in bed, it’s imperative to consider the materials we’re sleeping on. This is especially important while pregnant since chemical toxins can pass on to your baby through the skin,” she explains.

Soft to the touch and with a luxe, “smooth as butter” feel, this is by far the best mattress topper for back pain if you’re pregnant and/or co-sleeping so you can rest easier without stressing about harmful chemicals.

• Certified organic
• Luxe and soft to the touch
• Provides excellent pressure relief
• Temperature-regulating
• No harmful toxins or chemicals
• Available in a broad range of sizes
• 100-night trial

• Somewhat pricier than other options, but you get premium-quality

Whether you’re pregnant and side sleeping or your back is literally killing you from carrying a 25-pound toddler all day, this bestselling memory foam mattress topper from Sleep Innovations is a gamechanger. It features three inches of medium-firm, cooling gel memory foam to keep you comfy and relieve pressure points and back pain for deeper, uninterrupted sleep.

It’s not so soft that you sink right in, but it does gently cushion your body, evenly distributing your weight for full-body aligning support in any sleep position: side, back or belly. An open-cell design allows for maximum airflow and breathability so you wake up dry and feeling refreshed.

• Excellent support
• Keeps you cool
• Breathable and hypoallergenic
• CertiPUR-US certified
• Great value
• Extremely comfortable
• Impressive customer reviews

• Small amount of foam off-gassing in the first few hours of use

Increased blood volume during pregnancy and hormone changes postpartum can leave you feeling much warmer and more restless than usual. This is where the Nolah Mattress Topper comes in. It’s made of pressure-relieving Airfoam, which not only helps support your spine and takes stress off your joints, but dissipates heat 20% faster than memory foam so you can sleep soundly through the night.

“Best investment for my back and sleep ever,” writes one reviewer. Another claims how they now “sleep fantastic” and most of their back pain is gone. “This topper is also extremely cool. I do not overheat, and I run hot at night,” they add.

Countless reviewers rave about how it’s soft but not too soft, perfectly contouring to their body and allowing them to sleep deeper and longer without waking up in pain. It comes with a breathable organic cotton cover too to help wick away moisture.

• Cooling and moisture-wicking
• Soft and breathable
• Excellent pressure relief
• Durable
• CertiPUR-US certified
• Includes an organic cotton cover
• Elastic bands prevent shifting
• Available in a broad range of sizes

• It’s not cheap but well worth the investment to beat the heat