ABCs of Safe Sleep
The AAP guideline: baby sleeps Alone (no blankets, bumpers, or pillows), on their Back, in a Crib or bassinet.
Aromatherapy Diffuser
An ultrasonic device that disperses essential oils into the air. Only pregnancy-safe oils (e.g., lavender, chamomile in small amounts) should be used, and only after first trimester.
Bassinet
A small sleep space for newborns placed next to the parents' bed. Most babies move to a crib by 4–6 months.
Belly Band / Maternity Support Belt
A stretchy wrap that lifts the belly to reduce strain on the lower back and pelvis. Worn during the day (not for sleep).
Boppy-Style Nursing Pillow
A crescent-shaped pillow that wraps around the waist to support the baby at breast height during feeding. Named after the original Boppy brand.
C-Section Recovery Pillow
A soft pillow pressed against the incision to brace for coughs, laughs, and sneezes during healing.
C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
A curved, single-sided body pillow shaped like a "C" that cradles your head, belly, and knees. Smaller footprint than a U-shape; easier for bed-sharing couples.
CertiPUR-US Certified
A voluntary U.S. certification confirming that the polyurethane foam in a mattress or pillow is made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, PBDE flame retardants, and meets low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.
Cooling Sheets
Sheets woven from materials (bamboo, eucalyptus, long-staple cotton, Tencel) that wick moisture and feel cooler than standard cotton — valuable in the third trimester and postpartum night sweats.
Crib Mattress Firmness
Firm is safest for infants — a finger should not indent more than a quarter inch. Softer mattresses increase suffocation risk.
Dohm / Fan-Based Sound Machine
A sound machine using an actual fan rather than a loop, producing natural non-repeating noise.
Donut Cushion
A ring-shaped cushion with a hole in the middle that relieves pressure on the tailbone or perineal area after vaginal birth, hemorrhoids, or C-section.
Edge Support
How well a mattress's perimeter holds weight without collapsing. Strong edge support makes it easier to get in and out of bed — important in late pregnancy.
Fill Material
What's inside a pillow. Common options: shredded memory foam (moldable), polyester fiberfill (budget), buckwheat hulls (firm), microbead (cooling).
GERD / Acid Reflux
Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, common in the third trimester. Elevating the head of the bed (wedge pillow or adjustable base) reduces symptoms.
GREENGUARD Gold
A certification indicating the product meets strict chemical-emission standards for use in schools, healthcare settings, and homes. Common on crib and baby mattresses.
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Memory foam blended with cooling gel beads or swirls to reduce heat retention.
Hybrid Mattress
A mattress combining an innerspring coil base with foam comfort layers. Offers firmer edge support and better airflow than all-foam mattresses.
Latex Foam
A naturally bouncy, breathable foam derived from rubber-tree sap (natural) or synthetic chemistry. More responsive than memory foam and cooler-sleeping.
Left-Side Sleeping
The position most often recommended in the second and third trimester; improves blood flow to the baby and reduces pressure on major blood vessels.
Loft / Pillow Loft
The height of a pillow when you lie on it. Side sleepers need higher loft (5–7 inches) to align the spine.
Mattress Protector
A waterproof barrier between your sheet and mattress. Important for postpartum recovery and newborn phase when leaks happen.
Medium-Firm Mattress
Typically a 6–7 on a 1–10 firmness scale. Recommended for most pregnancies because it supports the spine without excessive sinkage.
Memory Foam
A dense, heat-reactive polyurethane foam that contours to your body. Provides good pressure relief but can sleep warm without cooling additives.
My Brest Friend
A firm, flat-top nursing pillow that straps around the torso with a belt buckle, preventing it from sliding during feedings.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
A certification that textile fibers have been tested for harmful substances. Common on pregnancy pillow covers and bedding.
Pack 'n Play / Travel Crib
A portable, folding crib commonly used for travel or as a secondary sleep space.
Peri Bottle
A squeeze bottle used during postpartum bathroom visits to rinse the perineal area. Often included in postpartum care kits.
Postpartum
The period after birth. The "fourth trimester" refers specifically to the first 12 weeks.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
An urge to move the legs at night, often worse during pregnancy. Typically not product-solved but gentle stretching and iron-level checks with your OB-GYN can help.
Round Ligament Pain
Sharp or dull groin/hip pain in the second trimester as the ligaments holding the uterus stretch. Often relieved by a wedge or knee pillow.
SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)
Pelvic-girdle pain from loosening of the pubic joint during pregnancy. A firm mattress, pregnancy pillow between knees, and careful movement reduce flare-ups.
Sciatica
Pain radiating down the leg caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. Common in late pregnancy as the uterus presses on the nerve; a body pillow between the knees helps.
Sleep Sack
A wearable blanket that keeps baby warm without loose bedding in the crib. Safer than blankets for infants.
Sleep Trial
A risk-free in-home testing period offered by direct-to-consumer mattress brands (typically 100–365 nights). If you don't like it, they refund and arrange pickup.
Supine Hypotensive Syndrome
Drop in blood pressure when lying flat on your back in later pregnancy, caused by the uterus compressing the inferior vena cava. Side-sleeping (especially left side) prevents this.
Swaddle
A blanket or sleep sack that snugly wraps a newborn to mimic the womb. Transitioned out of around 2–4 months once the rollover milestone approaches.
TOG Rating
A measure of a sleep sack's warmth. Higher TOG = warmer. 0.5 TOG for summer, 2.5 TOG for cold rooms.
U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
A full-body pillow curved into a "U" so both sides of your body are supported simultaneously. Best for back-and-belly support, side-sleeping, and moms who shift positions. Typically 55–60 inches long.
Wedge Pillow
A small triangular pillow placed under the belly, back, or between the knees for targeted support. Useful in early pregnancy or for acid reflux (head elevation).
Weighted Blanket (Pregnancy)
Blankets weighted to 7–12% of body weight can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. In pregnancy, use lighter weight (or avoid over the belly) and consult your OB-GYN.
White Noise Machine
A device producing steady broadband sound (white, pink, or brown noise) to mask disruptions. Placed at least 7 feet from baby and kept under 50 dB.
Zipper Cover
A removable, machine-washable outer case on a pillow or mattress. Essential for hygiene during pregnancy and postpartum.
Zoned Support
A mattress or topper with firmer foam or coils under the hips/lumbar and softer foam under shoulders. Helps side sleepers maintain spinal alignment.