About
The cooing, the gurgling, the grunting - there are a lot of incredibly cute sounds of contentment to look forward to when you get your newborn feeding routine down pat. For some mamas, the nursing pillow is an essential part of that process.
Do you really need a nursing pillow?
If you're going to be breastfeeding, there's a long list of gear you'll likely want to invest in, from a good breast pump to a comfortable nursing bra to soothing nipple cream. And although it's not necessarily a must-have item, many breastfeeding moms also appreciate having a baby nursing pillow on hand for feedings.
Why? Figuring out a comfortable nursing position - for you and for baby - can be a challenge. A nursing pillow (also referred to as a breastfeeding pillow) can help make this easier. Not only can a nursing pillow ease the strain on your back, neck and arms during epic mealtimes (who knew he could get so hungry?), but it also makes baby super comfy, supporting him, snuggling him, securing him and giving him the extra lift he might need to latch on properly. While seated, prop the nursing pillow around your waist and lay baby across it for easier access to your breast.
How to choose the best nursing pillow for you
Nursing pillows can be found in many different shapes, styles and designs. So before you add one to your baby registry or order the first one you come across online, remember: they are not all created alike. The fit, shape, firmness, care instructions and extra bells and whistles can differ greatly from one brand to the other.
Here are a few features you might want to consider before buying a nursing pillow:
- Shape. This will probably come down to preference. Some nursing pillows are U- or C-shaped to snuggle against your stomach, while others wrap all the way around your waist. You might find certain styles to be more comfortable than others.
- Fit. Some nursing pillows have adjustable belts or straps to help you get a more customized, secure fit.
- Storage. Although it's not an essential feature, some moms appreciate nursing pillows that have a pocket where you can put a bottle, toy for baby or other small item you might need nearby during feedings.
- Material. Removable pillow covers that are machine-washable will make cleaning your nursing pillow much easier.
- Versatility. Some pillows can be used for so much more than nursing. Finding one that grows with your baby is definitely a plus.
Another 2019 What to Expect Award winner, there's a reason this nursing pillow is called My Brest Friend. With its wraparound design, adjustable strap and backrest, this nursing pillow was created to give new moms all the extra help they need. It even has a brilliant front pocket for stowing items you might want to have on hand during feeds, such as a bottle of water, snacks or your phone.
Although the flatter surface may not look very snuggly at first glance, the shape helps prevent infants from sliding into the space between the cushion and your chest, which can be uncomfortable for some little ones.
Pros:
- Wraparound design stays secure with an adjustable belt
- Backrest provides extra support for mom
- Pocket for easy small-space storage
- Flat surface to prevent baby from rolling toward chest
A 2019 What to Expect award winner, Boppy has been making nursing pillows for over 25 years. The reason parents continue to sing the brand's praises? The Boppy nursing pillow is incredibly versatile. The rounded U-shape works well for moms who are both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Moms love the way this breastfeeding pillow looks, too, thanks to the range of colorful (and washable!) covers you can buy to go with yours.
Pros:
- Can be used for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
- Can also be used for tummy-time, lounging-time and sitting-time when babies get older
- The U-shape makes it easy to grab and secure in a hurry
- The pillow and covers are machine-washable
The Blessed Nest pillow isn't the most wallet-friendly nursing pillow on this list. But it is eco-friendly. The cushion is packed with pesticide-free buckwheat hulls, which give it a sort of bean bag feel. The organic cotton slip cover is machine-washable, too.
Pros:
- American-made, organic and free of chemicals and pesticides
- Slip cover is machine-washable
Leachco makes one of our favorite pregnancy pillows, so it's no surprise that the brand's versatile, extra-thick nursing pillow is also a winner.
Like the Boppy, the Leachco Cuddle-U is U-shaped and can be used for nursing, tummy time and as a seat support. Moms of wiggly babies will appreciate the patented seat wrap that you slide baby into to help keep her in place while you're nursing.
Pros
- Can be used as a nursing pillow or as a seat when baby is older
With its unique boomerang shape, the nursing pillow from Luna Lullaby easily fits women of all sizes. It's also one of the plushest options out there, so it will hold its shape for years to come (a feature that can come in handy for growing families or future naptimes). And with a machine-washable pillow cover that comes on and off - without any scratchy zippers or Velcro - it will stay looking its best.
Pros:
- Boomerang shape fits women of all sizes
- Super plush to prop up baby and hold its shape for years to come
- Machine-washable cover is free of zippers and Velcro
Assembling a diaper bag is no joke in those early days when it seems like everything but the kitchen sink needs to be on the go with you and your baby. My Brest Friend's inflatable nursing pillow saves you from having to pack a cushion when you're traveling.
Without air, this nursing pillow is lightweight and a cinch to store. With air, it assumes the same wraparound shape of the original My Brest Friend - and includes the strap, soft cover and convenient pocket.
Pros:
- Deflates to be lightweight and easy to stow when on the go
- Inflates to the same shape as the original My Brest Friend nursing pillow
- Secure strap
- Soft, machine-washable cover
Feeding two babies at once poses its own unique set of needs. Thankfully, there's the Twin Z pillow for nursing moms of twins. The Twin Z forms a unique W-shape. The middle section flips up to become a comfy backrest, while the two sides (which can be buckled together) support two little ones, making tandem feeding much more manageable.
Pros:
- W-shape makes tandem feeding easier for moms of multiples
- Middle section flips up to offer back support
- Can also be used for baby lounging, and later for tummy-time and learning to sit up
- Machine-washable cover