Every Breastfeeding Mom Needs to Know About These Supportive Nursing Pillows

Nursing your baby can be one of the most wonderful bonding experiences of parenting. It can also be one of the hardest — emotionally, mentally, and physically. Getting comfortable while you nurse can truly be a lifesaver during those long, middle-of-the-night feedings. Bottle feeding has many of the same pains, especially if you're feeding multiples. Sure, you can try different positions on your bed or your sofa, but many parents find they need a little extra support to help cradle their babies, which is where nursing pillows come in.

It's also a great registry item. It's generally a mid-price item perfect for coworkers, friends, or cousins to gift the expectant parent. It's often one of the first items purchased off of a registry.

Best Nursing Pillows

Why You Need a Nursing Pillow

It’s Good for Your Body

Nursing and bottle feeding your baby can take a toll on your back, neck, and shoulders — but nursing pillows can make a world of difference. According to Mommy Guru Kristen O'Dell, FNP-BC, “Using the pillow takes the weight and pressure off some of these joints and muscles. It supports the baby’s head and raises the baby up to the breast versus using your arms to do so. It allows you to recline slightly to feed the baby rather than lean forward.”

Pillows aren't just for positioning — they're also for protection, creating a barrier between your baby's wily legs and your healing body. Since nothing other than bottle feeding will protect your abused nipples if you're breastfeeding, you can at least guard your loins. Because if you “had a C-section, a breastfeeding pillow can help protect the incision from getting hit or kicked by the baby during feedings. It can even help support the incision if you cough or have a bit of a panicked freak out when you realize that your baby can and will spray breast milk all over their face at some point,” O’Dell tells Best Products.

And when you've just had it? You've been cluster feeding your little one for 2 days, your back hurts, your neck hurts, and you just wish you could get in your feels and zone out, having a pillow that helps your baby stay put while you eat popcorn and watch the latest terrible dating show on Netflix (it's practically therapy) can be a lifesaver.

It Can Be Good for Your Baby, Too

Babies with reflux get a lot out of nursing pillows. They allow your baby to be positioned in a way that makes it more comfortable for them to eat, says O’Dell. After all, babies who are comfortable are less fussy overall. Nursing pillows offer routine and stability for new babies as well. They know when they’re placed on the pillow, it’s mealtime — and it gets them into a routine that is a crucial thing for everyone.

One important note that we need to point out is that many parents have used these as sleeping pillows for their baby, and that is not the intended use for them, and it's not safe.

All of these pillows have been thoroughly vetted, with many tested by a member of our team or trusted tester. Check them out!