15 best maternity nightwear pieces to snap up if you're expecting

Maternity nightwear is absolutely essential when you're expecting - and we predict you'll pretty much live in yours. As well as maternity leggings, maternity knickers and maternity loungewear, maternity pyjamas and nighties are a must-have for your pregnancy wardrobe - and they'll also carry you through your fourth trimester when you probably won't leave the house much. I actually still wear my maternity nightwear two years on because it's so damn comfy.

As any pregnant woman can attest, the nine months you're carrying your precious cargo isn't always the most comfortable, which is why owning at least one pair of loose-fitting, soft-as-butter pyjamas is essential. Ditch the sexy lace, niggling seams, and tight, unbreathable fabrics in favour of flowing, breathable cotton nightwear that feels as good as it looks. When you're contending with a burgeoning bump, night sweats and constant trips to the toilet, great maternity nightwear is an investment worth making. Anything to help you feel a bit more comfortable when you cosy up to that body pillow at bedtime, right?

With stretchy waistbands that comfortably cover your bump and support it – without making you feel like you’re being squeezed – and tops that allow for breastfeeding later down the line, maternity nightwear forms the base for most pregnant women’s wardrobes - and trust me, you'll spend a lot of time in bed.

Plus, if you're looking for the perfect gift for a mum-to-be, maternity nightwear is a perfect contender for a great mum-to-be gift.

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What to look for in maternity nightwear

When looking for maternity nightwear it is important to take the fabric, longevity and practicality into consideration. Chelsey Oliver, Chief Creative Officer at maternity brand Seraphine, told us: “We use breathable fabrics that are super soft and ultra comfortable – perfect to help you get a restful nights sleep whilst pregnant.” It's also worth looking for nightwear with clever features that are essential when in hospital, such as poppers down the front and back, pockets for phone and holes in sides for monitoring wires. Want your ensure your maternity nightwear is a good investment? Look for pieces that have a nursing function built in, meaning you can continue to wear these pieces in your postpartum journey and beyond.

How we tested

Our Website Director, Bianca London, who is pregnant with her second baby and spends an embarrassing amount of time in bed (when she's not chasing after her toddler, that is), tracked down the best maternity pyjamas for 2023. She put them through their paces for comfort, breathability and ease of wear. She also tried the best maternity nightwear out during her post-partum era with her first baby to see how they fared during breastfeeding. She tested a range of brands at varying price points to bring you the definitive guide to the very best maternity nightwear to carry you through your pregnancy and beyond.

Looking for more maternity wear? We've got you. There's maternity swimwear, maternity dresses, breastfeeding tops and maternity trousers to add to your wardrobes, alongside maternity wedding guest dresses and maternity bridesmaid dresses if you've got a few nuptials to attend before giving birth.

Continue down to our round-up of the best maternity nightwear and maternity pyjamas for a seriously comfy and well-deserved rest.