How to Use a Nursing Pillow: Simple Steps for New Parents

Nursing is important bonding time between you and your baby but not if it causes you discomfort. Without a nursing pillow, many mothers experience pain and discomfort, especially in the back, shoulders, and arms. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, using a nursing pillow will help you achieve the optimal nursing position and prevent strain on your upper body.

Discover how to use a nursing pillow in the way that's best for you, and banish all worries about maintaining good posture while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding pillows can take the nursing experience from painful to pleasureable. They're designed to prop up your baby, maintaining a safer and more comfortable feeding position for you both.

As highlighted by the CDC, breastfeeding is beneficial for both the parent and baby, reducing your child's risk of developing many diseases even well into adulthood. Using a pillow incentivizes parents to breastfeed more consistently, which may improve your child's long-term health outcomes.

Here are the main ways that using a nursing pillow can help during breastfeeding:

• Take off the weight: The nursing pillow takes most of your baby's weight, to prevent arm and shoulder strain.
• Improves posture: By helping to raise your baby to nipple-height, a nursing pillow can prevent new parents from slouching forward, preventing tension in the back and neck.
• Optimal latching: In a randomized, controlled trial, researchers found that using a nursing pillow improved latching by a significant margin.
• Support at different stages: A nursing pillow can help even as your baby grows and you need to adapt your nursing position.
• Hand-free feeding: A breastfeeding pillow can help free up one of your hands, so you can drink, eat, or use a remote control while nursing.

Using a nursing pillow (especially for the first time) can seem daunting. What goes where? How can you get comfortable?

Following these steps to use a nursing pillow is easier than you'd think, and you'll have ultra-comfy breastfeeding sessions in no time.

Step 1: Select a spot (or spots) around the house where you'll breastfeed regularly, like your bed, the couch, or a favorite chair.

Step 2: Sit down, center the pillow over your lap, and if it has any arms, wrap them around your waist. Play with the placement of your feet and the arms until you find an ideal position.

Step 3: Ensure your back feels supported in the position you choose, and that you have a place to rest your elbows and a table or stool nearby for drinking water. The WildBird pillow is large enough so that if you want to breastfeed in bed, it will give support to both your arms and lower back support.

Step 4: In the front, position the pillow high enough so your baby's mouth will be close to your breast, and you'll have an easy time supporting their head. If the pillow isn't high enough, place another pillow under it or sit cross-legged to elevate the pillow.

It might take some trial and error until you find the position you like, and it will also change over the coming weeks as your baby grows.

Step 5: If needed, secure the pillow around your waist by tying up its ends or fastening a clasp. The WildBird Maternity Pillow is designed with two ties on one end and a loop on the other, which allows you to adjust the tightness.

Step 6: Once ready, position your baby sideways with their body aligned from ear to hip. Hold them facing you, tummy-to-tummy, and use your arm to support their body from below (usually with their head or bottom nestled against the crook of your elbow). The pillow should support your arm as it holds the baby, especially in the first six to eight weeks.

Step 7: If needed, free one hand to help your baby latch, either by offering it your nipple or guiding their head.

Here's everything you need to know about the main breastfeeding positions, and how to combine them with a breastfeeding pillow.

1) The cradle hold is the position you probably imagine when you think of a parent cradling a baby. In this position, your baby's head nestles against or rests slightly above the crook of your elbow, to feed from the breast on the same side. Use your other hand to support the back of your baby's head or to help guide your breast towards their mouth.

This nursing position is ideal at all stages of growth, especially if your latches easily. A pregnancy pillow turns this into an easy and restful position, and frees up one hand once your baby has latched.

2) The cross-cradle hold is the reverse of the cradle hold, and it's fantastic when feeding newborns who need help latching. In this position, you support your baby's body and neck with the arm opposite the breast from which they're feeding. This position can be very demanding on your arm, so a nursing pillow is a must.

3) The football hold is a unique breastfeeding position that looks a lot like an American football carry (hence the name). In this position, the baby is nestled with their bottom at the crook of the elbow that's on the same side as the breast. It's a great nursing hold if you need to nurse two babies at once, but it also calls for a larger pillow that wraps around your waist effectively.

4) In a side-lying position, you and your baby both lie on your side on a flat mattress. You will need a pillow to elevate your head. While you wouldn't normally need a nursing pillow in this position, you can place a body pillow behind you and between your legs to support your back and hips.

This position is popular with parents who cannot sit upright comfortably to feed or who are nursing at night while tired.

Nursing pillows have plenty of applications beyond breastfeeding. Here are some of the other ways to use a nursing pillows like our WildBird Pregnancy Pillow:

• Support your baby during bottle feeding
• Use as a pregnancy or body pillow, to maintain good sleep posture and prevent pain
• Use as prop for your baby during tummy time
• Use to prop yourself up or support your back when sitting or lying upright

Never let your baby lie or fall asleep on the pillow without adult supervision. Infants should always be placed on their back to sleep, on a flat mattress, in a crib totally free from clutter such as blankets, pillows, or toys.

With so many nursing pillows available to new parents, look for a versatile option that'll support you through multiple stages of parenthood.

• Filler material: The filling impacts pillow firmness, ease of cleaning, and whether the pillow is hypoallergenic. Polyester pearl filling is ideal for easy cleaning and just the right level of firmness.
• Size: The nursing pillow you choose should be large enough to fully wrap around your waist, so it can also support your arms and elbows. At the same time, it shouldn't be so large that it's hard to move or takes up too much space.
• Customization: If you're interested in a versatile or multi-purpose pillow, look for features like ties or straps and a pearl or shredded filling, so you can easily adjust the pillow's firmness level or how it wraps around your waist.
• Cleaning: Accidents happen, so always check the cleaning instructions of the pillow you'd like to purchase. Machine washable pillows with easy-to-remove pillow covers.

The WildBird Maternity Pillow will fit your needs from pregnancy to infancy. When used as a nursing pillow, it's flexible and easy to maneuver. It's also easy to keep clean, with stylish linen pillow covers you can toss in the washing machine as needed. The adjustable design offers maximum support for your baby and your back, neck, and arms, for comfortable nursing from here on out.

1. Can you use a nursing pillow for bottle feeding?

   Yes, you can absolutely use a nursing pillow for bottle feeding! Consider investing in one if lack of arm support or bad posture are causing you any pain, tension, or strain.

2. Nursing pillow vs pregnancy pillow - how to pick the right one?

   Always choose a pillow that's explicitly recommended for your intended use.

   Choose a maternity pillow if you're currently pregnant and experiencing sleep-related discomfort, as they're designed keep the body in a healthy position during pregnancy,

   Once you've given birth and are ready to breastfeed, most pregnancy pillows will be too large and unwieldy to help. Instead, opt for a nursing pillow specifically designed to wrap around your waist and support your baby in a variety of safe feeding positions.

   If you'd like a pillow that'll cover your needs from pregnancy to nursing, the WildBird Pregnancy Pillow is a dedicated and tested all-in-one option. It works just as well as a pregnancy body pillow as it does for breastfeeding.

3. Is a nursing pillow good for a newborn baby?

   Yes! Many new moms use a nursing pillow immediately as they start nursing. The pillow helps significantly in these early stages when your baby feeds 8 to 12 times per day.

   However, when nursing during the first 6 to 8 weeks of your child's life, be mindful that their body (especially the head and neck) are always directly supported by your arm.

4. How long can you use a breastfeeding pillow for?

   You can continue using a breastfeeding pillow for as long as you need to! Most parents stop using nursing pillows gradually around the 3 to 6 month mark, as their babies get better at latching and develop the muscles to lift and support their own head.

   If you opt for a flexible pillow like our WildBird Nursing Pillow, you can continue to use it as a body pillow for yourself.