A pregnancy and nursing pillow? Here's what you need to know.
Updated: 23 hours ago
During pregnancy and the period afterward, your body requires a lot of support. Your posture changes, you sleep differently, and your shoulders, back, and arms are put under intense strain during breastfeeding.
Respond to this consciously with a nursing and pregnancy pillow. That helps prevent strain and complaints.
But anyone who delves deeper into this topic will quickly realize that the selection is vast. There are many different shapes, materials, and claims. What are the real differences? And how do you determine which pillow is right for your body and specific situation?
Around the time a baby arrives, a lot of money is spent unnecessarily on many products. You see that when you put together the baby checklist. With a nursing or pregnancy pillow I see it the other way around.
This is a product you use daily, often several times a day. Good support during pregnancy and breastfeeding helps prevent strain. Without a suitable and comfortable pillow you can develop complaints or injuries. Those can keep bothering you in the long run.
Eight to twelve feeds a day
A newborn baby drinks on average eight to twelve times a day. During breastfeeding, you often sit or lie in the same position for a long time. That puts particular strain on your shoulders, arms and neck. When you are largely carrying your baby's weight, your shoulders curl up and your arms get tired. That is especially true in the first few weeks, when you may still be practising a good position. It is prone to injury and can lead to tense shoulders and wrists, tired arms and aches that build up through the day. Pain during breastfeeding also has a strong effect on your let-down reflex.
A nursing pillow distributes your baby's weight better. Your shoulders can relax and your attention stays with contact and technique.
During pregnancy, you usually sleep on your side. Without proper support, your hips and pelvis can tilt, which can cause back and pelvic pain and restless nights. A long pregnancy pillow supports your belly and hips and fills the space between your knees. That keeps your body in a stable, relaxed position. It also helps after birth, during your recovery.
A nursing or pregnancy pillow is meant for your body, not for your baby. Never let a baby sleep on or against the pillow. The pillow does not belong in the cot or in your own bed. A baby can end up with its face against the pillow and then cannot breathe properly. The makers of these pillows say the same: for adult use only.
Do you fall asleep while feeding? That happens more often than parents think. Put your baby back on its back in its own bed afterwards, on a firm mattress. Then take the pillow out of the bed.
A good nursing and pregnancy pillow not only protects your body from strain but also helps you relax. This relaxation plays a crucial role in the success and maintenance of breastfeeding.
Contents
The choice is overwhelming
As soon as you actually want to buy a pillow, you notice how overwhelming the choice is.
Look beyond the name or the promises on the packaging. So I advise you to pay attention to:
Shape/length: long enough to support multiple body parts
Material filling: the cushion should not collapse immediately
Type of cover: should move with your posture and be washable
Comfort for your body: no two bodies are the same
Three common types of pillows
Generally speaking, there are three common types of nursing and pregnancy pillows.
Small, round nursing pillows
These pillows are usually filled with loose beads and have a compact, firm shape. They are mainly meant to support your arms during feeding. Due to their limited size, they offer little support for your back, hips or posture. They are generally not suitable for sleeping.
Half-moon or C-shaped pillows
These pillows are often made of foam and have a firm shape. They provide reasonable support during breastfeeding, but are less adaptable to different positions. This makes them less suitable for sleeping or for long-term full-body support.
Long nursing or pregnancy pillows
These pillows are filled with loose balls and have a long, flexible shape. They are large enough to support multiple body parts simultaneously, such as the stomach, back, hips, knees, and arms. This flexibility makes them suitable for use during pregnancy, sleep, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding.
One large pillow is often more comfortable. You then use it during pregnancy as well as for breastfeeding. Instead of buying two separate pillows, you often save money with a single multifunctional pillow.
What are most nursing pillows made of?
Most nursing and pregnancy pillows are filled with EPS beads (small polystyrene balls) or foam.
Foam, often found in C-shaped pillows
Has a fixed shape
Provides a lot of support in the beginning
Less able to conform to your posture
Both materials have their function, but they behave differently over time.
EPS beads, the most common
Lightweight and easily moldable
Make the pillow flexible and easy to adjust
Often used in long pregnancy pillows and nursing pillows
Volume loss in EPS beads
EPS beads lose volume over time. Your pillow starts to feel deflated. It still looks the same, but it no longer supports the way it did. It feels as if you are mostly using a cover. That is normal for EPS. Still, it happens faster than you expect and the difference can be noticeable within a few weeks.
There are a few clear reasons for this:
1. Compression through use
EPS beads are compressed at each feeding by:
the weight of your baby or your body
repeated use, often several times a day
This pressure causes the balls to lose their volume, making the pillow flatter.
2. Quality and filling
Not all EPS fillings are created equal. Cheaper pillows often contain:
Lower quality EPS filling which deforms and shrinks more quickly
smaller balls
less filling
This causes the firmness to decrease more quickly.
3. Heat and moisture
Body heat and (light) moisture make the beads softer. That is good for comfort, but it also makes the pillow sink faster.
One pillow for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do you plan to use one pillow during both pregnancy and breastfeeding? Then it is important to choose a pillow with high-quality EPS filling that is adjustable or refillable.
Lower-quality EPS filling loses volume more quickly and requires more maintenance; refilling is then almost unavoidable. Cushions with high-quality EPS beads generally retain their shape longer and provide better support.
Why the cover matters
The cover may seem a minor detail, but it determines a large part of the comfort and ease of use. You use the pillow intensively, often several times a day and night. Material and finish really make a difference.
What a good cover does
is made of breathable and skin-friendly material (such as cotton or bamboo)
is slightly elastic, so the pillow conforms well to your posture
is firm enough to support the filling and not collapse quickly
is adjustable, so you can make the pillow firmer again when the filling loses volume
is removable and washable (follow the care label, usually 30 or 40 degrees)
has a comfortable finish without hard seams, zippers or sharp parts
offers the option of buying an extra cover. A muslin cloth over the pillow is often cheaper and works just as well
My favourite for daily use
The BBhugme has high-quality EPS microbeads. The adjustable, slightly elastic cover conforms well to your body. That makes it suitable for pregnancy as well as breastfeeding. Of the pillows I have tried in practice, I find this one the easiest to use. The purchase price is higher. On the other hand, you do not need extra pillows or refills.
With the code BobbyMaternity you get 15 percent off.
A budget-friendly alternative
The Snoozzz is an accessible, budget-friendly option for both sleeping and feeding. The pillow is easy to shape. With intensive use the EPS filling can lose volume a little faster. The cover is not adjustable and not elastic as standard. That makes the pillow harder to adapt to different positions. You can secure the empty part with an elastic band. The beads then stay more to one side and the pillow becomes firmer for a while. If you use the pillow during pregnancy as well as for breastfeeding, refilling is often needed over time. That takes some skill, because the beads are static. It also brings extra costs, about 20 euros for a ten litre bag. The purchase price is lower. On the other hand, the pillow needs a bit more maintenance in the long run.
Budget tip: do you want to keep costs down further? Buy a secondhand cover, or take one over from someone else. You refill the pillow yourself with a bag of EPS beads. Wash the cover before use, following the care label. For this cover that is 30 degrees.
All the features side by side
Feature | BBhugme | Snoozzz |
Type of pillow | Long nursing & pregnancy pillow | Long nursing & pregnancy pillow |
Suitable for pregnancy | Yes | Yes |
Suitable for breastfeeding | Yes | Yes |
Filling | EPS microbeads (high quality) | EPS microbeads of 0.7 mm |
Malleability | Very good formability | Fairly malleable |
Retention of volume | Remains under tension for a long time | Sinks faster with intensive use |
Cover material | Cotton / spandex (slightly elastic) | Not elastic |
Adjustable cover | Yes | No |
Refill needed | No | Yes (usually) |
Maintenance | No refilling needed, cover washable at 40 degrees | Top up regularly, cover washable at 30 degrees |
Top up costs | Not applicable | ± € 20 per 10 litres |
Ease of use | Very user-friendly | User-friendly |
Intensive daily use | Very suitable | Suitable |
Extra covers available | Yes | Yes |
Zippers / hard parts | No | Depending on model |
Purchase price | €189.00 | from about € 75, plus refill |
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need a nursing pillow?
It is not required, but it is well worth it. A good pillow prevents strain on your shoulders, arms and neck while feeding, and supports a relaxed position.
What is the difference between a nursing pillow and a pregnancy pillow?
A pregnancy pillow is often longer and also supports your belly, back and hips while you sleep. Long pillows are usually suitable for both phases.
Which filling is best for a nursing pillow?
High quality EPS microbeads are light, easy to shape and keep their support for longer. Cheaper EPS filling collapses faster.
Why does a nursing pillow go flat over time?
Compression, heat and moisture make EPS beads lose volume. With cheaper pillows this often happens faster.
Is an expensive nursing pillow always better?
Not so much expensive as fitting. A pillow that fits your body prevents complaints and keeps its shape longer.
Can I use one pillow for pregnancy and for breastfeeding?
Yes. A long, mouldable pillow is usually suitable for both phases and saves you buying several pillows.
Good support may seem like a minor detail, but in practice, it makes a world of difference. A nursing pillow supports not only your baby, but also you, your body, your recovery, and your rest.
The right pillow is not necessarily the most expensive one, but the pillow that suits your specific situation.
By consciously choosing what works for you, you give yourself space to relax, feel, and trust. And it's precisely in that relaxation that the most valuable things often arise: peace, connection, and gentleness in feeding.
Love,
Bobby
Sources
Written by Bobby, maternity nurse at Bobby Kraamzorg. Last updated: September 2026.
Bobby believes in being transparent. Some links in this article are affiliate links. This information is free and stays free, for everyone. Bobby only recommends products she would recommend without a fee, and works with no sponsors. If you order through such a link, a small commission goes to Bobby. It is a way to support her, if you want to.
