How to sleep with a nursing pillow?

It is important to first make a good selection from the various pregnancy pillows available on the market.

The breastfeeding pillow must adapt to the expectant mother's body shape. It therefore needs to be malleable and firm enough, thanks to the small beads it contains.

The sensations will vary for the pregnant woman and her baby depending on how the nursing pillow is positioned under different parts of the body

The pregnancy pillow is a pillow specially designed to support women throughout their pregnancy, right up to the birth of their baby, at which point it takes on new uses.

After the birth, it can be used to feed your baby in the greatest comfort, so you can enjoy all the benefits of breastfeeding with complete peace of mind.

The maternity pillow is particularly useful for pregnant women as it helps relieve any discomfort they may experience during pregnancy and allows them to sleep peacefully by elevating certain parts of the body when trying to get to sleep.

The nursing pillow can be used in different positions during pregnancy to protect the sleep of the expectant mother and help her to sleep.

For sleeping on your side 

Know, mums-to-be, that if you wish to sleep on your side, a pregnancy pillow can help relieve your back. To do so, unfold your pillow so that it is as open as possible. 

Ideally, lie on your left side. This position helps free the vena cava, maintain good blood circulation and therefore support exchanges with your baby. 

Place the nursing pillow along your body, rest your bump on it and pass the end of the pregnancy pillow between your two legs. 

Raise your right leg high enough so as not to arch your back, and rest it comfortably on the pregnancy pillow. 

If your pregnancy pillow is large enough, you can rest your head on its end, and this will help you keep your whole body aligned, which is a better position for both you and your baby. 

You can absolutely lie on your right side if you feel more comfortable doing so in early pregnancy. However, in late pregnancy, it is recommended to lie on your left side for the reasons outlined above.

Find our full article on sleeping position during pregnancy.

When lying down

Similarly, if you need to stay in bed with a certain risk of premature birth, you will find comfort with the pregnancy pillow. Indeed, if you are advised to lie down as often as possible before the baby is born, this position with the lower part of your bottom resting on the pregnancy pillow and your legs resting over it will allow your baby to position itself a little higher in the uterus, while also helping you to release the pain that has built up in your lower back and abdomen.

Relieving lower abdominal pain

The maternity pillow can also help you release certain tensions that build up throughout the day in your lower abdomen. In general, you can use the pregnancy pillow as soon as you are seated by wrapping it around your body and tucking both ends under your bump. This will gently support your bump to help limit tension. When you are lying down and your bump has been supporting your baby all day, you can place your maternity pillow under your bottom to straighten your back and relax your abdomen.

Relieving heavy legs

During pregnancy, heavy legs, swollen feet and water retention can sometimes be a daily occurrence. To help with these discomforts, you can place your maternity pillow under your legs. This will help regulate your blood circulation in that area, relieving the pain and sensations of heavy legs. You will also be less likely to arch your back.

Our heavy legs food supplement, compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding, may also help. 

Easing neck pain

Still lying on your back, you may need to relieve some stiffness in your neck. If so, slide the centre of the pregnancy pillow under your neck and let your arms rest on either side of the nursing pillow. This will have two effects: helping to prevent snoring if your upper airways are slightly narrower due to weight gain, and reducing the tension you may feel in your upper body (nape, neck, cervical spine).

There are certainly other positions that can help pregnant women fall asleep or sleep better with a nursing pillow. You will have found a few examples in this article, but we cannot recommend anything better than trying out your pregnancy pillow and using it in whichever way gives you the most relief. You will need it during this period!

To find out more, take a look at our article on breastfeeding and sleep.