Can a Pregnancy Pillow Help You Sleep Better Postpartum?
After giving birth, I assumed my sleep would instantly improve since I no longer had a baby bump. But I was wrong—my body was sore, my hips still ached, and I couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position. That’s when I realized my trusty pregnancy pillow could actually help me sleep better postpartum.
In this post, I’ll share how a pregnancy pillow can support your recovery and why you might not want to pack it away just yet.
Table of Contents
Why Sleep Is So Hard After Birth
Your body has been through a lot, and postpartum sleep isn’t always easy. Between hormonal shifts, nighttime feedings, and general discomfort, it can be hard to rest well. For me, my hips and back still felt misaligned, and I often woke up sore.
That’s when I decided to bring back my pregnancy pillow, and I was shocked at how much it helped.
How a Pregnancy Pillow Helps Postpartum
1. Relieves Pressure on Sore Areas
After birth, your hips, tailbone, and lower back can be sensitive. Using a pregnancy pillow keeps your body supported and relieves pressure while you rest.
➡️ My go-to for postpartum: PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow on Amazon – it surrounds your body from all sides.
2. Supports Nursing and Bottle-Feeding
I also used my U-shaped pillow as a nursing pillow. It propped up my arms and baby at the right height, which saved my shoulders and neck from extra strain during late-night feeds.
➡️ The Leachco Snoogle C-Shaped Pillow works well for feeding sessions too.
3. Improves Sleep Positioning
Sleeping on my side with a pillow between my knees kept my hips aligned and reduced postpartum aches. The pillow also prevented me from rolling onto my stomach before I was ready.
➡️ Try the AngQi J-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow if you want a slimmer option.
4. Eases Recovery From C-Sections
If you had a C-section, placing a wedge pillow under your belly or behind your back can relieve incision pain. It also helps you sit up more comfortably in bed.
➡️ The Hiccapop Pregnancy Wedge Pillow is perfect for targeted support.
When to Keep Using Your Pregnancy Pillow
I kept my pregnancy pillow for months after delivery. It was helpful for:
- Side sleeping while my body healed
- Nursing and pumping support
- Sitting up in bed comfortably
- Relieving back and hip pain after long days
➡️ Shop my favorite pregnancy pillows for postpartum support here on Amazon
My Final Thoughts
Yes—a pregnancy pillow can absolutely help you sleep better postpartum. It supports your healing body, makes feeding easier, and keeps you more comfortable during those precious hours of rest.
Personally, I loved using the PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pillow even months after birth because it kept me aligned and pain-free.
➡️ Click here to shop the best pregnancy pillows for postpartum recovery on Amazon
Trust me, you’ll be glad you kept it out a little longer.
When I first came home from the hospital, I underestimated how sore and tired my body would feel. Using my pregnancy pillow postpartum gave me the support I desperately needed while my body was still healing.
One of the biggest benefits I noticed was how the pillow kept my hips and back aligned. Even though I wasn’t pregnant anymore, my joints still felt loose from all the pregnancy hormones, and the extra support helped me avoid waking up stiff.
I also used my pillow as a barrier between me and my partner while I was still sensitive from delivery. Having that little bit of space made me feel safer and more comfortable while I slept.
If you’re breastfeeding, the pregnancy pillow can double as a nursing station. I would wrap it around my waist, and it propped my baby up at just the right height so I didn’t have to hunch over.
For C-section recovery, the pillow was a lifesaver. I placed it gently across my stomach for light pressure and protection when I needed to cough, sneeze, or get up from bed.
I also used a wedge pillow behind my back when I wanted to sit upright. This kept me from straining my core muscles too much in the early weeks of recovery.
Another unexpected benefit was that the pillow helped with pumping sessions. I could sit in bed comfortably with my arms and pump equipment supported, which made the process much less tiring.
I found that using the pillow for daytime naps was just as helpful as at night. It’s easy to overlook rest when caring for a newborn, but the pillow made those short naps more restorative.
One mistake I made at first was putting my pregnancy pillow away too soon. I thought I didn’t “need it anymore,” but my sleep quality dropped almost instantly. I pulled it back out, and the difference was incredible.
If you’re struggling with anxiety postpartum, the pillow can also provide a comforting cocoon-like feeling. That sense of security was so helpful for me during those emotional early weeks.
I also loved that I could use the pillow to create a comfortable feeding or bonding space for my baby on the couch or floor (always supervised, of course). It’s a versatile item that worked far beyond pregnancy.
Finally, remember that your recovery takes time. Keeping your pregnancy pillow in rotation will help your body heal more comfortably, and you’ll be able to focus on bonding with your baby instead of dealing with pain and discomfort.
I also found that using my pregnancy pillow made it easier to switch positions at night. Rolling over after childbirth can be painful, and having the pillow support my hips and back gave me the leverage I needed to move more comfortably.
Another big perk was using the pillow to elevate my legs and feet, especially when I was dealing with postpartum swelling. Keeping my legs slightly raised at night improved my circulation and helped me wake up feeling less puffy.
Lastly, don’t underestimate how helpful the pillow can be for self-care moments. I used it while relaxing, watching TV, or even just reading for a few minutes during nap time. Having that extra comfort made those small breaks feel restorative.