When Should You Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow?

You're lying in bed at 11 PM, trying approximately fourteen different positions to get comfortable. Your back's sore. Your hips feel weird. You can't lie on your stomach anymore (obviously), and somehow lying on your back makes you feel like you can't breathe properly.

And then it hits you: maybe I need a pregnancy pillow?

But you're only 15 weeks along. Or maybe you're 8 weeks. Or 25. Is it too early? Too late? Are you being dramatic, or is this actually the moment everyone talks about?

Let's talk about when you should actually start using a pregnancy pillow, because the answer might surprise you.

The Short Answer: Whenever You're Uncomfortable

Here's the thing nobody tells you when you're googling this at midnight: there's no magic week number where a pregnancy pillow suddenly becomes necessary.

You don't wake up at exactly 20 weeks and think, "Ah yes, it's pregnancy pillow time!"

The real answer? You should start using a pregnancy pillow when your body tells you it needs one. And your body is a pretty good communicator.

If you're struggling to sleep comfortably, tossing and turning all night, or waking up with aches and pains, that's your body asking for help. Whether that's at 10 weeks or 30 weeks doesn't really matter.

When Most Australian Mums Start Using One

That said, there are some pretty clear patterns in when most women start reaching for a pregnancy pillow.

Second trimester (around 16-20 weeks) is when the majority of mums-to-be invest in proper pregnancy support. This is typically when:

Your bump becomes noticeably bigger and heavier
Sleeping on your stomach becomes impossible (and probably uncomfortable even before that)
Side sleeping starts feeling awkward without support
Your usual pillow fort isn't cutting it anymore

By week 20, your baby bump has proper weight to it, and your body's centre of gravity has shifted. This puts extra pressure on your back, hips, and pelvis, making a pregnancy pillow less of a "nice to have" and more of a "how did I survive without this?"

Third trimester (28+ weeks) is when pregnancy pillows become absolutely essential for most women. If you've been holding out or making do with regular pillows, this is when you'll probably cave and buy one. The bump is at its heaviest, hip pain intensifies, and finding any comfortable position without support feels impossible.

But here's what's interesting: an increasing number of Australian mums are starting earlier.

Why Starting Early Might Actually Be Smart

There's a growing trend of women using pregnancy pillows from the first trimester, and honestly? It's not a bad idea.

Here's why starting early can work in your favour:

1. You build the side-sleeping habit before you have to

Doctors recommend sleeping on your side (particularly your left side) from around 20 weeks onward to optimize blood flow to your baby. Sleeping on your back in later pregnancy can compress major blood vessels and isn't safe for your baby.

If you've been a back sleeper or stomach sleeper your whole life, suddenly switching to side sleeping at 20 weeks can be rough. Your body has to adjust to a completely new sleep position right when you're already dealing with all the other discomforts of pregnancy.

Starting early with a pregnancy pillow helps you gradually adapt to side sleeping when the stakes are lower and you're not desperate for relief.

2. You prevent problems instead of just treating them

By the time you're in pain, you're already behind the curve. A pregnancy pillow used early can help prevent back pain, hip discomfort, and sleep issues from developing in the first place.

Think of it like prenatal vitamins. You don't wait until you're deficient to start taking them. You use them proactively.

3. You're already pregnant, why suffer unnecessarily?

Look, pregnancy is hard enough. If a pillow makes you more comfortable at 12 weeks, use it. You don't get bonus points for toughing it out.

Some women feel silly using a pregnancy pillow "too early" because their bump isn't showing yet. But comfort isn't about how you look. It's about how you feel. And if you're feeling uncomfortable at 8 weeks, that's just as valid as feeling uncomfortable at 28 weeks.

The Signs It's Time to Get a Pregnancy Pillow

Not sure if you're ready? Here are the clear signals that your body is asking for a pregnancy pillow:

You're building pillow forts at night

If you're currently using three regular pillows—one between your knees, one under your bump, one behind your back—and spending five minutes arranging them before you can settle down, just get a pregnancy pillow. You're already trying to create one; you just don't have the right tool for the job.

You wake up with aches that weren't there before

New pregnancy-related back pain, hip soreness, or that weird shoulder ache that won't quit? Your body's telling you it needs better support while you sleep.

You can't find a comfortable position anymore

If you're doing the midnight shuffle—rolling from side to side, flopping onto your back, trying to get comfortable for more than ten minutes—a pregnancy pillow gives you the support to actually stay in one position comfortably.

Your partner is awake because you're awake

When your tossing and turning is keeping both of you up, it's definitely time. A pregnancy pillow helps you settle faster and stay settled longer, which means better sleep for everyone.

You're googling "when should I start using a pregnancy pillow" at 2 AM

If you're reading this in the middle of the night because you can't sleep, that's probably your answer right there.

What About Starting "Too Early"?

Some women worry about starting too soon. Like, what if you buy a pregnancy pillow at 10 weeks and then don't really need it until 20 weeks? Is that wasteful?

Here's the thing: there's literally no downside to starting early.

Pregnancy pillows aren't like medication where timing matters. They're just supportive pillows. Using one at 8 weeks isn't going to harm you or your baby or mess anything up. It's just going to make you more comfortable.

And honestly, if you start using it early and find you don't really need it yet? Just use it as a regular comfortable pillow until your bump grows. Or use it to prop yourself up while reading. Or let your partner steal it when they've got a sore back.

The only "wrong" time to start using a pregnancy pillow is when you're suffering without one and stubbornly refusing to buy it because you think it's "too early." That's not dedication—that's just unnecessary suffering.

Different Trimesters, Different Needs

While there's no wrong time to start, how you use a pregnancy pillow might change as your pregnancy progresses.

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)

Your bump might not be showing yet, but your body is already changing. You might be exhausted, nauseous, or experiencing breast tenderness that makes certain positions uncomfortable.

At this stage, you might only need part of a modular pregnancy pillow—maybe just a wedge for back support, or something between your knees to ease hip pressure.

This is also a great time to start experimenting with side sleeping if you're normally a back or stomach sleeper. Get comfortable with the pillow now, before your bump makes it mandatory.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27)

This is when things get real. Your bump is growing, your centre of gravity is shifting, and sleep is becoming more challenging.

You'll probably start using the full pregnancy pillow setup: support under your bump, support behind your back, maybe something between your knees.

The second trimester is also when most women really appreciate an adjustable pregnancy pillow. Your body is changing rapidly, and what feels comfortable at 16 weeks might be totally different at 24 weeks. Being able to adjust the firmness, or reconfigure the pillow, is incredibly valuable.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40)

By now, a pregnancy pillow isn't optional. It's survival equipment.

Your bump is at its heaviest, putting maximum strain on your back and hips. You might be dealing with swelling in your legs and feet, carpal tunnel in your hands, and general exhaustion.

This is when you'll really appreciate having invested in a quality pillow earlier. You'll be using it every single night (and probably for daytime naps too), and it needs to hold up under constant use.

Many women increase the firmness of their adjustable pregnancy pillows during the third trimester to accommodate their larger bump and need for more substantial support.

Why Adjustable Pillows Make the "When" Question Easier

Here's why the ComfyBump Pregnancy Pillow is particularly brilliant for the whole "when should I start" question: it grows with you.

Traditional pregnancy pillows are one-size-fits-all. They might be perfect at 25 weeks, but too bulky at 12 weeks and not supportive enough at 36 weeks.

An adjustable pillow like ComfyBump solves this problem. You can:

Start using it early, adjusting the firmness to be more soft for gentle support
Gradually increase the firmness as your bump grows
Reconfigure the pieces depending on what you need that night
Use it differently in different trimesters
Use as a nursing pillow during postpartum

This means the answer to "when should I start?" becomes "whenever you want" because the pillow adapts to wherever you are in your pregnancy journey.

You're not locked into one setup or one firmness level, which makes starting early less risky. You're not buying a pillow that might be wrong for your current stage. You're buying a pillow that adjusts to meet you wherever you are.

The Cost Question: Is It Worth Starting Early?

Let's address the elephant in the room: pregnancy pillows aren't cheap. If you're going to start using one at 12 weeks instead of 24 weeks, is that really worth the investment?

Short answer: yes.

Here's why: you're not paying for twelve weeks of use versus twenty-four weeks of use. You're paying for better sleep quality throughout your entire pregnancy—and beyond.

A good pregnancy pillow (especially one that converts to a breastfeeding pillow) will be used for:

However many weeks you have left in pregnancy (anywhere from 28 to 40+ weeks depending on when you buy it)
The entire duration of breastfeeding (could be 3 months, could be 2 years—everyone's different)
Postpartum recovery support
Future pregnancies if you're planning to have more children

When you look at it that way, the difference between starting at 12 weeks versus 24 weeks is negligible. You're still getting months or even years of use out of it.

And more importantly: what's the value of actually sleeping well during pregnancy? Of waking up without back pain? Of not spending half the night trying to get comfortable?

Those benefits start the moment you start using the pillow, whether that's week 10 or week 30. Starting earlier just means you get those benefits for longer.

What If You're Already in Third Trimester?

Maybe you're reading this at 32 weeks thinking, "Well, I've missed the boat on starting early."

You haven't.

While starting early has benefits, starting at any point in pregnancy is better than not using a pregnancy pillow at all.

If you're in your third trimester and struggling, buying a pregnancy pillow now will still dramatically improve your sleep quality for the remainder of your pregnancy. You've probably got 6-10 weeks left, plus all the postpartum use—that's plenty of time to make it worthwhile.

And honestly, those final weeks of pregnancy are often the hardest for sleep. If a pregnancy pillow makes those weeks more bearable, it's worth every cent.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking "I should have bought this earlier, so now it's too late." It's never too late to sleep better.

How to Choose the Right Pillow for Your Stage

Once you've decided to start using a pregnancy pillow, choosing the right one matters—especially if you're starting early or late in pregnancy.

If you're starting in first trimester: Look for something compact and adjustable. You don't need a massive U-shaped pillow taking over your whole bed when you've barely got a bump yet. An adjustable pregnancy pillow like the ComfyBump is perfect because you can adjust the firmness as your belly begins to grow.

If you're starting in second trimester: This is the sweet spot where most pregnancy pillows will work well. Focus on finding something comfortable and supportive that fits your bed size and sleeping style. An adjustable option gives you flexibility as you move into third trimester.

If you're starting in third trimester: You need support NOW. Look for something that provides substantial support for both your bump and your back. Don't mess around with flimsy wedges that compress flat after a week. Invest in quality filling that will hold up under heavy nightly use for the remaining weeks of pregnancy.

Regardless of when you start: Make sure it converts to a breastfeeding pillow. You're about to spend a lot of time feeding a newborn, and having a pillow that serves double duty is brilliant. This makes the investment worthwhile no matter when you buy it.

Real Talk from Real Mums

Every pregnant woman I've talked to has slightly different advice about when to start using a pregnancy pillow, and that's because every pregnancy is different.

Some women are comfortable until week 28 and then suddenly desperately need support.

Others struggle with back pain from week 8 and benefit from early intervention.

Some women buy a pregnancy pillow at 14 weeks, barely use it until 24 weeks, and then use it religiously for the rest of pregnancy.

All of these experiences are normal and valid.

The common thread? Not a single woman has ever said "I regret buying a pregnancy pillow" or "I wish I'd waited longer to get one."

The regrets all go the other way: "I wish I'd bought one earlier" or "I should have stopped being stubborn and bought one when I first started feeling uncomfortable."

The Bottom Line

So when should you start using a pregnancy pillow?

The practical answer: Most women start around 16-20 weeks when their bump gets bigger and sleep becomes more challenging.

The honest answer: Whenever you're uncomfortable. If that's at 10 weeks, great. If that's at 28 weeks, also great.

The real answer: Probably earlier than you think you "should."

Pregnancy is already hard enough. You don't get bonus points for suffering through poor sleep or daily back pain. If a pregnancy pillow would make you more comfortable, use it.

Your body is working incredibly hard to grow a human. Give it the support it's asking for, whenever it asks for it.

And if you're sitting there reading this, still on the fence about whether it's "time" yet? That hesitation is probably your answer. You're thinking about it because your body is telling you something.

Listen to it.

Ready to finally sleep comfortably? The ComfyBump Pregnancy Pillow adjusts to support you at every stage of pregnancy, whether you're just starting to show or counting down the final weeks.

Every pregnancy is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. If you're experiencing significant pain or sleep issues, always chat with your healthcare provider. This article is based on general experiences and product design principles, not medical advice.

Related Reading:

When Should You Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow? (The Honest Answer)