How to Choose the Best Pregnancy Pillow: 10 Tips
Choosing a pregnancy pillow can feel overwhelming. C-shaped, U-shaped, wedge, body pillow – which one will actually help you sleep, ease your aches and still be useful once baby arrives?
The BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow was designed by a mum who obsessed over every detail – shape, curvature, firmness, fabric and colour – and tested it in every configuration through two pregnancies and well into motherhood.
This guide answers the questions we're asked most often. Whether you want more comfortable sleep, relief from pelvic pain, a calmer labour or easier breastfeeding, here's what to look for.
Tip 1: Choose a pregnancy pillow that adapts as your bump grows
In the first trimester you're in that in-between stage – you can't quite button your jeans, but nobody can tell you're pregnant yet. It's tempting to buy the biggest pregnancy pillow you can find.
You don't need a huge pillow straight away. You need one that grows with your bump. Early on, you may only want a little lower back support; by the third trimester you'll want full-body support.
The BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow has a modular design that zips and unzips into different shapes, so it can be used in at least 8 ways from early pregnancy onwards.
Tip 2: Pick a pillow that helps you sleep on your side
Your body works incredibly hard during pregnancy, and good sleep helps you cope with the changes.
From 28 weeks, the NHS advises going to sleep on your side rather than your back. A supportive pregnancy pillow makes side-sleeping far more comfortable and helps you stay there through the night.
Our full C-shaped configuration is ideal: lean your back into the pillow, tuck one end between your knees and under your bump, and rest your head on the other end.
Tip 3: Look for a firm pregnancy pillow for pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
Pelvic girdle pain can make even walking painful. As your bump grows, your hips, legs and lower back carry extra weight and strain.
A pregnancy pillow for PGP needs to be firm enough to keep your knees and hips aligned while supporting your back and bump. BellaMoon's C-shaped configuration keeps your hips apart to relieve pressure on sore spots, with a firmness designed to hold its shape all night.
Tip 4: Choose a pregnancy and nursing pillow that looks beautiful at home
You'll use your pillow every day – and once baby arrives, it'll be in hundreds of photos. A beautifully designed cover makes a difference.
Our founder Irene studied architecture and design, and wanted to bring high-end interior design to maternity products. Every BellaMoon print has its own story, so your pillow feels at home in your bedroom or nursery. Browse the full collection in our LookBook.
@pipshome
Tip 5: Choose an award-winning pregnancy pillow with great reviews
You want a pillow you can trust. BellaMoon has been independently tested and recognised by leading names in the baby industry:
- MadeForMums Awards – Best Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow
- The Independent – Top 10 Pregnancy Pillows, multiple years running
- Mums and Tots Awards – Best Breastfeeding Product (public vote)
- Mums and Tots Awards – Best New Product (public vote)
- Junior Design Awards – Silver, Best Innovative Product Design (Baby), judged panel
- Mumsnet – Best Multi-Functional Maternity Pillow, tested by an expert panel
- Featured in The Sunday Times Magazine and iNews Top 6 Pregnancy Pillows
And our customers consistently give us 5 star reviews:
"I absolutely love my BellaMoon. I'm driving my husband crazy with my snoring!"
"I really love my BellaMoon already and I'm only 16 weeks pregnant. Not sure how I'll cope with nights away where I can't take it with me!"
"After a hectic few weeks in work I wanted to really chill out in it. I lay in bed and listened to hypnobirthing affirmations and it was bliss!"
We've got your back – literally.
Tip 6: Use your pregnancy pillow for hypnobirthing and birth preparation
In the second half of pregnancy, thoughts naturally turn to birth – and it's normal to feel anxious.
Many mums use their BellaMoon as a cosy cocoon to listen to hypnobirthing affirmations and practise breathing techniques. Building that calm, familiar space at home means you can recreate it on the labour ward.
@thejenningsmama
Tip 7: Bring your pillow to labour – and pack a spare cover
When contractions start, a familiar, supportive pillow can help you stay calm and comfortable through early labour.
If you've practised relaxation in your BellaMoon at home, lying in it can help you feel in control as labour progresses. We recommend packing a spare cover so you always have a clean one ready.
Our Founder was so relaxed in her BellaMoon cocoon that she slept through much of early labour.
BellaMoon in the labour ward
Tip 8: Choose a pregnancy pillow that converts into a nursing pillow
Once baby arrives, you and your baby start learning to feed together. The BellaMoon 3-in-1 unzips into a smaller nursing pillow, giving you support from your very first feeds in hospital.
Most hospitals don't provide feeding pillows, so many of our customers bring their BellaMoon to hospital for both labour and nursing. Getting your positioning and comfort right early on makes a real difference – especially if you're recovering from a caesarean or an epidural.
Tip 9: Get a nursing pillow that supports breastfeeding and bottle feeding
The early weeks at home are when a nursing pillow really earns its place – feeding on the sofa, in bed or at the kitchen table.
Without support, it's easy to hunch your back, tense your shoulders and lift your arms to get the latch right. A good breastfeeding pillow brings baby to the right height, so your arms, neck and shoulders can relax.
The central section of the BellaMoon also supports the rugby-ball hold (also called the football hold), a favourite position for many mums, especially after a caesarean.
It's not just for breastfeeding: use it as a sitting-up support for bottle feeding, so partners, grandparents and older siblings can all join in.
@ourlittletogether
Tip 10: Keep using it for supervised tummy time, sitting-up support and play
The BellaMoon keeps working as your baby grows. From around 2 months, it can support supervised tummy time to help strengthen neck and shoulder muscles. Older babies who are learning to sit up can be supported by it during awake, supervised play.
It's lovely for siblings too – it helps older brothers and sisters hold the new baby safely, with an adult close by.
Safety note: always stay with your baby when they are on or near the pillow. Never use it for baby to sleep on, and always put baby down to sleep on their back in a clear cot or Moses basket.
@ourlittletogether
Why BellaMoon is different
BellaMoon is a pregnancy pillow that grows and adapts with you – from first-trimester back support to side-sleeping, labour, feeding and baby's first months. One pillow, many uses, in beautiful designs you'll be proud to display.
Backed by independent reviews and multiple industry awards, it's a multi-functional pillow that's excellent value for money.
Shop the BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow
Pregnancy pillow FAQs
When should I start using a pregnancy pillow? Whenever you start to feel uncomfortable in bed – for many women that's the second trimester, but some like a little back support from early on. An adaptable pillow means you can start small and expand it as your bump grows.
What is the best pregnancy pillow shape? C-shaped and U-shaped pillows give the most all-round support. A C-shape takes up less space in bed and supports your head, back, bump and knees at once. A modular pillow like BellaMoon lets you switch between shapes.
Can a pregnancy pillow help with pelvic girdle pain? Yes. A firm pillow between your knees keeps your hips aligned and can ease pressure on the pelvis overnight. Speak to your midwife or physiotherapist if pain is severe.
Can I use my pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow? With the BellaMoon 3-in-1, yes – it unzips into a smaller nursing pillow for breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Is a pregnancy pillow worth it? If you'll use it for sleep, labour and feeding, it replaces several products. That's where a multi-use pillow offers the best value.
