Nursing pillow: why buy it and how to choose it

Why use a nursing pillow?

More comfort for mother and child

Holding the baby in your arms for several hours a day (during feedings and not) can be tiring, especially for the muscles of the back, shoulders and arms. A good nursing pillow, if used correctly, allows the mother to assume a correct posture for breastfeeding, keeping the muscles completely relaxed and thus avoiding problems such as neck or lumbar pain.

In this way, especially at the beginning, the mother will be able to concentrate on a correct attachment of the newborn , which as we know represents a fundamental point for a good start of breastfeeding.

For mothers of twins , there are also special breastfeeding pillows , which allow you to hold two children at the same time without effort.

Also useful in pregnancy

Some nursing pillows are designed to be used even before the baby is born (and for this reason they are called pregnancy and nursing pillows ). In fact, as the weeks progress, it is quite common to start suffering from back pain and it is increasingly difficult to find a comfortable position to fall asleep due to the size of the belly.

The use of these pillows relieves pain and supports the weight of the abdomen (see paragraph: “How to use the nursing pillow to sleep” ).

Other uses

The nursing pillow can also have secondary uses. For example, if the baby falls asleep during a feed and the mother cannot or does not want to move him to the crib, she allows him to continue to hold him effortlessly. Let’s think, for example, of a journey of a few hours by train or plane , or in situations where there is a fear of waking the newborn by changing its position.

In this regard, travel breastfeeding pillows are also available today , which being more compact can be transported more easily, and even inflatable models .

Furthermore, the nursing pillow can also be used to lay the baby on his back or tummy during playtime ( the so-called “tummy time”), or to protect him from falling backwards when he starts sitting up .

Finally, the nursing pillow can be useful for helping little brothers and sisters to hold the new born in their arms , naturally always under the careful supervision of the parents.

How to use the nursing pillow?

Nursing pillows are designed for the classic “cradle” position , but there are many different positions that you can try.

The position of the mother

To begin, the pillow should be placed across your legs and fitted around your waist, as close to your body as possible. During feeding, the elbows must rest on the nursing pillow and the back must be kept straight against the backrest, possibly supported by a pillow or cushion (in some models, this second support is included or incorporated in the nursing pillow itself).

The position of the child

For breastfeeding , the newborn should be lying on its side on top of the pillow, with its belly against the mother’s abdomen and its nose at the level of the nipple . This will cause the baby to tilt his head back slightly and open his mouth wide, essential requirements for a correct attachment.

Breastfeeding positions with pillow

As we have already anticipated, the nursing pillow can be used in many positions. The advice is to experiment, to find out which are the most comfortable for yourself and the baby, possibly alternating them to stimulate different areas of the breast .

Among the most used we find:

• the “cradle” position, which we have already described above;
• the “rugby ball” position , a variant of the cradle position in which the child is on the side of the mother and not in front, with the feet facing the backrest;
• the side-by-side position , where mom lies on her side with the pillow under her head;
• the semi-sitting position , in which the mother is on her back and the pillow lifts her back and head.

How to use the nursing pillow to sleep?

The recommended position for sleeping with the nursing pillow is on your side , holding the pillow between your bent knees and under your belly . This solution allows for better alignment of the spine and offers support for the weight of the growing abdomen. For this reason, it is particularly recommended for preventing or relieving back pain during pregnancy .

Nursing pillow for twins

Breastfeeding twins can be very tiring, but it’s not impossible! In any case, whatever your choice, the nursing pillow can prove to be a valid support.

Twins can be nursed singly or in tandem . The first solution is recommended to familiarize yourself with a good attachment and start breastfeeding, after which it is usually recommended to breastfeed both babies at the same time.

In both cases, the use of a twin nursing pillow allows you to hold both babies in your arms during feedings, ensuring maximum comfort for mother and baby.

How to choose the nursing pillow?

To choose the right nursing pillow it is important to evaluate the following characteristics.

1. Suitable size and texture

The right pillow is the one that allows the mother to comfortably hold the baby at breast level, without bending or straining the back . Furthermore, she must ensure adequate support, preventing the baby from sinking into the padding.

Some women prefer to choose nursing pillows that adapt to their body shape. These models generally have an elongated shape, called a “snake” , and are also designed to be used during pregnancy . On the other hand, being larger, they are not suitable for those with space problems at home or for travelling.

Other moms prefer more compact models . These pillows usually have a U shape (also called a C or donut shape ) and are also available in a travel version. Unlike the former, they are not designed to be used during pregnancy.

2. Hypoallergenic and breathable material

Both the padding and the cover of the nursing pillow must be made of hypoallergenic material, which can prevent excessive sweating . The ideal is a covering in natural material, such as cotton or bamboo , while as regards the padding, the choice is much wider.

Synthetic materials – These are usually polystyrene fibers or microgranules . Both are breathable, hypoallergenic and anti-mite materials. The fiber filling makes the cushion more compact and resistant to deformation, even after several washes. The granules, on the other hand, create a less rigid padding, which allows for more versatility and a better fit, but tends to lose consistency over time.

Natural materials – The most common are spelled or millet husks and bamboo fiber . These are very breathable and totally hypoallergenic and anti-mite materials, but more expensive than synthetic materials.

3. Removable is better

Washability represents another important feature, bearing in mind that it is an accessory that tends to get dirty easily (for example in case of regurgitation) .

The optimal solution is represented by a nursing pillow with a removable cover , which allows the cover to be washed as needed. A further advantage is that of being able to purchase spare covers (choosing from different colors and patterns), which can eventually also be used to renew the look of this accessory, in the event of subsequent pregnancies or second-hand products.

Alternatively, there are cushions with non-removable covers that can be washed without losing their shape and texture characteristics.

4. Good value for money

Being accessories for children, nursing pillows are generally of excellent quality . The advice, however, is to always read the characteristics of the product carefully before buying them, to verify that the item complies with the safety standards.

Naturally, the price will vary depending on the size, material and other qualities of the model, such as removable covers, portability and versatility.

Nursing pillow: is it dangerous?

Nursing pillows are safe products when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions . This means that:

• the pillow must never be placed on elevated surfaces , from which the newborn could fall;
• when using the nursing pillow, the child must never be left unattended .