Breastfeeding a newborn can feel like a lot at first. You are learning how to hold your baby, support their head and body, help them latch, and find a position that feels comfortable for both of you.
A nursing pillow can make that process easier by helping bring your baby closer to breast height, supporting their body during feeds, and reducing the need to hunch over. This can make breastfeeding more comfortable for your back, neck, shoulders, and arms.1
Here’s what a nursing pillow is, how it can help, how to use popular styles like Boppy and My Brest Friend, and what safety reminders to keep in mind.
Key Takeaways
- A nursing pillow can help lift and support your baby during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
- Better positioning may reduce strain on your back, neck, shoulders, and arms.1
- Nursing pillows can help support a more comfortable latch and feeding position.1
- They should only be used while your baby is awake and supervised.
- Never use a nursing pillow for infant sleep, lounging, or unsupervised propping.3
What Is a Nursing Pillow?
Nursing pillows are feeding-support tools designed to help support your baby and make breastfeeding more comfortable. The nursing pillow helps the mom adjust the baby into an ideal position for successful breastfeeding.1
Most commonly, a breastfeeding pillow will come across the front of the mother’s abdomen and wrap around her slightly above the hips. Nursing pillows are generally C- or U-shaped and made of foam. Many breastfeeding pillows come in various forms, sizes, and colors. Two of the most common brands are Boppy and My Brest Friend.
Related: Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Should Have
What Is a Nursing Pillow For?
Many parents purchase a nursing pillow before their baby arrives but are not always sure how it can help during daily feeds.
Nursing pillows are designed to help your baby be propped into an ideal breastfeeding position, allowing mom and baby to breastfeed comfortably with optimal support. Commonly, breastfeeding mothers report sore backs or necks. This usually results from the mom moving her body down to the baby’s level to latch and feed. Breastfeeding pillows allow the mom to position the baby in a more supported and higher-up position, bringing the baby up to her.
This support puts the mom in a better position to work on the baby’s latch and helps prevent her from hunching over, which can strain her back and neck. When breastfeeding is comfortable for both baby and mother, it will be easier to meet breastfeeding goals and have a successful breastfeeding journey.1
Related: 7 Breastfeeding Positions To Try for a Better Latch
Benefits of a Nursing Pillow
Nursing pillows are not required for feeding, but many parents find they make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more comfortable and easier to manage.
Nursing pillows help position your baby at a more comfortable feeding height, which provides a better opportunity for baby to latch well and supports mom’s back and neck by adjusting baby so she does not need to hunch or bend over.1
One published study specifically looked at the impact of nursing pillows on mothers’ fatigue levels. The result showed that fatigue levels were lower for mothers who used pillows while breastfeeding. They attribute this to babies being in a position where they are more motivated to feed and can feed more successfully. Being in a position to latch well leads to fewer breastfeeding complications, such as nipple pain, engorgement, and mastitis.2
Another benefit of nursing pillows is their convenience. While bed pillows or rolled blankets can help get the job done, breastfeeding pillows offer convenience, helping mom get their baby into a comfortable position before each feeding with little effort.
Related: Breastfeeding Discomforts and How To Manage Them
How To Use a Boppy Pillow
Many parents choose a Boppy because it is lightweight, widely available, and easy to position during feeds.
The Boppy pillow has a simple, user-friendly design. With both of my daughters, I chose to use the Original Support Nursing Pillow by Boppy for breastfeeding. I found the Boppy easy to use, and it provided the perfect amount of support for me to breastfeed comfortably. Although colors and design were not at the top of my priority list when looking for the ideal pillow for breastfeeding, it was nice to see the wide variety of prints and colors available. The size of the Boppy made this feeding pillow convenient to bring anywhere I went.
Steps for Using the Boppy Pillow:
- Find a comfortable seated position.
- Place the opening of the pillow around your waist or side, depending on where you need support for your preferred breastfeeding position.
- You are now ready to feed your baby.
How To Use a My Brest Friend Pillow
Another commonly recommended breastfeeding pillow is the My Brest Friend pillow. This feeding pillow offers a backrest to support mom’s back and neck and promote good posture. It also has a wraparound design to help maintain the feeding position while nursing, a large “firm front” cushion for the baby to rest on while feeding, and even an armrest for the mom.
Steps for Using the My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow:
- Find a comfortable seated position.
- Place the pillow around your waist with the backrest behind you.
- Move the pillow to your desired height for breastfeeding.
- Use the clasp to close and secure the pillow.
- Make sure the pillow is close to your body and comfy.
- Place baby on the pillow, and you are ready to breastfeed.
Nursing Pillow Safety
Nursing pillows can be helpful during feeds, but they should only be used as intended and with close supervision.
Nursing pillows should only be used while your baby is awake, supervised, and feeding. Never use a nursing pillow for infant sleep, lounging, or unsupervised propping. Babies can shift into positions that may obstruct their breathing if a nursing pillow is used incorrectly. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also acknowledged that nursing support pillows can pose a safety risk when misused and has called for stronger safety standards and warnings.3
What To Consider Before Buying a Nursing Pillow
It is easy to get overwhelmed when deciding on products you might need for your baby, including which breastfeeding pillow to choose. I always recommend taking the time to research your options when considering a purchase. Look into all the details to see what product best meets your needs and expectations.
If possible, try out different nursing pillows before you purchase one. If you have a friend who has a Boppy pillow, My Brest Friend pillow, or another breastfeeding pillow, ask to borrow it to find out which might work best for you and your little one. Once your baby arrives and you can try them out, you can see which one you are most comfortable with and make an informed purchase.
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for which nursing pillow works best. Every individual will have different preferences regarding what is most comfortable and supportive of their needs. There are also many nursing pillows for tandem feeding if you have twins!
A nursing pillow is not required, but it can be a helpful tool for making breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more comfortable. The right pillow may help support your baby, reduce strain on your body, and make frequent feeds feel a little easier.
Choose a pillow that fits your body, your baby, and your feeding goals, and always use it safely while your baby is awake and supervised. If you have questions about latch, positioning, pain, or milk transfer, reach out to your lactation consultant or healthcare provider. You do not have to figure it out alone.
