Pillow for feeding an infant: how to use, is it necessary?

A nursing pillow is an accessory that greatly facilitates the process of caring for a newborn baby. A nursing mother becomes very tired after holding her baby for several hours, especially if he often takes the breast and sucks for a long time. A comfortable position and a good mood of the mother are a guarantee of successful lactation and sufficient breastfeeding time, which is why the use of a special pillow is so important.

Why is it needed?

Are nursing pillows really necessary for babies?

Feeding an infant takes from 15 minutes to half an hour, but it often happens that he does not let go of his mother's breast for a long time. During one day, the procedure is repeated every 2-4 hours.

Although it is pleasant for a mother to hold her baby in her arms, very soon she will begin to feel heaviness, pain in the spine, and will want to relieve tension.

Feeding becomes ineffective not only because the mother has taken the wrong position. The composition of milk at the beginning of the breast and at its end is different. In order for the baby to receive a full dose of beneficial microelements, he needs to empty it completely.

For this purpose, the mother applies it to the nipples in different positions. This allows you to feed the baby normally, and also make sure that the mother does not develop diseases associated with stagnation of milk.

Using a nursing pillow is a solution to all the problems described. With its help, breastfeeding will become comfortable and easy.

Why is it needed:

supporting the baby at chest level without unnecessary effort;
free hands;
eliminating stress from a woman’s neck and back;
the ability to attach the baby from different positions;
If necessary, it will allow you to feed two babies at the same time.

Also, special pillows are used during pregnancy. It is more comfortable for the expectant mother to sleep with them.

Another function is to secure an older child in a sitting position.

How to use a nursing pillow?

The main question that a mother faces after purchasing is how to use the nursing pillow? To facilitate the process, the pillow should be placed in front and secured at the back using ties, Velcro or other devices. This position significantly relieves the load on the spine and arms. The baby lies on the pillow with his stomach facing his mother, and the mother lightly holds him with her hands.

It is important to pay attention to the fact that mothers with small breasts are recommended to buy pillows with denser filling so that the woman does not need to lean towards the child. There are a large number of different poses. The mother herself decides in what position it is more convenient for her and the baby to carry out the feeding process.

At the time of feeding, the position of the child should not interfere with the full act of sucking, and it is also necessary to monitor calm, free breathing.

In order to prevent milk stagnation, you need to alternate breasts and positions. Some lobules are difficult to empty, so the mother may develop lactostasis. There is a certain provision that prevents this. The baby should be positioned under the mother’s arm, that is, the body should be under the armpit.

Useful features

What are the functions of baby feeding pillows:

Strong fixation of the newborn's torso.
Unloading the muscles of the mother’s arms, back, and neck.
Maintaining normal posture.
Creating comfortable conditions during breastfeeding for both the mother and her baby.
The ability to properly attach the baby to the breast.
Freeing up hands, due to which a woman can do something else (eat, read) while breastfeeding.
If feeding is long, you can easily change the position.
The device is convenient to use while traveling.
It is suitable for games and simple gymnastics.
The product is placed on the edge of the furniture to prevent the sleeping child from falling.
It is used when feeding in a lying position - as a side.

Twin nursing pillow

Feeding two children at the same time can be quite problematic and inconvenient. For such situations, a special pillow for feeding twins has been developed. This device is made of high-strength foam rubber, which holds its shape well, but is very soft. The pillow has a horseshoe shape and a special angle of inclination so that children are closer to their mother. You can secure the pillow at the back with ties, Velcro or clasps. The pillow cover is made of cotton, which can be removed and washed.

Kinds

Nursing pillows are produced by both Russian and foreign companies. Products differ from each other in material, shape, and appearance.

What types of pillows can be found in stores:

in the shape of a U. It can be wrapped around the mother's torso. This ensures a decent level of comfort during feeding, as well as during pregnancy;
in the shape of a C. It is placed to provide support to the woman's abdomen. The newborn is placed on the pillow itself, which is then applied to the breast;
letter I. The dimensions of the nursing pillow coincide with the height of a person;
The L-shaped product is designed to support the mother's neck. Because of this, the processes of feeding and rest can be combined. The effect of complete relaxation is achieved.

The variety of forms of feeding devices allows you to make an informed choice of a product that will be comfortable to use in the future.

Comfort is ensured by the internal softness of the filler, intelligently combined with a certain degree of rigidity.

This way the original shape of the thing is maintained and the desired effect is achieved.

Position selection

Today, several basic positions for breastfeeding are known. Their choice may be determined by the age of the baby, the state of health of the mother, the structural features of the mammary glands and even the time of day. For example, night feeding, which is mandatory in the first months after birth, usually occurs while lying down. The same position is recommended for women who gave birth through cesarean section or other surgical interventions, with mandatory subsequent suturing.

If a young mother does not have any restrictions in the postpartum period, then it is best to feed the baby while sitting.

The most popular position remains the “cradle”: a woman sits with her back resting on the back of a chair, armchair or sofa, while the child is on her lap in a horizontal position, with his tummy turned towards the mother.

The woman’s hands can support the baby in a straight or cross position.

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Recommended Fillers

What kind of stuffing can nursing pillows be filled with:

Sintepon. Artificial filler. Has soft properties. A pillow with padding polyester can be washed, dried, and ventilated. Removable covers are easy to replace.
Fibertek. Soft padding, not effective enough when you need to support a person’s back, as well as maintain the original shape of the device.
Holofiber. Synthetic filler. Washes well. Has a lower degree of elasticity than solid padding.
Sinful husk. Natural filling of nursing pillows with increased wear resistance. The shape of buckwheat fruits allows them to form a hard, elastic surface of a comfortable shape. The accessory must not be washed; airing is permissible. The covers are removable, so they can be changed if necessary.
Polystyrene balls. Artificial filler. Has the shape of a ball. When the balls come into contact with each other, they make a rustling noise that does not cause any inconvenience to the owner of the nursing pillow. These sounds have a beneficial effect on children's hearing. The item is pleasant to the touch and has characteristics that promote relaxation.
Microbeads. Their size is up to 1.5 millimeters. This size makes the padding nice and easy to use.

When choosing devices for feeding your baby, their size is also important. The standard indicator is from 1.2 to 2 meters long.

Multifunctional item

This accessory is useful not only for feeding. If the pillow is made in the form of a bolster, it is often placed on the bed to protect the baby from falling. A nursing pillow will replace a whole set when traveling. It can be used for its intended purpose, used to make a cozy nest for a child and create barriers to unwanted movements.

In addition, this product can be used for gymnastic exercises for mother and baby. It is used when the child tries to sit independently.

Hypoallergenic models

All models of nursing pillows filled with synthetic filling, as well as some options with natural filling, are considered hypoallergenic.

The safety and health of mother and baby is very important. For this reason, you should choose products from a reliable manufacturer that uses environmentally friendly materials without chemical impurities.

Pillow covers for feeding infants are also hypoallergenic, preferably cotton, which does not cause skin irritation. The fabric is pleasant to the touch.

Hypoallergenic fillings (sintepon, holofiber, fibertek) are notable for their low price. They are unpretentious to use and do not spring excessively.

Pillow care

Before use, immediately after purchase, it is recommended to wash the pillowcase in a washing machine at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees, and then iron the dry cover on both sides. Some synthetic fillings (sintepon, holofiber, comforter) can be washed in a washing machine on a delicate cycle in a special case.

After washing, shake the pillow thoroughly so that the filling is evenly distributed. When washing, it is recommended to use any washing machine detergent. Air conditioners and bleaches should not be used.

Caring for polystyrene foam filling does not require washing. If the granules have “settled”, you can add balls to the pillow.

Popular models

Nursing pillows are produced by many well-known companies. The most popular models:

Austrian brand Anita. The filler is either polyester or polystyrene granules. Easy to use and care. The item dries quickly after washing and is hygroscopic. Price – from 4 thousand rubles.
Russian Milk River Twins. Filled with cotton, foam rubber. Device for feeding twins. Children are firmly fixed in place, the surface is flat, and there is a useful pocket for small items. Costs from 2 thousand.
Russian Velina. Filling: cotton, polystyrene foam balls. A pillow for both pregnant women and nursing mothers. Easily takes the shape of a child's body. The size and shape of the cover changes. Price – from 2 thousand.
Russian Nanny Globex. Knitwear, foam padding. Adapts to the anatomical characteristics of the body. The kit comes with one more element – an inclined one. It will cost 700 rubles.
Israeli Born free. Materials – cotton, polyester. Model with three levels for children of different ages. Height is adjustable. Price – from 5 thousand.
German Theraline. A combination of polystyrene and cotton balls. Multifunctional accessory. Sold in various shapes and colors. Takes the form of bodies, movements of mother, baby. Costs from 3 thousand.
Russian Mama's Helper. Holofiber balls, cotton. Lightweight, soft products in bright colors with a convenient pocket and double cover. They will cost from a thousand rubles.

You can not only buy a nursing pillow, but also sew it yourself. Before creating it, you should accurately determine the shape and length of the device, and understand what material is needed for the cover and padding.

Long pillows are suitable for children of almost any age, short ones - only for newborns.

Flat surfaces are good because of their high level of comfort and orthopedic properties. It is possible to fill the item with foam rubber, expanded polystyrene, or holofiber.

Top 5 pillows for feeding babies

Knowing what the most popular nursing pillows are available today will make it easier for mom to make a choice.

Pillow RED CASTLE BIG FLOPSY, German manufacturer. Consists of polystyrene foam. Available in a length of 170 cm. The cost of this pillow is quite high and amounts to 5,300 rubles.
CEBA BABY DUO pillow. Country of origin: Poland. C-shaped pillow, which also consists of polystyrene foam balls. This device has its own characteristics. The pillow is one of the longest, the length of which can reach 3 meters. The price is 4500 rubles.
Pillow ALVITEK U-340, domestic production. A U-shaped pillow, which has a length of 340 cm. The pillow is filled with holofiber, which significantly reduces the price of the product, which is 1200 rubles.
The TRELAX BANANA pillow also has a Russian manufacturer. C-shaped pillow. The filler is polystyrene foam, which is the safest and hypoallergenic. The length of the pillow is small (135 cm), you can take it with you. The price is 3000 rubles.
Pillow - transformer CANDIDE 3 in 1 MULTIRELAX + JERSEY COTTON, France. This pillow is the most functional. With the help of special belts, the baby can be held in the device outside of the feeding process. The filler is polystyrene foam. The price of a pillow ranges around 6,000 rubles.

Red Castle Big Flopsy Pillow

High-quality pillows are quite expensive. If a mother wants to save money on a product, she can sew it herself. A DIY nursing pillow, the pattern of which is quite simple, can consist of any material, shape and size that the mother needs.

Size

The sizes of nursing pillows are not limited by any strict standards. Their length can only slightly exceed the height of the baby, and can reach 1.5-2 meters. Small pillows are mainly suitable only for supporting the mother’s back and arms and for the comfortable position of the baby, but on large products, if necessary, even an adult can sit comfortably and relax.

It is better to test the pillow before purchasing. First of all, you need to pay attention to its height and softness. Naturally, a tall woman will need a higher pillow. A soft pillow that does not match the mother’s height will not be comfortable for feeding. In order for the baby on her to reach the breast, mommy will have to bend down. The baby will roll off a pillow that is too hard and will have to make additional efforts to support it. This will lead to stretch marks on the chest, incorrect latching of the nipple by the baby, and the point of using such products will be lost.

Form

Nursing pillows can be very different in shape, but most often there are products in the form of:

horseshoes (U-shaped);
boomerang (C-shaped);
pipes (I-shaped);
lifebuoy (O-shaped);
as well as tall rectangular products with additional support for the baby’s head.

You can choose the shape of the pillow at your discretion, based on your personal physiological needs and physical characteristics. The most popular pillows are crescent or horseshoe shaped. The latter are especially convenient to use for simultaneous feeding of twins.