What is a pregnancy pillow?
A baby is on the way, congratulations! You are surely facing an exciting but fun period. Unfortunately, some aches and discomforts will also come around the corner. Wouldn't it be nice to get a little support now and then? Read on and discover how a pregnancy pillow can offer you more comfort.
What is a pregnancy pillow?
Pregnancy pillows are specially developed to make your pregnancy as comfortable as possible. As your belly grows bigger, you will notice that your freedom of movement becomes limited. This can make it much harder to fall asleep, sit comfortably at the dining table, or even sit on the couch.
A pregnancy pillow supports your back and belly. Are you in the last months of your pregnancy? Then it may well be that you increasingly experience discomfort in your belly and/or back. In this case, a pregnancy pillow is extremely suitable for you! Did you know that 1 in 10 women suffer from persistent back pain after childbirth?
How does a pregnancy pillow work?
Extra support? Sounds fantastic! But how exactly does a pregnancy pillow work? Generally, a pregnancy pillow has three different uses:
For a better night's sleep
Every night you toss and turn a lot in your bed. Not surprising, specialists believe that movement is an important part of our sleep. It stimulates blood circulation and ensures flexible joints. By not moving, you wake up stiff and unrested the next morning. This poses quite a challenge when you are pregnant. Every pregnancy is different, but some women feel a stabbing pain when turning. A pregnancy pillow ensures that your body can stay in a comfortable position longer. This is due to the extra support your body gets from the special shape of the pillows. So it will not make you move more during the night. But it allows you to stay longer in the same position without suffering from stiff joints or a painful back. Read now our best sleep tips for a better night's rest!
The right support for back and belly
Your body endures quite a lot during pregnancy. Especially your back and belly will face a tough period. Months of all that extra weight, you will definitely feel it. Your back carries most of this weight and therefore occasionally needs more relaxation. Pregnancy pillows often have a unique shape (more on that later). This shape allows you to wrap the pillow comfortably around you or place it exactly on the painful spot in your back to get optimal support.
Using a pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow
A frequently asked question to our customer service is: Are your pregnancy pillows also suitable as nursing pillows? Our answer; Yes! By placing our pregnancy pillow on your lap, you can also use it as a nursing pillow.
What exactly do we mean by nursing pillow? The name already says a bit. It helps you support your little one during (breast)feeding. The pillow ensures that your child lies at exactly the right height for his or her feeding moment. This way, you don't have to support your child with your arms while feeding.
Which shape pregnancy pillow should I choose?
Pregnancy and nursing pillows are available in all kinds of shapes and sizes. But how do you know which one is most suitable for you? In the following paragraphs, we discuss the pros and cons of the different shapes of pregnancy pillows:
C-shaped pregnancy pillow
The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is super flexible. You can wrap it around you in various ways and basically use the pillow in any imaginable way. The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is intended to support back and belly. The best way to do this is by clamping one side of the pillow between your legs while resting your head on the other side of the pillow. By placing the pillow under your belly, you support it. Although the pillow does not lie fully against your back, it is also supported by the shape of the pillow! A C-shaped pillow can also be used as a nursing pillow. You can simply wrap the pillow around you, place the sides on your lap, and lay your baby on it. This way, your baby lies exactly at the right height for your feeding moment.
U-shaped pregnancy pillow
The U-pillow provides perfect support for back and belly. It supports the entire body from the neck to the hips. The U-shaped pillow can be used in two ways. You can clamp it between your legs by positioning the closed side down or position the closed side up and use it as a head pillow. In both ways, you have the two “arms” of the U lying by your back and belly. You place your belly on one side of the pillow while you can lie with your back against the other side. This way, belly and back enjoy maximum comfort. The U-shaped pregnancy pillow can also be used as a nursing pillow.
Wedge pillow
Unlike the other shapes, a wedge pillow only supports the belly. The purpose of the wedge pillow is to tuck it under your belly so that it is supported in bed at all times. The disadvantage of a wedge pillow is that it cannot be used as a nursing pillow and it does not provide support for your back. That is a pity, as it endures quite a lot.
What else is important before my purchase?
You naturally want to enter your pregnancy well prepared. You are lucky. We share here the last things you should consider if you want to buy a pregnancy pillow.
Pregnancy pillow cover
You cannot easily wash the pregnancy pillow itself. Therefore, it is handy to order a washable cover with your pregnancy pillow. This way, your pillow stays beautiful and fresh for a long time with frequent use. Especially when you also use your pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow. Dirty stains on your non-washable pillow are of course a shame!
Which material is most suitable?
The goal of a pregnancy pillow is to provide maximum comfort. With that in mind, it is important to look at the material your pillow is made of. Ella Sleeps offers you the option to choose between Cotton or Minky. Minky is a nice soft fleece fabric used in many baby suits, swaddles, and other baby accessories. It has a high degree of wearing comfort. However, Minky is synthetic material. Something some people see as ‘of lesser quality’. Synthetic material is not necessarily worse than natural material. Minky is nice and warm. It is therefore especially suitable in winter or for those who get cold easily. Unsure about Minky? Then cotton is always a safe choice. This natural material is found in most sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. The chance of an allergic reaction is therefore small.
In conclusion
Is a pregnancy pillow something for you? Then quickly take a look at our assortment. Ella Sleeps has been working since 2018 on improving sitting and lying comfort in the Netherlands. We do this by developing sustainable products that improve our physical well-being daily! Do you suffer a lot from your lower back during pregnancy? A sitting ball can help you adopt a better posture, reducing stiffness in your spine. Read the article and discover. Do you already have experience with a pregnancy pillow and do you have tips or additions to these blogs? Let us know by leaving a comment👇
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pregnancy pillow and what is it good for?
A pregnancy pillow is specially designed to support the belly, back, and legs of pregnant women. It helps to sleep more comfortably, reduce back pain, and adopt a better posture during rest moments.
When do you start using a pregnancy pillow?
Many women start using a pregnancy pillow around the second trimester, as soon as their belly grows and back complaints or sleep problems arise. Starting earlier is also possible with physical discomfort.
Which shape pregnancy pillow suits me best?
That depends on your preference and complaints. C-shaped pillows offer flexibility and can also be used as nursing pillows. U-shaped pillows provide full support to back and belly. Wedge pillows only support the belly but do not provide back support.
Can you use a pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow?
Yes, most pregnancy pillows are multifunctional. You can place them on your lap during feeding so your baby lies at the right height and your arms are relieved.
Which material is most suitable for a pregnancy pillow?
Cotton is breathable and hypoallergenic, ideal for sensitive skin. Minky is extra soft and warm, perfect for cold nights or those who love comfort. Choose the material that fits your preference and seasonal use.