Some mothers only breastfeed for 3 or 4 months. In this case, you may not need to worry about the length and size of the pillow. A baby in that age range should fit on most breastfeeding pillows without much trouble. Some women choose to breastfeed longer. If you intend to breastfeed your child for a couple of years rather than a couple of months, go with a larger-sized pillow that can support a bigger child. However, as a baby gets older he’ll be able to hold his head up and control motor functions more easily. [1] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source A pillow might not be necessary for support as you get past a year old.
Many breastfeeding pillows are designed to strap around your torso so the pillow can support the baby’s head and neck when you breastfeed. [2] X Research source Try to select a pillow that will fit your midsection shortly after birth. It’s helpful to imagine yourself 5 to 6 months pregnant, as this is a good gauge of the size you’ll need. Breastfeeding pillows come in different shapes: “c” shape, “o” shape, and the crescent shape. The “c” shape tends to be the most universal shape and generally fits the most body types while providing adequate arm support. O-shaped pillows wrap around the entire body, which can be good if your need extra support after pregnancy due to complications or a c-section. Crescent shapes are designed to wrap around the side of your body. They might not work as well for smaller women as the sides might fall on the back of the chair, sofa, or wherever you’re sitting. Some crescent-shaped pillows, however, are adjustable and can be maneuvered to fit multiple sizes.
The main pro of fastening straps is that they keep the pillow more secure. This makes breastfeeding less disruptive. You can also use the straps to pull the baby closer to your body. The biggest drawback of fastening straps is the difficulty of getting them on and off. Breastfeeding is unpredictable. Your baby could have issues, such as spitting up. Other children or pets could need attention, resulting in you needing to walk away from breastfeeding for a moment. The presence of straps could delay your response time to any issues that occur.
The easiest breastfeeding pillows to clean have covers that can be removed and then machine washed and dried. Some breastfeeding pillows come with foam inserts that can be hand washed and then laid out to dry. Materials used also play a factor in the ease of cleaning your pillow. Sometimes, organic materials can be harder to clean. However, if you feel more comfortable with pesticide-free padding and fabrics know you might have to take time to hand wash your pillow.
Some women choose to breastfeed while lying back, or on their side, which is a popular position for breastfeeding. You can cuddle the baby by laying him across your chest or stomach to feed him, or have him lay right next to you on a bed or sofa. A breastfeeding pillow might not be necessary if you use one of these positions. If you breastfeed while sitting on a chair or sofa, with the baby lying across your lap, the breastfeeding pillow is particularly useful. It can support the baby’s head and neck while you breastfeed. Many women tuck the baby under their underarm for support and breastfeed from the side. Some kind of pillow is usually necessary in such cases. A breastfeeding pillow, especially a crescent-shaped pillow, can help with such feedings.
Place the breastfeeding pillow along the arm, lap, or side of your body where the baby will be seated during feeding. Gently, take your baby and place his feet under your arm, facing your back. Position him so his tummy is facing your body. Ease your baby down onto the breastfeeding pillow. The pillow will do some work for you in regards to supporting your baby. Make sure your baby is positioned on his side with his tummy facing you. Improper positioning could lead to gastric reflux or difficulty swallowing.
Find a comfortable place to sit and position the pillow on your lap or side. Lie with whichever arm you’re using to support the baby’s head on the pillow. When bottle feeding, your baby should be lying on a slight incline. His head should be tilted upward slightly. While you’ll need to use your arm to keep the baby from wriggling too much, the pillow will still provide some support and take some of your baby’s weight off of you.
Tucking the breastfeeding pillow between bent knees during sleep offers lower back support. You can also tuck the pillow behind your back to help you stay on your side while sleeping. If you have pregnancy related heartburn, you can use an extra pillow to raise your head while sleeping.
Most baby’s sleep on their backs, in accordance to standards laid out by the American Academy of Pediatricians in 1992. This is to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. [7] X Research source As babies spend so much time on their backs rather than their stomachs, tummy time can be stressful. [8] X Research source Babies might resist being forced on their stomach. A breastfeeding pillow can help ease your baby into tummy time. Propping a baby up on a pillow can give him a new perspective and allow him to see more of a room. This can distract him from the discomfort of being on his belly, and prevent crying and distress during tummy time. [9] X Research source Make sure you don’t prop your baby up using a breastfeeding pillow before 3 or 4 months, as his neck muscles might not be strong enough for this to be safe until then. [10] X Research source
Sometimes, a breastfeeding pillow can result in your baby having difficulty latching. Some babies do not take to breastfeeding and prefer to be held, resulting in them becoming fussy or difficult to nurse when using the pillow. Nursing pillows are bulky and can be difficult to take from place to place. Some others also report having to lean over the pillows and experiencing back aches because of this. Remember, a nursing pillow is designed to provide you added comfort. Some women find the pillow to be helpful to them and their babies, but if a breastfeeding pillow causes you discomfort it’s not a necessity. Old fashioned breastfeeding is fine if you don’t feel comfortable with a breastfeeding pillow.
