The Best Nursing Pillows

Buying Guide

If you’re planning on breastfeeding your baby, getting an adjustable nursing pillow is a good idea. This is a kind of pillow that is designed to provide support to the mother while holding and nursing the baby. Often, nursing can put a strain on the mother’s back, neck, arms and hands, so having something to help hold up the baby can relieve pain and make the breastfeeding experience more comfortable.

During the early days of nursing, many mothers find themselves in pain because of an improper posture or an improper latch from the baby. Moms can place the adjustable nursing pillow on their laps and put the baby on top of the pillow. This raises the baby up closer to the mother’s breast so that she doesn’t have to bend down to reach the baby. As a result, the baby can latch on to the breast much easier, and this also helps the mother sit in a more comfortable position while nursing.

In addition to using an adjustable nursing pillow while breastfeeding, many parents use it while bottle feeding as well. The pillow can be used in a similar way on your lap with the baby on top, to bring them closer to you without having to carry them.

If you’ve had a c-section, your scar may be sensitive for several weeks before it fully heals. Holding a squirming, kicking baby can be uncomfortable, especially if they touch your scar directly. Using a nursing pillow can protect your c-section scar so you don’t get any wild kicks from your baby while feeding.

The beauty of an adjustable nursing pillow is that you can change the size according to the size of your baby and your feeding position. This helps moms feel more comfortable, especially during the first few weeks when both mother and baby are learning to nurse.

• Adjustable nursing pillows come in two main shapes. A C-shaped pillow is designed so that it fits around your waist. The pillow goes in the front and the sides of your body. There is typically a strap on the ends of the C, which you can adjust to fit your size. This helps keep the pillow in place while you feed the baby. The other shape looks like a figure 8 and typically has several layers on top of one another, kind of like the pages in a book. Moms can flip the pages to one side or the other depending on what position they want their baby in. This pillow sits on the mother’s lap, either in the center or to the side, while she feeds. Consider what pillow may be most comfortable for you and your baby.
• The type of support you need depends on the age of your baby and your preferred feeding position. Newborns typically require a firm and flat surface. This helps them stay in place. Older babies often prefer a softer surface. Some pillows, typically the C-shaped ones, come with a double-sided surface, where one side is soft and the other firm. This provides moms with a lot of flexibility.
• Babies can be particularly messy when they’re feeding. They often spit up mid-feed without warning, which can result in a lot of spilled milk. Be sure to look for an adjustable nursing pillow that has a washable cover. This helps you keep it looking clean and fresh. Some pillows themselves can actually be washed as well, so you don’t have to worry about putting on the cover.