BBHugme Pregnancy Pillow review

From the Slumberdown V-Shaped Pillow, which can be found for as little as £10, to the innovative Dreamgenii Pregnancy Support Pillow, which sells for £44.99, there are numerous offerings out there – from wedges to L-shapes to sausages – at various price points to suit your budget and needs. The bbhugme is a premium product at the top end of the scale – both in price and thoughtful design.

Developed by 3 female Norwegian chiropractors with a specialism in pre- and post-natal care, the bbhugme is a 150cm-long, sausage-shaped mega-pillow designed to adapt to your changing pregnant body.

On a 5-point mission to support your belly, lower back, pelvis, knees and ankles, the pillow is filled with microbeads that enable it to be compressed and moulded around you, with ties at each end that slide up and down, allowing the pillow to become harder or softer depending on your needs.

As the name suggests, the pillow is designed to be hugged – you wrap your arms and legs around it and also rest your head on it (though you can just use it as a regular pillow for your head instead).

This helps to support your entire body, improve alignment and nix any aches and pains you might experience as the trimesters roll on.

Tested by:

Amy is a first-time mum who began testing the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow at 34 weeks pregnant after experiencing hip pain and cramp at night. She continued to test the product once her son was born.

First impressions of the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow?

My initial thought? Crikey, it’s big. Although it came in an easily transportable carry case, once I’d pulled it out and placed it onto the bed I was slightly alarmed – but also impressed – by how large it was. The sleek Scandi design and the cool muted colour – a eucalyptus/coral colourway – meant that it looked stylish on the bed.

Is it easy to use the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow?

Although it’s not complicated to use, it’s helpful to check out the (very) basic guidelines included in the case on how to use the pillow.

However, I found it more helpful to visit the bbhugme YouTube channel to get a comprehensive idea of the myriad ways to use it, such as leaning back on it or creating an ‘O’ shape to lie on, belly down.

How comfortable is the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow?

Very. So comfy in fact that I discovered my husband using it one afternoon as a back rest. Although I was cynical about the comfort levels of something so big in the bed, the ‘hug me’ element is exactly what makes it so pleasing.

The pillow is soft, with a sturdy but adaptable feel thanks to the microbeads inside, and the cotton-mix case feels smooth and luxe against your skin. By moving the ties up and down, you can vary how hard or soft the product feels – making it sturdier if you need more support.

How much room does it take up?

Quite a bit. The pillow’s unique appeal is that unlike most other products on the market, the bbhugme offers almost full-body support. This means it has to be long – 1.5m, to be precise.

As I’m only 5ft 2in, it’s almost as long as I am, which meant I could enjoy the benefits of head-to-toe support, but it did also feel a little like having a third person in the bed!

However, it can be shaped easily and pushed out of the way, or angled to suit your needs. And if you don’t want to leave it out during the day, you can fold it back into its case.

Does the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow aid sleep?

A resounding yes. This is ultimately what you are paying lots of money for – a successful sleep product. Earlier on in my pregnancy, I had been using the Dreamgenii, which, thanks to its back-support section, helped me remain in position on my left side and not roll onto my back. I had also been placing it between my knees as I was increasingly experiencing pain in my right hip that would linger into the next day.

As my pregnancy progressed, I found I was increasingly waking up throughout the night with the hip pain, which sometimes prevented me from falling asleep in the first place. I also had cramp in my calves.

Although my Dreamgenii had been effective in the earlier months, I found come third trimester it wasn’t bulky enough to support my right leg and hip when I slept on my left side. This, however, did the trick. Hip pain vanished and cramp reduced, which I think was down to better alignment.

And as my bump grew huge and I began to feel more and more heavy and tired (thanks not just to those aches, but to those fun, frequent, night-time loo visits), good sleep became evasive just when I needed it most.

But the bbhugme rose to the occasion. My bump felt nicely nestled when I shaped the microbeads into a gentle dip around it.

I was worried I would need support to prevent me rolling onto my back as well, but the ‘hugging’ element of the pillow meant I remained contentedly in position most of the night. For a product that essentially looks like an oversized sausage, I was impressed by how effective it was.

Did you use the pillow for relief during the day, too?

Yes, once I’d got familiar with its bulk and how adaptable it could be, I’d fold the pillow into a horseshoe shape and use it as a back and arm rest while sitting on the bed.

And for an absolute treat, I discovered on the bbhugme YouTube page that you can tie it into a doughnut shape and lie on your front with your bump in the hole. Taking the pressure off my body was absolute heaven, and in those moments of face-down bliss, the price seemed immaterial compared to the comfort and relief it offered.

Is the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow better than a normal pillow?

Absolutely. It’s in another league. Plenty of people would advise me to put a normal pillow between my knees, which, yes, can help a bit, but it’s not comparable to the bbhugme.

How robust and durable does it seem?

Very. The cotton-elastane case has good stretch so it won’t rip or wear away quickly, and the sophisticated Velcro- and zip-free design is tailored towards regular use, with low risk of anything unravelling, breaking or rubbing against your skin.

What do you think of the design of the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow?

It’s Scandi chic simplicity at its finest, and there are a range of colours and patterns to choose from, so you’re bound to find one that suits your bedroom and personality.

And even though it was developed by chiropractors, there’s nothing clinical-looking about it, so no need to worry about your interiors shots for Instagram!

Is it machine washable?

Yes, you can wash the pillow case at 40 degrees.

Is the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow easy to move around the house?

Yes, at 2kg it’s not heavy, though it can be quite cumbersome, so don’t attempt to move it while holding a mug of tea (or a baby!).

Can you use the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow as a maternity/feeding pillow?

Yes, the website suggests you can, although the brand also sells a specific nursing pillow (£65 on Amazon) that is smaller. Once my baby was born, I did try to use the pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow, but it personally felt too bulky for me.

Can you use it with the baby or as a tummy-time pillow?

The smaller nursing pillow has been suggested for tummy time on the brand’s Instagram page, but right now the pregnancy pillow feels too bulky to use with my newborn – although I’m sure once he gets a bit bigger the pillow can be adapted to help him sit up or lean on.

You can also buy a Baby Pod, which covers the pillow and turns it into a pod for your baby to lie on – a really worthwhile purchase to increase the usage potential of the product.

What’s in the box?

• Pillow
• Casing
• ‘Pebbles’, which tie the ends
• Basic usage and care instructions

Do you need any extra accessories?

No, although you can buy additional cases for £28. And you can also buy a Baby Pod (£33).

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow?

The product dimensions and whether it really is as comfortable as it claims (it is).

Would you recommend this pillow?

Yes, in terms of comfort and support, it’s amazing. But… I do find the price slightly galling.

Who would the product be most useful for?

Obviously, pregnant women struggling to sleep, whether through hip or pelvic pain, or just because they are in need of bump support, but it would also be helpful for anyone needing some ergonomic assistance to rest better at night.

Post-pregnancy, I’m still using it some nights to get really comfy – and found that during the early days of breastfeeding when my breasts were sore, using the pillow as a prop to support my body helped them feel less tender when lying on my side.

Is the bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow value for money?

This is a tricky question. With other pillow products on the market as cheap as £10, the bbhugme at £125.00 does feel eye-wateringly pricey. However, it is almost decadently comfy – often snaffled for relaxation by my husband and visitors alike.

And more to the point, it works – can you really put a price on a good night’s sleep? I’d recommend purchasing early in pregnancy to maximise usage.

Has the product or the parent company won any awards?

Yes, the bbhugme won Silver at the MadeForMums Awards 2019, as well as a Best Design Award from The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture.

Where can I buy it?

It's available from bbhugme, Amazon and JoJo Maman Bebe.

MadeForMums verdict:

If pregnancy is putting a strain on your body and sleep is proving evasive, this pillow is a worthy investment. The price is high, so it does depend on your budget, but if a good night’s kip is a priority, the bbhugme will reward you immensely.

Highly recommended if you’re looking for comfortable, less achey nights – and you’ve got room in your bed to spare.

Read more...

• 10 of the best pregnancy pillows
• Best nursing and support pillows