Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow review

Cushy Puff is a luxury option. It’s a full-body, customisable pillow with a microbead filling and 95% cotton, 5% spandex jersey fabric cover that stays relatively cool overnight. What particularly sets it apart from other pregnancy pillows is its chic design and range of colourways. It feel more like a long-term home accessory than a temporary pregnancy aid, which goes some way to justifying its hefty price tag. At £145 you’ll certainly find cheaper options, but if you’ve got the cash to spare, this pillow delivers in terms of versatility and stylishness.

• You can buy the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow at Cushy Puff (£145)

How comfortable is the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

The Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow is a delight for both sleeping and lounging on, thanks to its mouldable filling and adjustable firmness. The filling comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS) microbeads, and they’re so tiny that they give the pillow a lot of give – think sand rather than traditional beanbag.

The real boon is how customisable it is. Create a firmer pillow by re-tying the 2 ends closer together, or make a looser one by tying them nearer to the ends. I’m generally a fan of a firmer pillow, but I found I went for a softer, looser tie, as the whole thing plumped up once my arms, legs and bump were pressed into it.

I should note that the pillow isn’t a magic fix for aches. My upper arms suffer the most from side-sleeping and I’ve not yet found any pillow that can alleviate that pressure entirely.

How easy is it to use and adjust the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

The Cushy Puff immediately fits to your body, no matter your position. It doesn’t so much retain that shape, the way a memory foam mattress does, but instantly takes on the next shape as you move it about. In other words, if you’ve found a comfy position then get up to use the loo, it probably won’t be lying there with exactly the right impressions for you to take up the same position. It’ll simply mould to your new format.

I've used it successfully to sleep on either side, being supported along my front or my back. Hugging it with my knees keeps my hips aligned, and holding it in my arms like a giant teddy gives me extra space in my chest. It gathers easily and comfortably around my bump, particularly when tied loosely.

If you want a high level of support without so much need to manoeuvre the thing, you might prefer a U-shaped pregnancy pillow. However, the Cushy Puff style suits my needs very well, and I quite enjoy wrestling it this way and that as I change positions in bed.

How versatile is the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

While I get the most use out of it overnight, I find myself using the Cushy Puff pillow for all sorts while I’m lounging on the bed or sofa. Curving it over my lap creates a firm but pliable surface for my laptop, my book, a plate of snacks or for my cat to lie for a cuddle. Once the baby arrives, I plan to try it as a nursing pillow and to support propped-up tummy time.

What is the material quality like on the Cushy Puff?

The cover stays relatively cool throughout the night, and has that springy softness that comes from being 95% cotton with added spandex jersey fabric. It’s been comfortable during the warm spring nights, even with a duvet over the top, but time will tell whether it’s a match for hot summer nights. It doesn’t keep quite as cool as my favourite silk pillowcase, for example, but then again it’s comfier and cosier than silk.

It feels durable and the cover stays in place. I can throw it around and squish it this way and that without fears of damaging it.

How easy is it to clean the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

The cover is machine washable at 40 degrees and it can be ironed at the lowest heat setting. While I’m not one to bother with ironing pillowcases, it’s still handy for the more meticulous homeowner to know it can be ironed, as the place where you’ve knotted the 2 ends can look very crumpled. So far I’ve found the cover maintains its shape and softness after a wash in the machine.

The inner pillow can only be wiped with a cloth: not ideal if it falls victim to a major spillage, but then again, there aren’t many full-body pregnancy pillows that would be able to fit in your washing machine.

There’s a bit of a knack to getting the cover on. After a few practices, I average just under 3 minutes to pull it on, with lots of gathering, pulling through and then vigorous jiggling. You may get a slight sweat on...

It’s easy to tie a knot on either end in the stretchy fabric, and I appreciate the fact that extra accessories like ties or clips aren’t required for this part.

How big is the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

My previous pregnancy pillow was an enormous U-shaped thing, which my husband called ‘The Barge’. Unlike my old friend ‘The Barge’, the Cushy Puff takes up a small amount of room in bed, making my husband a lot happier. We have a standard double, so there’s not a lot of space to begin with, and the Cushy Puff fits well.

What’s in the box?

The inner pillow arrived folded into a rectangular fabric bag with handles, which will be useful for travel, or for storage if I decide to pack it all away. The outer cover came folded into a small zip lock bag.

Is the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow worth the money?

At £145, this pillow exceeds the amount I’d usually spend by a fair wad, although it's similarly priced to the popular BBHUGME pregnancy pillow, £159. That said, it’s an item with longevity: I’ll be keeping it around long after pregnancy and breastfeeding as it’s a lovely household accessory. I went for the pink and red-striped ‘Raspberry Ripple’ edition, an in-vogue colour combination I’m currently seeing on everything from pyjamas to ceramic planters.

It's a shame I can’t buy some extra covers in different colours without having to buy a whole new pillow. Not only would it be handy to have a spare while one’s being washed, but there are some other pretty designs I’d like to mix and match with my sheets. It’s a small complaint, though.

Aside from its winsome aesthetic, the Cushy Puff’s mouldability puts it above the more bog-standard pregnancy pillow I’ve tried previously.

Is the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow made using sustainable materials?

EPS microbeads, with which the Cushy Puff is filled, are a type of plastic. While they are technically recyclable, you’re unlikely to be able to do so through your local council. Spandex and nylon, the materials the inner pillow is made from, aren’t generally recyclable. The pillow cover is a blend of cotton and elastane, which makes it trickier to recycle than pure cotton.

Where can I buy the Cushy Puff pregnancy pillow?

It's available at Cushy Puff.

MadeForMums verdict

If you’re willing to stretch your budget and think you might use it beyond the pregnancy and breastfeeding phases, the Cushy Puff is a worthy investment. It’s an adaptable, comfy, snuggly pillow that you can be proud to show off in your home. Just keep in mind that the cover requires some effort to wrestle on, you’re unable to buy spare covers, and the materials aren’t easily recyclable. While it may not completely banish your third-trimester aches (I’m not sure there’s a pillow out there that could achieve that feat), it’ll certainly make your bedtimes and lounge-abouts more comfortable.