Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish your little one that's as old as time itself. But if we're being completely honest here, it's also an experience that can quickly turn into an acrobatic circus act especially for new moms! One minute you're peacefully cradling your newborn, and the next, you're struggling to find the right latch while trying to avoid neck cramps.
It's during this period of time that you come to appreciate an unsung hero among breastfeeding mothers: the nursing pillow. This little cushion may look unassuming, but don't let its soft, U-or-C-shaped appearance fool you. It's a specially engineered tool designed to provide the ergonomic support and alignment you and your baby need to feel comfortable all-through the feeding session.
See, a nursing pillow isn't just any old throw pillow you'd find tossed on the couch. Its unique shape and firm cushioning have been thoughtfully crafted to bring your baby in close. Thus, taking the strain off your back, arms, and shoulders. Nursing pillows, also known as breastfeeding pillows or nursing cushions, make breastfeeding your baby more enjoyable and less stressful.
However, for many new moms, mastering the art of breastfeeding is one of the biggest early parenthood challenges. It's a beautiful bond, yes, but it's also a skill that can take loads of patience, practice, and the right tools.
That's why I'm here today to share an in-depth guide on how to use a nursing pillow for breastfeeding! Come along!
How to Use a Nursing Pillow for Breastfeeding
Nursing pillows are total game-changers for breastfeeding mamas. At first glance, they might just look like oversized cushions. But trust me, those strategically designed curves provide so many amazing benefits beyond just basic support.
Practicing tummy time for a brief moment, 2-3 times a day, is another great way to make breastfeeding easier on your child, and ultimately, on the mother. Tummy time helps strengthen your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles. This not only eases feeding for your child but also confers several other benefits.
Back to nursing pillows, they are designed to be wrapped around your waist, providing elevated support that brings your baby up to an optimal level for breastfeeding. This prevents you from hunching over and straining your back, head, and neck. The pillow's firm cushion also helps keep your little one securely cradled in place.
The “My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow” is a perfect example of a comfy cushion that all nursing moms need. You can also check out my free resources as well as other top recommendations, including my top pumping gear recommendations!
With that in mind, here are the steps to follow for comfortable, ergonomic breastfeeding using nursing pillow:
Step 1: Get comfortably situated.
Find a cozy spot with good back support, whether it's your favorite armchair, the couch, or bedside. Use regular pillows to prop up behind your back and under your arms to avoid any strain or hunching. Then, fluff up the nursing pillow and wrap it snugly around your waist, securing it with the velcro strap or sleeve, if it has one. Getting properly set up from the start is key.
Step 2: Optimize baby's positioning.
Proper positioning is key for an easier latch and can help prevent issues like reflux or trouble swallowing down the road. The position that tends to work like a charm, especially when using a nursing pillow, is laying your baby on his/her side and facing you. I’m talking about the classic cradle hold. Not only does it make it way easier for their tiny lips to latch, but it also helps both of you get nice and comfy while learning how to work with the nursing pillow. It is hands-down one of the most common newborn breastfeeding positions for a reason!
However, every mama and baby are different, so you might find that other holds work better for your duo. Don't be afraid to experiment a little, while also considering the size of the pillow! Some other positioning options to hold your baby include the following:
- The rugby or football hold is perfect for smaller babies or C-section recoveries when tummy times isn't an option.
- The cross-cradle hold gives you a bit more control and support, especially for newbies still mastering that latch.
Step 3: Master the latch.
Once the baby is positioned with their nose level to your nipple, use your free hand to gently guide your breast towards their mouth. Stroke their cheek or upper lip to entice them to open their mouth wide before latching on to the entire areola, not just the nipple. The raised pillow will stabilize and support them hands-free as their latch deepens. Adjust their body positioning as needed by simply re-situating their weight onto the pillow's cushioned surface. This same principle applies to bottle-feeding sessions.
Step 4: Settle in comfortably.
With the baby now latched on properly, use the contour-shaped pillow and firm, yet cozy support, to snuggle them in as close as possible, distributing their weight evenly. You can rest your free arm on the pillow's raised edge to avoid any arm strain or numbness. Don't be afraid to adjust positioning as needed to find that optimal, pain-free sweet spot where you can relax during the feeding.
Step 5: Adjust the nursing pillow comfortably.
Good posture while nursing is an absolute must! If you're not careful about your positioning, you're setting yourself up for a world of neck, back, and arm strain that'll have you aching for days.
That's where trusty nursing pillows like “My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow” come in. This cushion is designed to bring your little one closer to you instead of having to hunch forward into some wildly uncomfortable position. It's a total game changer for preventing long-term discomfort and pain.
So, when it's time for the next feed, take an extra second to adjust the pillow comfortably around your waist area. You want it to feel snug against your body without being overly constricting. Getting that perfect snug-but-not-too-tight fit is key to allowing the baby to scoot into the ideal latch position.
Step 6: Seamlessly transition sides.
When it's time to switch breasts, use one hand to secure your baby on the pillow, while using the other to slip the nursing pillow out and around to the opposite side of your waist. Gently guide your baby’s head over to your other breast, using the same latch guidance from Step 3. The pillow's design allows you to smoothly transition feeding sides without interrupting their latch or disturbing them.
You can also get washable covers for your pillow to ensure easier cleaning. A great option would be the “Kids N' Such Minky Nursing Pillow Cover.”
New moms can use all of the support that they can get!
There you have it all the tips for getting the most out of your nursing pillow and making your breastfeeding sessions as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, these pillows are a total game changer for proper positioning, eliminating strain, and allowing peaceful bonding moments.
But as you may have experienced firsthand, breastfeeding success doesn't come equally easy to every mother out there. Perhaps you're struggling with low supply, painful latch issues, mastitis, or simply feeling overwhelmed in those early newborn days. Trust me, I've been there, and that's exactly why I've made it my mission to provide expert-led education and extra support to all breastfeeding and pumping mamas.
That's why I invite you to join my Ultimate Pumping Course, small group pumping classes, and quarterly live workshops. These incredible resources are designed to give busy, hardworking mamas out there some serious relief from the mental load and physical demands of new motherhood.
But that's not all! I've also carefully curated my personal top picks for the best pumping gear, accessories, and other free resources that'll make pumping at home, work, or on-the-go an absolute breeze!
