A nursing pillow can make things much easier during the first few weeks of a breastfeeding relationship. It can help a mother position and latch her baby comfortably. It will also prevent her back and arms from getting tired and sore. These versatile cushions are also sometimes used to help a baby sit upright, play, or relax.
When you use a nursing pillow, a baby is at an incline, which helps for a better latch and keeps the baby from moving.
Some breastfeeding cushions wrap snugly around the waist.
Most are small (portable) and will not draw much attention when nursing in public.
For those parents who are bottle feeding, a pillow is an excellent tool for comfort and bonding.
A breastfeeding pillow is made so that a mother is comfortable while nursing. It helps relieve stress on the back, neck, and shoulders.
Some cushions allow for relaxing and lounging: The baby has a comfortable place to sit and does not need the mother to hold them constantly. Mom has her hands free to do other things while her little one watches her.
Playtime: A boppy pillow is an excellent pillow for tummy time. Tummy time is recommended for at least 30 minutes every day; this helps a baby build upper body strength.
Some pillows can help babies develop the muscles that get them sitting up straight in no time.
Use a pillowcase that is easy to clean, or get yourself a waterproof pillowcase cover so that you can wash it.
If you think your waist will be too large for the pillow, you can usually find larger sizes online.
If you are tall or high-breasted (small breasts), use one of the other nursing supports because the boppy nursing pillow might be too low for you; otherwise, you could put two of these cushions on top of each other while nursing for extra height. Balancing the cushion against the two arms of a chair can also work well.
Safety
Never allow your baby to lie face-down on the pillow.
I’m Tracy Behr, a qualified wellness and nutrition coach, breastfeeding advocate, and homeschooling mom of two. For over sixteen years, I’ve been helping mothers navigate breastfeeding challenges through my website breastfeeding-problems.com I combine evidence-based knowledge with real-life experience to help parents feel more confident in their breastfeeding journey. I’ve experienced firsthand that breastfeeding isn’t always as easy as we expect. When I had my babies, I faced my own challenges and quickly saw just how much support and clear guidance moms truly need. That’s why I started this website—to share what I’ve learned, offer encouragement, and help other moms feel less alone on their breastfeeding journey.