Relvay makes a pregnancy pillow. We also tell you below when you should not buy one.
The short answer
Fit the cover, thread each end through a Pebble, then slide the Pebbles to set firmness. In for firmer, out for softer. Lie on your side and tuck the pillow under your bump and between your knees and ankles.
- Firmer: slide the Pebbles toward the middle.
- Wash: cover only, never the inner pillow.
- Never: open the inner zipper.
How do you set up a bbhugme pregnancy pillow?
Five steps, all from bbhugme's own guide. The only part people usually miss is step three.
- Pull the cover over the inner pillow, leaving extra fabric at each end.
- Thread the extra fabric at one end through a Pebble. Repeat at the other end with the second Pebble.
- Push both Pebbles toward the middle until the beads feel packed enough to hold their shape.
- Lie on your side next to the pillow and tuck it under your bump and between your knees and ankles.
- Rest your head on the end of the pillow or on your normal pillow, depending on your height.
Week 30, a weeknight
For three nights Lila thought she had bought the wrong pillow. It sagged off her bump and slumped between her knees like a sock full of sand. The two little silicone rings sat right at the tips of the cover, where they had arrived.
On night four she found the setup video, slid both rings a hand's width inward, and lay back down. "It was a different pillow," she said. "Same one. I had just never set it."
How do you make a bbhugme pillow firmer or softer?
Slide the Pebbles. bbhugme says to tighten them for more firmness; loosening them lowers the volume and the firmness.
| What you feel | What to change | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Bump sinks through it | Both Pebbles further in | Packs the beads into a firmer middle |
| Knees feel pushed too far apart | Pebbles a little out | Less volume between your legs |
| Too firm to mold around you | Pebbles out, then reshape | Looser beads follow your body |
| Changes every night | Check the Pebbles still grip the fabric | A loose Pebble can slide on its own |
Adjust in small moves, a couple of inches at a time, and lie on it for a minute between changes. Your body changes week to week, so a setting that was right at 24 weeks may not be at 34.
What if your bbhugme does not match these steps?
Stop and confirm your version before forcing anything. Listings have described the inside differently over time, so a used or older pillow may not match today's guide.
- No Pebbles in the box? The setup above depends on them. Contact bbhugme or the seller before using a substitute clip or tie.
- A label that says something other than EPS microbeads? One review describes BioFoam beads plus silicone pebbles. Follow the care on your own label.
- A zipper on the inner pillow? That is the double zipper bbhugme says never to open. It is not a way to add or remove filling.
- Bought second hand? Read our used pillow checklist before you sleep on it.
When you write to bbhugme, include a photo of the label, a photo of the Pebbles and where you bought it. That gets you an answer for your version, not the current one.
How do you wash a bbhugme pregnancy pillow?
Machine wash the outer cover at 40°C (104°F) and hang it to dry. Spot clean the inner pillow only. Pebbles can go in the dishwasher.
- Outer cover: washing machine at 40°C (104°F). No bleach, no fabric softener. Hang to dry, do not tumble dry.
- Inner pillow: spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then let it air dry somewhere well ventilated. Never put it in a washer or dryer.
- Pebbles: dishwasher safe, or wash by hand with soap and warm water.
Put the cover back on only when both pieces are fully dry, then redo the Pebbles from step two above.
What does bbhugme say not to do?
bbhugme says the pillow is for adults only, the inner zipper stays closed, and a baby or child must never sleep on or with it.
The microbeads are small, and bbhugme points out they can be a choking hazard for children if the inner pillow is opened. Keep the pillow off any baby's sleep space and away from kids who like zips. This guide only covers using it for your own sleep in pregnancy.
Ongoing hip, pelvic or back pain is something to raise with your midwife or OB-GYN. Setup advice is for comfort.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Pebbles on a bbhugme pillow?
Two small rings made of BPA-free silicone, according to bbhugme. The extra cover fabric at each end threads through one, and sliding them in or out changes how firm the pillow feels.
Can you put a bbhugme pillow in the washing machine?
Only the outer cover, at 40°C (104°F), hung to dry. bbhugme says the inner pillow is spot clean only and must not go in a washer or dryer.
Can you add or remove beads from a bbhugme pillow?
No. bbhugme says not to unzip the double zipper on the inner pillow or try to remove the microbeads. Firmness is set with the Pebbles instead.
Do you need a separate head pillow with a bbhugme?
Maybe. bbhugme says that depending on your height you can rest your head on the pillow or use a regular pillow.
If you set it up right and still want something different
Relvay does not make bbhugme parts or a bead pillow. If your bbhugme is set right and you still wake up needing support behind your back as well as under your bump, our two-wedge set is one different approach. If the bbhugme works for you, keep it.
Two wedges for bump and back, joined by a flat strap, about as wide as your torso. Keep a regular pillow between your knees. $79.99, 90-day returns.
Lila's story is a composite based on public posts from pregnant side sleepers setting up adjustable pillows. Names and details are changed.
