Breastfeeding can be a rewarding experience. But while it’s billed as natural, it can feel like anything but at first – especially after birthing an entire human. Enter, a good nursing pillow.
“Nursing pillows can help provide support during breastfeeding,” says Erron Towns, MD, a pediatrician with Salisbury Pediatric Associates in Salisbury, NC. “This can help the mother avoid arm and torso fatigue while making it easier to achieve the proper positioning. This can alleviate some stress during what is generally a pretty stressful – but wonderful – time for a new mother.”
To be clear, a nursing pillow isn’t a must-have. Inherently, the only must-haves are a lactating parent and child, especially when in the trenches of clusterfeeding and trying to find the best breast pump.
“Many breastfeeding moms do so successfully without [a nursing pillow], but they are sure are nice to have,” says pediatrician, Kristen W. Cook, MD. “By the way, nursing pillow use does not need to be limited to moms who breastfeed. They can be helpful for parents who are bottle feeding their babies as well.”
Dr. Cook adds that a parent may also use them to help a baby build strength during tummy time, but she shares that following some safety guidance is essential.
“I advise the families in my medical practice to place their 3-to-4-month-old babies on a nursing pillow in a prone position with their arms underneath them for support,” Dr. Cook says. “I suggest they add developmentally appropriate toys, or even better, a mirror, in front of the pillow to encourage head lifting.”
Other safety considerations:
“I definitely recommend using a nursing pillow only as directed,” Dr. Towns says. “Also, a mother should not fall asleep while nursing in an upright position with or without a pillow.”
Nursing parents also had some advice on what to look for.
- Try more than one. Though you may pick one for a registry, one mother suggests choosing a few. “While one might work great for your best friend, your needs and your baby’s needs can be quite different,” says Siobhan Alvarez-Borland, a postpartum doula and lifestyle expert who nursed three children. “Some babies also need to be fed with different breastfeeding positions, and not all pillows will work.”
- Your body matters. It’s best to ensure a nursing pillow fits your body (like clothes). “A good nursing pillow should hug your waist with minimal movement while in use,” says Karissa Whitman, the founder of Mom After Baby, who nursed and pumped for two children.
- Consider thickness and shape. Thickness and shape are also items Whitman suggests evaluating. “Some nursing pillows offer a thick padding while others can go flat after a few uses, making it hard to position baby over time,” she says
To help parents decide, we asked parents and pediatricians for recommendations and assessed online reviews to figure out which nursing pillows are the best. Here are nine great nursing pillows.
