Updated at: 18-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Nursing pillows, also known as feeding pillows, are preferred by new mothers because they make breastfeeding more convenient and comfortable. U-shaped pillows are used by breastfeeding mothers as feeding cushions. These cushions help the mother’s back, spine, and neck when she breastfeeds. Using a feeding cushion when breastfeeding can have both positive and negative impacts. We’ll go over both in this piece.

Is A Feeding Pillow Necessary?

A nursing pillow is an option, not a necessity, for new mothers. It is possible to lay your arm on the cushion while simultaneously supporting the infant.

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As a feeding support, it’s useful to some women but not to others. In order to determine whether or not it is worth the investment, you might borrow a feeding pillow from a friend or family member.

How To Use A Feeding Pillow?

Comparing conventional pillows to commercial breastfeeding ones, you’ll see that they all have a unique U-shaped form to them. A basic breastfeeding cushion can be used in a variety of ways.

Before you lift the infant into your arms, wrap the nursing cushion around your waist.

Prepare to feed your baby in a posture that allows you to keep him/her close to your body.

It is possible to secure some adjustable breastfeeding pillows with straps that you can tie around yourself.

Adjust the pillow’s straps and the pillow’s height to suit your needs.

Make sure your baby’s head is on the pillow before you go to sleep. It will provide excellent support for the infant and aid in the development of a strong latch.

If you’re worried about spit-ups, consider a feeding pillow with removable covering. Most commercial nursing pillows can be washed in the washing machine.

Breastfeeding arm pillows are now available in addition to the standard ones. With these cushions, the baby’s head is supported while being nursed without being wrapped around the mother’s waist.

Uses Of A Feeding Pillow

These advantages aren’t exclusive to times while you’re breastfeeding. The following are some of the ways a feeding pillow can benefit you and your baby.

Even before you start breastfeeding, it can be used as a good back support cushion during pregnancy.

There are several uses for the pillow prior to breastfeeding, including as a helpful back support during pregnancy.

After a C-section, the surgical incision site needs to recover for a few weeks. It is possible to avoid putting pressure on the stitches by using a feeding pillow. Feeding pillows should be used to protect the stitches from being irritated by the nursing cloth.

A nursing pillow may make it easier to feed twins. Use a feeding pillow that is large enough to accommodate both babies at the same time.

After a meal, some babies get acid reflux. Spit-ups could be avoided if they’re placed against the feeding pillow. Burping pillows can also be made from the pillows. Observe the infant when he or she is lying down on the pillow.

The angle feeding position, where the infant sleeps on his/her back and you bend over the baby for feeding, might be used if your milk ducts are obstructed by an infection. A dangling breast allows gravity to assist clear the blocked ducts. To help with dangling feedings, a baby pillow can help by allowing the child to rest their head on it.

Tummy time is vital for infants, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, since it strengthens the muscles of the neck and back (1). The feeding pillow can be used as a tummy time support for the infant. Placing the baby’s tummy on the cushion is a great way to keep him warm. Monitor the infant at all times to ensure that the baby does not put his or her face on the pillow during a session.

To help your baby learn to sit, you can also utilize the feeding pillow. To prevent the infant from hurting their head if they fall, wrap it around their legs.

Side Effects Of Nursing Pillows

A breastfeeding pillow has numerous advantages, but it also has a few drawbacks (2).

There are no distinct sizes of nursing pillows. A one-size-fits-all approach may not work for everyone. Incorrectly sized nursing pillows may create additional stress.

Breastfeeding mothers may suffer from back pain and strained arm muscles if they use nursing pillows that don’t fit properly.

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While laying on a breastfeeding pillow instead of mom’s arm, some newborns may find it difficult to breastfeed. Inexperienced breastfeeders may find it difficult to latch onto the baby’s breasts because of the pillow. If you’re using a cushion, it’s best to let the baby rest on your arm and use a pillow to prop up your arm.

If you are used to using a nursing pillow to feed your baby, you may find it difficult to do so when you are traveling without the pillow.

Using a feeding pillow or a nursing pillow can make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable for both you and your baby. There is an arm rest for mothers to use while they are holding their infant. In addition, they can be purchased in twin-feeding sizes. It’s possible to use these pillows for tummy time or to prop up the infant when sitting. You need to pick the one that’s right for you, because one size doesn’t fit all. When utilizing a feeding cushion, it’s a good idea to talk to your lactation consultant to be sure you’re doing things correctly.

Preparing to Breastfeed

It’s critical that you understand how to utilize your breastfeeding pillow after you’ve chosen one. The first step is to find a peaceful and comfortable place to breastfeed your baby. It will be easier for both of you if you do this, since your baby will be less likely to get distracted when you’re nursing.

Make sure the breastfeeding cushion is snugly against your body once you are seated and ready to nurse. While nursing, it must be able to hold your arms in place and keep your baby in place without moving or shifting. Breastfeeding pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some of which may be wrapped around your entire body or fastened with straps. You want your pillow to be as near to your body as possible, no matter what kind you have.

During Nursing

Afterwards, think about how you’ll hold your child. Finding the optimum breastfeeding position for your baby’s deep latch is essential. Using a breastfeeding cushion in conjunction with the football hold, cross-cradle hold, cradle hold, or koala hold is a highly recommended nursing position.

With a nursing cushion to support your elbows and raise your baby to breast height, you can encourage a deeper breastfeeding latch with a football hold, cradle hold, or cross-cradle hold. Your nursing cushion can be used to raise your baby even higher if you choose to breastfeed utilizing the koala grip or upright feeding.

Cleaning Up

It is crucial to clean your breastfeeding pillow frequently because newborns spit up, unlatch, and spill milk during feeding periods. It’s possible to remove the covers from certain breastfeeding pillows, while others have foam inserts that need to be cleaned separately. Others, on the other hand, can be washed and dried right away! To avoid unpleasant odors and stains caused by dried milk, follow the care instructions that came with your specific nursing pillow.

Nursing Pillows Aren’t Just For Nursing

Even after you’ve stopped breastfeeding, nursing pillows can be a beneficial addition to your bedside table or bedside table set up. First-time mothers can save them for future pregnancies, but children can use them as they grow and develop.

When used as a tummy time aid, nursing pillows teach newborns how to support themselves using their arms and elbows. In the process of learning to sit up alone, breastfeeding pillows can provide a soft, cushioned support. Pregnant women can use nursing pillows as maternity support pillows, too. Even toddlers enjoy the comfort of nursing pillows for longer cuddling moments.

A Unique Nursing Pillow Moms Love

Using a breastfeeding cushion can aid in a mother’s ability to nurse successfully, according to us. As a result, our Infantino Elevate Adjustable Nursing PillowTM was created by nursing parents, for breastfeeding women! Three distinct elevation levels make it easy to elevate newborns to breast height with the unique layered pillow.

In addition, the nursing pillow’s height may be readily adjusted to grow with your child. With the cradle and cross-cradle grips and the adjustable design, you may breastfeed or bottle feed your child while holding them at your side or across your lap (football hold).

Women recovering from C-sections can use this hold to keep pressure off the incision site while they’re healing. As a bonus, the Infantino Elevate Adjustable Nursing PillowTM can be machine-washed and tumble-dried, and it folds into a small package when not in use.

We think you’ll enjoy this pillow as much as thousands of other moms have, and we know you will!

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It’s A Wrap!

One of the best inventions I’ve ever seen is the breastfeeding cushion. It’s good for all of us, but it’s especially helpful for the millions of nursing mothers out there.

Using a breastfeeding pillow is now a piece of cake. I wish you well with breast-feeding your child in the future.

These goods help alleviate some of the stress that comes with being a mother, which is a blessing and a challenge at the same time.

Remember that you deserve to take care of yourself, too!