Nursing Pillow: Choosing the Right One for Maximum Comfort

A nursing pillow is a cleverly designed feeding accessory that can be used to support your body when you are nursing or feeding your baby. It’s all too easy to end up slouching or compromise our comfort for the baby’s comfort during a feed. An infant feeding pillow can eliminate this extra pressure on your body by supporting under your arms and keeping your baby in the best position to feed comfortably.

What Is a Nursing Pillow?

A breastfeeding pillow is a cushioned support that is shaped to support your body as you feed.

It can be used as a cushion in various breastfeeding positions to help you hold your baby and bring it to the breast, so you’re not slouching or getting tired and achy arms! They can also be used for carers who bottle feed their baby and can be useful aids if you do not have the strength or stamina to hold your baby for long periods.

You might be thinking, why not use a regular pillow? However an infant feeding pillow is more innovative because they are shaped to you, is made with a denser foam that will hold its shape, and can include added features like a belt buckle to tie around your waist or pockets for breastfeeding essentials. 

Why Do I Need a Nursing Pillow for Breastfeeding

Have you ever noticed after a feed that your back is aching, your neck feels sore from looking down most of the time, and your posture is poor? Without realizing it, you can easily slip into bad postures when breastfeeding to keep your baby supported, but your body sometimes needs a little helping hand to stay supported too! 

Here are some of the benefits that parents noted when using a nursing pillow:

• Improved support for back, neck, and shoulders during feeds.
• Supports under the arms which is a help when their heads get heavy!
• Easier to feed multiple babies with a nursing pillow because they are held and supported with a cushioned pillow.
• Improved baby’s latch because they are better supported and closer to the breast.
• Can be used as a support post-surgery or if you are unable to fully hold your baby.

“The nursing pillow has been a lifesaver! I have 6-week-old twins and have had to start feeding them together by myself. This pillow is ace! Lots of cushioning and I can see them using it for a long time yet.” (Rachel, Mum of 2)

We’ve already talked about how an infant feeding pillow can be important for parents and the baby to be comfortable and feed with improved posture to lessen the strain on our bodies. Another great benefit to using a nursing pillow is how it can promote a good latch and help you explore different feeding positions to achieve this.

Your baby will need to be close to you, their head should be able to move freely should they need to re-position or pull back, and you are guiding them using the “nose to nipple” technique. Supporting their head on the pillow, with them sitting or lying against you, will encourage them to latch correctly and feed efficiently. 

Different types of Nursing Pillows

With many different designs and good nursing pillows on the market, how do you know which is the best nursing pillow for you? Think of your main aim, for example, you want to pump and breastfeed or you have multiple babies to hold, and search for an infant feeding pillow that ticks all of those boxes. 

• Wrap-around nursing pillow
• U-shaped nursing pillow
• Arm nursing pillow
• 2-in-1 pregnancy and nursing pillow
• Twin breastfeeding pillow
• Inflatable nursing pillow

Whilst there are pros and cons to any product, choosing a good nursing pillow means picking features that are important to you that will help you to feed your baby. Need a larger surface area? Pick a wrap-around nursing pillow or a twin breastfeeding pillow. Want to get your money’s worth? Pick a pregnancy pillow that turns into a nursing pillow.

How to Use a Breastfeeding Pillow Correctly

Depending on the shape and design of your nursing pillow will depend on how you position it for a feed. The best nursing pillows will be adjustable and flexible with how they can be used for multiple feeding positions, and they will fit securely to you so it doesn’t come away from your body making you stretch over. 

Steps for how to use a breastfeeding pillow:

1. Choose a feeding position that is comfortable and sustainable for you and your baby.

2. Adjust the nursing pillow around your waist - this can be in front of you or on the side

3. Position your baby so their whole body is supported.

Experiment with different feeding positions such as cradle hold, football hold, or laying on your side.  You will find a feeding position that works for you and this may change over time as your baby grows. A good nursing bra will be another useful breastfeeding essential to accompany your nursing pillow!

Best Nursing Pillow Positions and Mistakes to Avoid

We asked parents and maternal healthcare experts to share their tips on how to use a breastfeeding pillow for different feeding positions, and common mistakes to avoid:

1. Babies should never be left to sleep on a nursing pillow, this goes against safe sleeping guidance.

2. A soft nursing pillow is versatile and can be used for many feeding positions, including lying down. Whereas a firmer nursing pillow can be a better support for upright feeding positions.

3. If you are recovering from a c-section, choosing a smaller, firmer nursing pillow will protect your scarring from your baby’s kicks and be easier to hold.

4. If you use your nursing pillow for tummy time as well, make sure that your baby’s body is still in contact with the floor and their arms are tucked under their shoulders. This helps them to build strength in their necks rather than resting their tummy on the pillow.

Best Nursing Pillows: Top Recommendations

What makes a good nursing pillow? We’ve picked out a few of the best nursing pillows on the market, taking time to consider their overall features, durability, materials, adjustability, ease of cleaning, and level of comfort and support. 

1. My Brest Friend Twin Breastfeeding Pillow

Favored by many parents with twins, this twin breastfeeding pillow has back support, extendable belt fastenings, and a great surface area to safely hold both babies. 

2.  Boppy Nursing Pillow

A stylish nursing pillow with an easy-to-clean, removable cover that supports your whole body and your baby’s for every feed. Its versatile design means you can use this nursing pillow for lots of feeding positions, bottle feeding, and bonding.

3. Kidoola Pregnancy and Nursing Pillow

A full-body pillow with multiple uses, such as back and hip support during pregnancy, a nursing pillow for breastfeeding, and a baby support pillow for when they are learning to sit up.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Pillows

At what age can you start using a nursing pillow?

A nursing pillow can be used from the day your baby is born to support breastfeeding and bottle-feeding sessions. Some mums also use their pregnancy support pillows to double up on their features, to get longevity from their purchase, and to support them in the early days of breastfeeding.

Can a nursing pillow help with reflux?

Yes. Some nursing pillows are designed with a raised, angled cushion that lifts the baby’s head and upper body which can help to ease symptoms of reflux. Bear in mind if you are opting to use a nursing pillow for this reason, that the material is easy to clean!

Do you need a nursing pillow for breastfeeding?

You can successfully feed your baby without a nursing pillow, but many parents choose to use one because it offers them better support for their posture and keeps their baby secure when switching feeding positions.