Feeding Pillows
Which breastfeeding or chest feeding pillow is best? With so many brands available, how do you choose?
Feeding pillows range from $40-$75 USD and are almost always included in a baby registry. But are they necessary? Are they really all that helpful?
As a lactation consultant I see lots of feeding positions. Laid back, cross cradle, football, side lying, latching while walking…the list goes on.
Honestly, almost zero of them include a Boppy, My Brest Friend, or any other name-brand pillow. If a parent is using a special feeding pillow, there is almost always a gap between the baby’s head and the pillow. I find we often end up using regular pillows or a blanket/sweatshirt/onesie tucked into gaps...there are always gaps!
Any equipment you’re using should allow you and your baby to be relaxed while feeding. Keep your arms tucked around your baby for support but you don’t want to be straining yourself to hold their head or body.
So which Feeding pillow is the best?
The least expensive item to help physically support you when latching your baby: you. Your body is perfectly designed to stabilize your baby’s position and allow them to latch efficiently and comfortably. Seriously. All you need is you…and maybe someone (lactation professional or postpartum doula) to help you figure out how to make it work for your body and your baby in your home.
I highly recommend waiting until your baby is born to see what will work for you. Start with regular pillows (if you need any at all) and flannel/muslin baby blankets to fill the gaps. I like flannel/muslin blankets because they provide a bit more structure than the fluffy baby blankets.
If, after using what you already have, you find that you still really want a feeding specific pillow, here are a few questions to help you narrow down your search:
My favorite use for the Boppy
Where are you going to be sitting most of the time?
Lots of people have a special feeding area with water, snacks, and whatever supplies you need near by
Does this space accommodate a pillow?
A rocking chair/glider may be comfortable, but a feeding pillow may not fit between the arm rests
If you rest the pillow on top of the arm rests, does it raise the baby too high?
A couch would allow space for any width of pillow but will the pillow sink down on the sides when you put a baby on it, thus being too low to be of any help?
This is solved by putting a regular pillow under your feeding pillow….but here we are again with the regular pillows…
Do you have multiples?
Twin pillows are awesome for tandem feeding
Regular pillows can be used but once baby #1 is latched, you typically don’t want to move around too much to latch baby #2 so a feeding pillow specifically designed for twins is fantastic
What’s your body like?
Pillows fit people differently. Height and shape of people vary, as does how a pillow will hug a body
Your neighbor may rave about X pillow but if they’re built very differently from you, you may not experience the same overwhelming joy with X pillow.
Do you want/need something open or locked in the back?
Do you need a pillow that can adjust height or circumference?
Do you just need a tiny pillow because you prefer to sit with your legs crossed?
I actually like the Little Beam pillow (or their toddler pillow if you want even smaller) for this since it can be used later for other things
Do you need the sturdiest pillow you can find because of limited hand/arm mobility?
At what height do your nipples naturally rest?
The closer your nipples are to your lap, the less you may need a pillow (natural body support! yay!)
Raising your baby above where your nipples naturally land means you now need to raise your breast/chest as well. Double the work. Thumbs down.
Do you have a few extra pillows laying around?
Inexpensive option #2: use what you already have
I bet you have something that would work fantastically!
To summarize, try with what you have first. It may save you $$ and space. If not, amazon will get you one in 24-48 hrs!