How to Maximize Support From a Pregnancy Pillow Without Spending More
Get the comfort you need with the pillow you already own
When I first bought my pregnancy pillow, I thought it would solve all my sleep problems instantly. And while it definitely helped, I realized I wasn’t using it to its full potential. The truth is, you can get way more support from the pillow you already have—without spending another dime.
Here’s exactly how I learned to make the most of my pregnancy pillow so it worked harder for me, not the other way around.
Table of Contents
1. Adjust the Angle to Fit Your Body
Most people place their pregnancy pillow straight alongside their body, but changing the angle can give you more targeted support. I sometimes pull the top section closer to my head and push the bottom section further under my knees—this takes pressure off my hips instantly.
2. Layer With Regular Pillows
You don’t need to buy more pregnancy-specific products. Using a regular pillow under your belly, between your knees, or behind your back can make your pregnancy pillow setup feel custom-made for your body.
➡️ See my favorite budget-friendly support pillows on Amazon
3. Flip It for a Different Kind of Support
If you have a U-shaped pillow, try flipping it so the opening is at your head instead of your feet. This makes the arms of the pillow hug your sides differently and can add more back or belly support depending on what you need that night.
4. Use It Outside the Bedroom
I started bringing my pregnancy pillow to the couch and even my office chair. Wrapping it behind my back while sitting gave me the same comfort during the day that I enjoyed at night.
5. Customize With What You Already Have
Don’t forget you can stuff extra filling into certain areas if your pillow has a zipper. I once moved some filling from one side to another to give my back section more firmness without buying anything new.
6. Switch Sleep Positions Gradually
If you need more belly support but don’t want to buy a wedge pillow, try rolling slightly toward your pillow instead of lying flat on it. This way, you’re using more of the surface area for gentle lift and pressure relief.
7. Rotate for Even Wear
Your pillow will give you better support for longer if you rotate it every few nights. This prevents certain sections from going flat too soon and keeps the filling evenly distributed.
8. Combine With Bedding Tricks
Sometimes the problem isn’t the pillow—it’s the mattress or sheets. I added a lightweight mattress topper and used a breathable cotton sheet, which helped my pregnancy pillow feel cooler and more supportive.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend more money to get better support from your pregnancy pillow. With a few adjustments—like changing angles, using extra pillows you already own, and rotating your setup—you can transform your current pillow into a customized comfort tool.
Personally, once I started layering my pillow with a couple of regular ones I already had, I slept more comfortably than ever—without buying a single new accessory.
➡️ Check out my list of budget-friendly pregnancy pillow hacks here (Amazon)
One of my favorite free hacks was tucking the pillow under my fitted sheet. This not only kept it from sliding around but also gave the filling a slightly firmer feel, which made my back support much better.
If you feel like your pillow is too soft, try wrapping a thin blanket around it in the section where you need more lift. I did this under my belly area, and it gave me the extra firmness I needed without buying a wedge.
For hot nights, I found that placing a breathable cotton towel between me and the pillow kept me cooler and helped prevent sweat from breaking down the pillow fabric over time.
Another trick is to fold or bend the arms of a U-shaped pillow into more of an L-shape for side lounging. This gave me targeted belly and back support for reading or watching TV.
If you have a C-shaped pillow, try reversing it so the open part is at your back. This shifts the support to your belly and knees while keeping your back free for airflow.
I also started using my pregnancy pillow vertically instead of horizontally on some nights. It supported my head, neck, and spine in one long line, which was great for posture and hip pain.
If your pillow has developed flat spots, you can redistribute filling from one side to another by massaging it with your hands. I did this every couple of weeks and noticed it stayed supportive much longer.
A surprisingly effective hack is stacking the pillow on top of a regular body pillow for extra height in certain areas. This is especially helpful if you need more incline for reflux or breathing issues.
I learned that even during the day, using my pillow for leg elevation while working from home helped reduce swelling and pressure on my hips—something I didn’t realize until later in pregnancy.
For postpartum recovery, I kept my pregnancy pillow as a lounging and feeding station. Wrapping it around me during nursing meant I didn’t need to buy an additional nursing pillow right away.
If you’re short on bed space, you can use just one arm of a U-shaped pillow along with your regular pillow. This gives you half the bulk but still enough belly and knee support to sleep comfortably.
Lastly, I always fluffed my pillow before bed. Just taking a minute to shake and reshape it kept it from feeling compressed and gave me better support without needing to add new stuffing.