What Is A Nursing Pillow and Why Do I Need One?

What is a Nursing Pillow?

Let me begin by telling you what nursing pillows are before explaining why they are a lifesaver for all nursing mothers. For those of you coming to this article unaware of what a nursing pillow is, it's a pillow that wraps around your torso to give you the height needed to breastfeed a baby comfortably without causing any unnecessary strain on your neck, arm, or back muscles.

Why Do I Need A Nursing Pillow?

A newborn baby always demands food, and you could be breastfeeding about 10 or more times a day in the first couple of months. Breastfeeding is literally backbreaking work if you have to do it seated in an uncomfortable position with a hunched back trying to prop up the baby on the one hand. Doing this continuously for 2 to 3 months is enough to get you to a chiropractor's chamber. And nobody wants that.

So here's the lowdown on all the benefits of using a nursing pillow and why you should definitely invest in one.

The Benefits of Nursing Pillows

1. A Nursing Pillow Can Be Used For Both Breastfed and Bottle-fed Babies

A nursing pillow is versatile equipment. You might think you will have no use of it once you're done breastfeeding, but you are wrong. For babies who haven't learned to sit up straight on their own, nursing pillows can help prop them up while bottle feeding. Although we recommend you stay nearby or better still hold the baby for support, it significantly reduces your body's strain.

Step by Step Instructions on How to Use a Breastfeeding Pillow

2. Nursing Pillows Save Your Body From Unwanted Strain

When you are feeding your child for several hours a day, it pays to be comfortable. As a new mom, you could be feeding the baby about 10 times a day. That puts a lot of pressure on your neck, back, and arm muscles. Add to this another problem of getting the baby to latch correctly. Latching troubles usually result in painful nipples. Nursing pillows give you the proper height so that the baby is tummy to tummy with you, and you don't have to break your back to feed them. You could adjust the belt at the end to give you maximum support and comfort.

3. Nursing Pillows Are a Must For Women With a C-Section

Women recovering from a caesarian section are recommended to not lay their babies directly on the tummy, which might cause undue stress on the healing stitches. Nursing pillows come in handy in such situations because they create a buffer between your belly and the baby.

4. Nursing Pillows Help With Latching

Many moms complain that the baby does not latch properly to the nipple or that there is not enough milk transfer when they are trying to feed the baby. According to doctors, improper latching often results in insufficient milk transfer even if the mother produces a lot of milk. Nursing pillows encourage latching by bringing the baby to the right height. The increased level helps the mother to properly feed the baby.

5. Nursing Pillows are Great For Tummy Time

Nursing pillows were initially just u-shaped pillows that moms used to prop their babies on before they learned to crawl. Over time, mothers being the innovative creatures they are, started using those pillows for nursing. So, nursing pillows are great for tummy time, mommas!

Know More Benefits of Using a Breastfeeding Pillow

Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Nursing Pillows

• Your pillow should be firm but not so much that it doesn't mold according to your body's shape or cause discomfort to the baby. But it shouldn't be so soft that your baby sinks in and is unable to feed.
• Take care to check that the nursing pillow and the cover are made of hypoallergenic materials. Go for cotton nursing pillows when in doubt. They are soft, comfortable, and don't cause any irritation to the baby's skin.
• Prefer machine-washable pillows and covers over hand-washable ones. Trust us, with a baby around, you will have no time on your hands to handwash things. You need something that works with a switch. Seriously.
• Check for stretch panels in nursing pillows. A stretch panel allows the band to stretch and fit most body types. If you buy one without it, you might have trouble adjusting to it. Stretch panel pillows also have more give than the rest.
• Lastly, always check your store's return/exchange policy before making a purchase. We recommend this for all maternity and baby-related products. Maternity sizes are confusing, you want the best and the softest things on offer for your baby, and sometimes the pictures on the internet are misleading. Whether you are buying from a physical store or online, be sure to read the fine print.