Green’s Dictionary of Slang

to make things (unfairly) easy for a friend, relation or confederate; thus feather-bedder n., one who makes things (unfairly) easy.

1902		Bulletin (Sydney) 18 Oct. 10/2: This pampering is repugnant to people with any manliness or decency in their composition. But I am satisfied that the Australians are feather-bedders, growlers, grumblers, curled darlings, and no-account men. They were cracked up – by themselves – during the campaign, and now they want to travel first-class, and be feasted on chicken and champagne for evermore. Great Scot!
1998		I. Welsh Filth 220: Carry on feather-bedding vegetables [i.e. mental defectives], it’s only a murder we’re trying to solve here.
1999		Guardian Weekend 25 Sept. 39: Kitaj has always been so feather-bedded by everybody.