So you have bought your pregnancy pillow and can’t wait to get comfortable and snuggly in it.
But there is a little pain because you don’t know How To Use Pregnancy Pillow? Like me. When I bought it.
Sure it looks welcoming, but as most of us have only ever used a regular pillow, which means that using a pregnancy pillow like U shape, C shape, or Inflatable Pregnancy Pillow can be a bit of a learning experience.
Many women have confessed to using pregnancy pillows outside of pregnancy to get a better posture.
Even men use body pillows to get comfortable because, at the end of the day, a pregnancy pillow is a giant, fluffy pillow that can be cuddled and held. So, get yourself one.
It takes time to get the hang of it, but once you do, you can maximize the comfort and get real value for the money you spent on buying the pregnancy pillow.
We already talk a lot on a few important topics, like
- When to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow?
- How To Choose a Pregnancy Pillow?
- How does a pregnancy pillow help your body?
- Is It Safe To Sleep Propped Up While Pregnant
Apart from that, all the excellent information, Today, in the article “How To Use Pregnancy Pillow?” I will explain how you can use it and, along with it explain, how to sleep with a pregnancy pillow to get the real value from it.
So, let’s get started.
How To Use Pregnancy Pillow Correctly To Sleep On It?
Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow is purely dependent upon the shape of the pillow you are using. For example, a U-shape pregnancy pillow can be used to support the full-body, while a C-shaped pillow can be used to support the belly, neck, and knee too.
There is a lot of different types of pregnancy pillow, and each one can be used to the target a specified part of your body.
There is no hard and fast rule on how to use one, but here are some tips on using each one that you will find helpful.
1.) How To Use U Shaped Body Pillow:
The U Shape Body Pillow is the biggest maternity pillow you will get as it can surround you completely to provide full-body comfort. Having a large bed with this one is a good idea. Otherwise, there won’t be much room left on the couch for your partner.
Also, getting a lighter filling will help unless you do not plan on moving the pillow often, and you prefer a more sturdy pillow to give you support.
There are multiple ways you can use U Shaped pregnancy pillow to support your head and neck to your back, belly, knees, and ankles.
But, how to sleep with u shaped pregnancy pillow?
The most obvious one is as it is. Just place it on the bed and get in between the inverted U. This will help you lay on your back.
The huge ‘arms’ on either side can be placed beneath the back to give it extra padding, so you are not laying with all your weight on your back.
Since the sides are elevated slightly, your spine will be relieved of some weight. And it is so big, So, it can even be used to sleep on the side.
Also, getting a lighter filling will help unless you do not plan on moving the pillow often, and you prefer a more sturdy pillow to give you support.
There are multiple ways you can use U Shaped pregnancy pillow to support your head and neck to your back, belly, knees, and ankles. But, how to sleep with u shaped pregnancy pillow?
The most obvious one is as it is. Just place it on the bed and get in between the inverted U. This will help you lay on your back.
The huge ‘arms’ on either side can be placed beneath the back to give it extra padding, so you are not laying with all your weight on your back.
Since the sides are elevated slightly, your spine will be relieved of some weight. And it is so big, So, it can even be used to sleep on the side.
You can easily switch sides without having to move the pillow around. Hugging one arm and placing the belly on top of the arm will help distribute the weight and prevent any discomfort that you might have felt if your belly had no support.
The U-shape pillow is particularly great for providing support to the spine.
As mentioned earlier, placing the pillow around you means that the sides are partly on the ‘arms’ of the pillow. This relieves pressure from your back and ensures a more comfortable sleep.
So, this is the correct way to use Use U Shaped Body Pillow. But, one thing I want to highlight, due to its big in size, its natural means need more material to design it. Then they cost a little higher.
You can check our list of the best U shaped Pregnancy Pillow, to get the pillow that meets your need.
2.) How to Use C & J shaped Pregnancy Pillow:
The C & J Shape pregnancy pillow works in a similar way to the U-shaped body pillows mentioned above, except these are smaller and are more targeted.
Some women are very comfortable with their bodies until the last few weeks of the third trimester.
However, some start to feel the grind from the get-go.
One way to tell when to start using a pregnancy pillow is to use your intuition.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I need extra padding?‘ ‘Is it high time that I should buy a pregnancy pillow?‘
You should invest in a pregnancy pillow when you feel you need extra help getting comfortable.
While the U-shaped pillow can surround your body and is excellent for back sleepers, the C-shaped and J-shaped pillows are more for people who prefer to sleep on their side.
The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is more for cradling the belly and can be placed in between the legs to relieve the pain of standing for long periods.
You can even use the C-shape to prop both legs up by placing them on the pillow.
Doing this will help elevate the legs, and raising legs even by 6 inches can significantly reduce the pain and swelling pregnant women experience due to standing up for long periods.
The C-shape pillow is perfect for women who wish to have their feet and head elevated.
The pillow will enable you to improve your overall blood flow, particularly if you suffer from swelling in the feet and ankles.
So, this is how we can use C Shaped pregnancy pillow.
Now, let’s talk, How to use J Shaped Pregnancy Pillow? Similarly, the J Shape pillow is more for the backside.
You can place it behind you and get the pillow to cradle your bump while supporting your back.
It helps achieve a better posture and relieves the pressure that your back may otherwise feel with a pregnancy.
The best way to use a J-shaped pillow is by placing the pillow under the belly and placing one leg under and one over the curved part of the J shape.
And, the weight of the abdomen will be supported, which will remove pressure from you back, so it does not get sore throughout the night.
One more thing, It can be flipped easily so the curved part can either be placed below or between the legs, or be on top to support the neck. But the choice is yours; you can use it in way that makes you feel comfortable.
3.) How To Use Wedge Pregnancy Pillow:
Having a strange asymmetrical shape and often made of denser foam, like memory foam, the wedge pillow is a much more targeted and affordable pillow. It is meant to support a specific part of the body, unlike the full body pregnancy pillows.
Some women are very comfortable with their bodies until the last few weeks of the third trimester.
However, some start to feel the grind from the get-go.
One way to tell when to start using a pregnancy pillow is to use your intuition.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I need extra padding?‘ ‘Is it high time that I should buy a pregnancy pillow?‘
You should invest in a pregnancy pillow when you feel you need extra help getting comfortable.
The narrower part of the wedge can be placed below the bump while you are lying on your side, so the belly aligns, and this relieves the pressure from the spine.
Or, if you are lying on your back, you can place it below the ankles to lift your feet and help bring down the swelling.
Many women also place it under the neck because the wedge pregnancy pillow raises the head at an angle that prevents acid reflux and heartburn, which is a commonly experienced symptom, and that can make sleeping extremely difficult.
Note: wedge Pillow is not designed for sciatica pain, if you are feeling pain due to sciatica, then you should have to try, best pregnancy pillow for sciatica pain. You can check “Do Pregnancy Pillows Help With Sciatica” to understand how it works.
It is not just used while lying down. You can even use it while sitting up. Placing it behind the back can help improve posture and prevent unnecessary weight on the back.
The best thing is that it is small and handy to be carried around. You can take it to work or use it around the house.
The small size also allows for you to get a denser foam for your pillow are it will not get that much heavier.
The wedge pillow is, overall, an extremely versatile pregnancy pillow. It can be used for any part of the body and in nearly any position. You just need to figure out How To Use Pregnancy Pillow well.
Since one side is narrower than the other, you can use the thinner side to ‘wedge’ in any hollow area so the body part can be supported, and the weight is shifted from the body to the pillow.
Examples include placing the thinner part of the pillow under the belly or the feet so comfort can be achieved by transferring the weight on the pillow.
Its small size, but can be use for the multipurpose and best thing, it’s affordable.
4.) How to Use Inflatable Pregnancy Pillow:
This one has a particular function; it enables you to lay on your belly without putting any pressure on the actual bump.
This is because the pillow has an empty place where your bump would generally be, so the bump slips in through the vacant position. Think of a massage table, but with a hole for your stomach instead of your face.
So, this is way, how you can sleep with a pregnancy pillow?
This is perfect for all those women who are used to sleeping on their stomachs. It relieves all the pressure from the back, so if you are suffering from back pain during pregnancy,
this is an excellent option to go for a Stomach sleeper.
Most of the stomach sleeper is inflators, which means you need a small pump to installed it, and good things is that its very useful for mom how loves to travel, because you can take it with you anywhere you want.
Again, this is a full-body pillow and right to its name; it supports the entire body. Since the inflatable pillow takes the whole weight off the whole backside, it is suitable for anyone who suffers from back issues during pregnancy.
If you are also a mother who loves to sleep on the belly, then check our list of the best pregnancy pillow for stomach sleeper
I hope, Now you know, How To Use Pregnancy Pillow, but there is one more pad can use by anyone, which is V shape, So, let’s check it too.
5.) How To Use V-Shaped Pillow In Pregnancy
The V-shaped pregnancy pillows are an excellent choice for women who do not want to feel overcrowded in their bed when they sleep. These are multipurpose, and you can use them; however, you see fit.
Due to a specific V-shape and the size varying from small to medium, they make a great head and neck rest. You can also use them to support your lower back or torso as you sit propped up.
These are also nice to have around to support your baby bump while you sleep on your sides.
So, How To Use Pregnancy Pillow Correctly?
You can use it ahead pillow, as a neck rest, beneath your back, below your baby bump for support, or place it between your legs to attain a comfortable time.
Even after you’ve delivered you, baby, a v-shaped pregnancy pillow will come in handy for you and the baby. You can rest your legs or ankles on it or sleep with it supporting your ankles.
If you’ve gone through a C-section, you can use it to hold the baby and breastfeed. As the baby grows a bit, you can even use it as side support to sleep with your baby.
These are small, lightweight, and multi-use pillows that tend to remain relevant long after you’re done with pregnancy, and the baby has grown up.
And the best part? Due to its attractive symmetry, you can use it as a couch pillow for casual or regular use.
So if you’re a mother, you enjoy minimalism and decluttering, are afraid to invest in a big pregnancy pillow, and want the comfort of a good night’s sleep, then a simple V-shaped pregnancy pillow might just be the one for you.
I hope you have found this information useful, and this How To Use Pregnancy Pillow guide will help you in making a valuable decision.
Final Words:
How you use a pregnancy pillow is entirely up to you.
By reading this article, you now have a good idea as to how many different types of pillows are available and how each one can be used in their own unique ways to give you the comfort you deserve.
Getting a good pregnancy pillow and using it properly can make a huge difference. I personally recommend to go through below article to make sure you make the right choice from the coming next nine months,
Do not feel guilty about spending the time and resources to get yourself a pregnancy pillow. A good night’s sleep or a relaxed back can help you physically as well as psychologically by reducing the stress that comes with the condition.
Pregnancy can be very hard, and some women suffer more than others. That’s why pregnancy pillow is designed to help you, like
Now it’s your turn. Let me know How you are using a pregnancy pillow and how you are sleeping on a pregnancy pillow, which pillow is best for you and why.
Your decision will help other moms to make a quick decision. And finally, don’t forget to share this article because sharing is caring.
Sakshi Patel
Senior Content Writer
Sakshi Patel is a busy Mom who enjoys spending most of her time with her cute daughter and a pet dog. She joins us as a senior content writer, and because of her creative writing style, has become our top-rated content writer