How to use a breastfeeding pillow: 4 functional and alternative ways

Breastfeeding is a very important phase in the life of a mother and baby. It is an intimate moment, of a lot of surrender and closeness, between mother and child. Still, breastfeeding has some challenges, and you need to think of tricks to make the process more comfortable, such as the breastfeeding pillow.

A simple accessory that can help with the process is the breastfeeding pillow. Arch-shaped and available in a variety of styles, it’s specially designed to help support your baby as he feeds. The pillow can also be used for other moments of the little one. Learn more about the accessory.

4 ways to use the breastfeeding pillow

The breastfeeding pillow is a C-shaped pillow to be placed around the mother’s body while she feeds the baby. But, in addition to its main function, it can have other uses in the life of the mother and child.

1. For breastfeeding: as mentioned earlier, this is the main function of the pillow. When placed around the mother’s body, it allows breastfeeding to take place in two different positions, as breastfeeding consultant Silvia Briani explains: in the traditional position, with the accessory fitted in front of the body, or in the inverted position, with the pillow on the mother’s side. The use of the accessory can offer several benefits in breastfeeding, which will be known below.
2. To keep the baby belly up after a feed: “It can be used as a half nest to support the baby”, says Silvia. Because of its shape, the pillow can be fitted to the little one’s body, so he is lying down, but inclined, a good position for the baby to stay after having suckled, avoiding reflux.
3. To help with the crawling process: when the baby is a little tougher, it is important to stimulate the development of the muscles that make him support himself in some positions, such as prone. At this stage, it is recommended to leave the little one on his stomach for a few periods during the day, and the pillow can be an ally in this process.
4. To keep the baby sitting: Sitting is another position in which the pillow can help the baby. It is a learning process for the baby to be able to maintain itself in this position without support, while it evolves in this regard, the breastfeeding pillow works as a more structured support than the traditional ones.

Benefits of a breastfeeding pillow

As it is known – and the name of the accessory itself reveals – the greatest benefits of the pillow in question are aimed at breastfeeding. Find out what are the advantages for mother and baby when using it:

• Ideal for the first few months: when the baby is small, and the mother is still getting used to breastfeeding, the pillow is a real hand on the wheel. “The pillow can help a lot in the first month of the baby’s life, when he is still very soft and the positioning is all done by the mother”, explains the consultant.
• Makes it easier to latch on: one of the biggest challenges of breastfeeding is getting the baby to latch correctly, that is, position the breast in the mouth correctly to suckle. Silvia says that the breastfeeding pillow can help in this function, because if the baby’s position is correct, the latch will be done more easily, and leaning on the pillow, he is less likely to change out of the initial position, and lose the latch.
• Allows breastfeeding in different positions: the breastfeeding pillow can be useful not only in the traditional frontal position, where the accessory is positioned in front of the mother. The inverted position can also be practiced with its help. In this position, the pillow is fitted to the side of the mother’s body, and the baby is also on the side, supported by the accessory. The lactation consultant emphasizes that the choice of position depends on the mother’s preference.
• Improves the mother’s posture: when breastfeeding, the mother can be tense and uncomfortable when holding the little one for a long time, says the consultant. By using the breastfeeding pillow as a support, there can be more comfort and the intimate moment with the baby can be even more pleasurable.
• Helps Rest Your Arms: Another problem that moms can face is arm pain. The pillow, then, has the function of support for the baby, as Silvia explains: “it facilitates the positioning of the baby with the intention of preserving the mother’s arms so that she does not get tired.”.
• It makes breastfeeding possible in different places: “many women limit themselves, or force themselves to adapt to the breastfeeding chair, and this is not necessary”, says Silvia. However, the pillow support can make it easier to adapt to breastfeed in other places, such as a bed or sofa. The consultant also warns: “Women can and should get used to being able to breastfeed in any environment.”.

Despite all these benefits, Silvia says that the same result is also possible with the use of other pillows or pillows that the mother has available. “The specific pillow helps, but is not essential for the success of breastfeeding”, highlights the consultant.

7 options for breastfeeding pillows you can buy online

See some different models, choose your favorite and know where to buy each one online.

Where to buy

1. Salmon embroidered breastfeeding pillow, at Grão de Gente
2. Gray blend nursing pillow, at FOM
3. Blue navy breastfeeding pillow, at Mega Loja do Bebê
4. Loopy Trixel breastfeeding pillow cover, at FOM
5. Pink ruffled lace breastfeeding pillow from Grão de Gente
6. Beige breastfeeding pillow from Grão de Gente
7. Gray printed breastfeeding pillow, at Baby Enxoval

As you can see, there are breastfeeding pillows in the most varied colors, materials and styles. Just see the one that best suits your tastes before buying yours.