What is a feeding pillow?
A feeding pillow a.k.a. nursing pillow is a specially designed pillow to aid a mother during breastfeeding. A mother can wear it or snugly fit such a pillow around her abdomen. The pillow position around the waist is adjustable, enabling a baby on the pillow to comfortably latch at the breast.
Is a feeding pillow useful?
Using a feeding pillow is a matter of choice and comfort. While many nursing mothers consider it as an essential accessory, but some moms may find it cumbersome for nursing.
Pros of using a feeding pillow
There are various benefits of using a feeding pillow while nursing (or even bottle feeding). Primarily, feeding pillows are adjustable at different angles and positions around the circumference of the waist. With such flexibility, a feeding pillow can support different feeding positions. A mother can bring her newborn close to her body/breast to feed in a comfortable position without leaning forward.
With less slouching, a mother can maintain correct posture while feeding. For a nursing mother whose back is regaining its shape post delivery, that’s a significant support. Also, in initial weeks a nursing mother may feed her baby for 20-40 minutes, every 2-4 hours, which can strain her arms and shoulders. When the baby lays on the nursing pillow, it provides relief to the exhausted mother by taking off baby’s weight from mom’s arms and shoulders. Depending on the type of pillow used, it may even provide excellent lumbar support.
Many moms use feeding pillows to prop their baby, once baby can sit with support. Some use it to give tummy time to their baby, especially if the baby is cranky or bored while lying horizontally on the abdomen during tummy time.
You can watch more about benefits and uses of nursing pillow as well as different types or nursing pillows here.
Cons of using a feeding pillow
Some of the useful features of a nursing pillow can, unfortunately, cause discomfort to some babies, mothers or both. When placed on a feeding pillow, a baby may be uncomfortable or have difficulty onto latch to the breast. The discomfort or difficulty to latch may be due to the pillow’s shape, its material, fit on the mother or baby’s size. Feeding pillows come in standard sizes. Many feeding pillows come with fastening belts for securing as well as adjusting the fit. But if it does not fit well, a mother may lean forward to feed her baby, thus inviting backache. Also, not all pillows come with lumbar support. A mother may strain her shoulders and arms if she cannot rest arms properly on the pillow (due to her natural built or the fit of a pillow).
If it works well for you and your baby, a nursing pillow is a great feeding accessory to have. But if it makes your baby uncomfortable, or results in an improper latch (causing sore nipples in the mother or weight gain issue in baby), please avoid using it. Or if using a nursing pillow causes back pain or discomfort in the mother, stop using it immediately.
I used feeding pillow right from pregnancy days
I have always been a sound sleeper before I conceived. But I had a difficult time sleeping during most of my pregnancy. But right from my 6th week of pregnancy, I could not sleep for even 4 hours at a stretch. It just became worse with each night, and by the end of the 2nd trimester, I had a hard time sleeping at all. That’s when a friend suggested using pregnancy pillow. It is a ‘C-shaped’ pillow with a dual purpose: provide support to a pregnant mom’s back when resting on her side or use it as a feeding pillow.
Only after I started using C shaped maternity pillow, I could finally sleep well!
I used this pillow for nursing Anu as well. To use it while nursing, place one arm of the pillow on the lap to lay the baby. Then wrap and twist the other arms behind to support back or just snug fit them around the waist. It was handy during initial 2-3 weeks of nursing.
Types of Feeding pillows
There are different types of feeding pillows available in the market. Most popular ones are c-shaped and crescent shaped pillows. Many fellow moms I know, prefer a nursing pillow with fastening belt, to secure the pillow firmly on their body. These pillows come in different shapes, fillers, additional features and form. Additional features can be lumbar support, feeding cover, bottle/napkin holder, fastening belt with ‘silent-release’ buckle, etc.. Some pillows are designed to provide support while sleeping for the mother (during pregnancy as well as after delivery). Some pillows are designed specially to feed twins.
A maternity C or U shaped pillow can also work as a feeding pillow.
As already mentioned, I used my maternity C-shaped pillow for feeding for initial 2-3 weeks of nursing. Then I had a backache (I slouched while feeding due to my habitual sloppy posture and due to engorged breasts). So I switched to using a feeding pillow with lumbar support. It helped to maintain a straighter posture while feeding and supported my back. Using a feeding pillow (along with brisk daily walk) helped alleviate my backache.
Where to buy
Feeding pillow may be available at a maternity or baby store. Or buy it online. Some of the popular brands available online are MomToBe, Chicco, Mee Mee, Nina, Babyhug, Lulamom, etc.. If possible, try out a feeding pillow before buying one.
Some Indian brands selling nursing pillows are part of breastfeeding/pre-natal/post-natal awareness programs. They may showcase their products at various maternity events or may offer a free trial. Contact the seller or the brand to avail a free trial if possible.
Note: Please remember, the nursing pillow should fit you well without making you lean forward while feeding. And very important that baby should be able to latch well while lying on the pillow. If you get sore nipples after using a pillow, it may be indicative of improper latch. Always consult your paediatrician if you have sore nipples or baby is in discomfort while feeding (irrespective of using a nursing pillow or not).
How long can I use a Feeding pillow?
You can use the nursing pillow as long as you and your baby are comfortable and baby is latching well. Most mothers stop using it as a nursing accessory once baby gains sufficient neck control (when mom can easily bring baby close to her breast). Or stop using a nursing pillow when baby grows and cannot fit on the pillow.
I stopped using it once Anu was 4.5 months old; by then she had sufficient neck control. Also, by then she had outgrown the pillow.
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