Relvay makes a pregnancy pillow. We also tell you below when you should not buy one.
The short answer
The Purflo Breathe is a 116 cm curved pillow with a 3D spacer mesh panel in the centre, where your bump rests. The curved ends are cotton jersey over polyester filling, not mesh.
- Suits you if a hot bump is your main complaint.
- Do not expect the whole pillow to feel like the mesh.
- Baby claims on the page are a separate topic.
Who is the Purflo Breathe pillow for?
It is for side sleepers whose bump gets hot and damp against a pillow, and who want a mid-length curved pillow rather than a full U. It is not a whole-body cooling pillow.
1:30 a.m.
It was July, I was 31 weeks, and the fan was on high. The pillow I had wrapped around me was soft and lovely at ten o'clock. By one thirty the strip of fabric under my bump was damp, and I peeled myself off it like a sticker.
I flipped the pillow to find a cool side. There was no cool side. So I started reading about mesh pillows at 2 a.m., which is when every product page sounds like the answer.
"the fabric is not breathable. It kept me too toasty while super pregnant in the summer."Amazon review of a pregnancy pillow
"the velor cover gets a bit warm in the warmer weather"Amazon review of a pregnancy pillow
Before you buy breathable, find out which part breathes.
Where is the mesh on the Purflo Breathe?
In the centre. Purflo describes a central 3D spacer mesh panel shaped to follow a pregnant body, giving breathability around the bump area. The rest of the pillow is soft interlock jersey cotton.
Centre panel3D spacer mesh, 100% polyester. The part that sits against your bump.
Top endCurved, cotton jersey. Purflo says it supports the head.
Bottom endCurved, cotton jersey. Purflo says it supports the hips, knees and ankles.
Spacer mesh is a fabric with an open, springy structure, so air can pass through it more easily than through a dense knit. That is a fair reason to expect the panel to feel less clammy than velour. It tells you nothing about the ends, which touch your face, hips and legs through ordinary jersey, or about the polyester filling under everything.
A mesh panel is a breathable patch, not a breathable pillow.
If staying cool is your main goal, our guide on how to evaluate cooling claims walks through every way a pillow can trap heat.
What shape and size is the Purflo Breathe?
It is 43 by 116 cm, about 17 by 46 inches, with both ends curved. That is shorter than a full-length U pillow, which typically runs about 59 to 63 inches.
The length matters because Purflo says the curves support your head at one end and your hips, knees and ankles at the other. On a 46 inch pillow, whether both ends land where they are meant to depends on your height. Lie on your side and measure from the top of your head to your ankle along your curve. If you are a lot longer than 46 inches in that position, expect the ends to reach your head or your ankles, not both.
Mother&Baby's tester, as shown in search results, liked the thick stuffing and firm support but found it quite heavy to move in the night. A firm, heavy pillow stays put, and it also takes more effort when you turn over.
Which Purflo Breathe claims have evidence behind them?
The materials, size and care are plain facts on the maker page. The bigger promises are general claims with no model-specific evidence we could find.
| Claim on the page | What backs it | Our read |
|---|---|---|
| Breathability around the bump | A spacer mesh panel in the centre | Plausible for that panel only |
| Supports head, hips, knees and ankles | Curved ends | Depends on your height |
| Can help baby into the best birth position | A general statement about pregnancy pillows, no study cited | No model evidence |
| Helpful after a C-section | Maker statement | No model evidence |
| Suitable from 0 to 8 months, tummy time | Infant-use text on the same page | Outside this review |
The infant section of the page is about a different job for the same pillow. It is not safety guidance for you, and this review does not cover it. If baby use matters to you, look for the maker's own written guidance on it.
How do you wash the Purflo Breathe, and is it worth it?
Both parts wash. The cover goes on a gentle 40°C (104°F) cycle and the insert on a gentle 30°C (86°F) cycle, both tumble dried low. It is worth a look if a hot bump is your main problem and you can find stock.
| Detail | What we found |
|---|---|
| Cover | Removable, gentle 40°C wash, tumble dry low, no bleach, iron or dry cleaning |
| Insert | Gentle 30°C wash, tumble dry low, reshape while damp |
| Price | £54 at Purflo UK, NZ$119.95 in New Zealand |
| Stock | Sold out at Purflo UK and at a New Zealand retailer when we checked |
Reported strengths
- Mesh panel right where the bump rests
- Insert and cover both machine wash
- Firm, thick stuffing
Watch out for
- Only the centre panel is mesh
- Heavy to move at night
- Hard to find in stock, especially in the US
Eva liked the idea of mesh under her bump but could not find it in stock. What she really wanted was less pillow touching her. She kept a thin pillow between her knees and went looking for something small that held only the bump and her back.
Frequently asked questions
Is the whole Purflo Breathe pillow made of mesh?
No. Only the central panel is 3D spacer mesh. The curved ends are cotton jersey, and the filling is polyester.
How big is the Purflo Breathe pregnancy pillow?
Purflo lists it at 43 by 116 cm, about 17 by 46 inches, with both ends curved.
Can you wash the Purflo Breathe insert?
Yes. Purflo says the insert can go on a gentle 30°C wash and be tumble dried low, reshaped while damp. The cover washes at 40°C on a gentle cycle.
Will the Purflo Breathe keep me cool all night?
It may help where your bump rests on the mesh. The rest of the pillow is jersey over polyester, so it will not feel cool everywhere it touches you.
Is the Purflo Breathe available in the US?
We found it on UK and New Zealand stores, and it was sold out at both when we checked. Ask the seller about shipping before you plan around it.
If you want less pillow touching you
Relvay does not make a mesh pillow or a cooling pillow, and our set is not sold as one, so this is not a Purflo alternative like for like. What we make is a small 3-Piece set: two wedges for the bump and back joined by a strap. Because it is small, less of it is against your body than a long curved pillow.
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.
Probably not for you if
- You want a mesh or cooling fabric against your bump.
- You want one pillow from head to ankles.
- You want a feeding cushion as well.
Made for you if
- You want only the bump and back held.
- You share a full or queen bed.
- You want 90 days from delivery to decide.
Eva's story is a composite based on real reviews and public posts from pregnant side sleepers. Names and details are changed.
