Breastfeeding Pillows
The benefits of using a breastfeeding pillow
Pregnancy and the early stages of a baby's life will provide parents with a truly unique and amazing experience, but it will also present an almost endless list of challenges - particularly for Mum! Being pregnant means morning sickness, tiredness and discomfort, then there is the trauma of the actual birth, followed by the inevitable lack of sleep. And amidst all this you'll need to get the hang of a new skill: breastfeeding!
Your partner will hopefully do his best to provide you with as much support as possible throughout all this, but when it comes to breastfeeding it's really down to Mum (and of course baby!). Thankfully, there are a number of breastfeeding pillows now available to help with what can be a tricky skill to master during what is a demanding time.
Breastfeeding pillows are designed primarily to provide support for Mum and baby during breastfeeding; they enable the baby to be propped up in a comfortable position for feeding, taking any strain away from Mum and also ensuring the little one is able to tilt his or her head back and swallow the milk easily.
Breastfeeding pillows can also double up as an effective sleeping aid for pregnant women, providing support to the tummy, knees and back and discouraging you from sleeping on your back. Pregnancy is tiring, so a good night's sleep is extremely important - especially when you consider the sleepless nights that lie ahead...
With this versatility in mind, it's no surprise that breastfeeding pillows are quickly becoming an essential part of the pregnant and new Mum's kit. This web site explains the various uses of breastfeeding pillows in more detail, as well as providing some useful general information on breastfeeding and advice on which pillows you might like to buy.
Breastfeeding Pillows Explained
The uses
Breastfeeding pillows are versatile products that can offer a variety of different comforts and uses during pregnancy and after the arrival of your baby. As well as providing a stable and comfortable platform for feeding your baby, breastfeeding pillows can give you back support, help you sleep more comfortably during pregnancy, can be used as a pillow to raise your baby's head and can also work as an aid to help your baby sit up more easily.
In their primary function as a feeding support, breastfeeding pillows provide a stable platform from which you can feed your baby with ease. A breastfeeding pillow should be comfortable yet firm, so your baby's back and neck are in a secure position. In addition to this it is important that the pillow forms a snug fit around your body - if it is too loose the constant need for adjustment can be quite annoying!
Another great function of the breast feeding pillow is as a back support - during feeding a surprising amount of strain can be placed on your back. Since breastfeeding is so regular during the early stages of a baby's life, it is important that you try to support your back as much as possible during this process. Breastfeeding pillows come in a variety shapes and sizes - many of them can wrap around your back giving you that much needed support.
It should be noted that you can also use your breast feeding pillow to support your back during pregnancy. Pregnancy can put a lot of pressure on your back, so a supporting pillow around your lower back whilst sitting down can work wonders.
Your nursing pillow can also be used to support your baby whilst they are learning to sit up on their own. In this guise, the pillow acts as a supportive surround to prevent baby from toppling over. One final point to note it that a breastfeeding pillow can also be used as a simple pillow for your baby. This can be particularly beneficial if baby is suffering from a cold or ear infection, as it is highly recommended that their head is elevated during this kind of illness.
Sleeping During Pregnancy
Sleep aids
Being pregnant can be exhausting, so this is not a time to be suffering from a lack of sleep! Unfortunately, trying to sleep during pregnancy can be quite difficult; thankfully, breastfeeding pillows can also be used as an effective sleeping aid for pregnant women.
Many pillows can be used to offer comfort and support to your tummy by either sliding part of the pillow under your stomach while you lie on your side, or by wrapping the pillow around you during the night. There are some products on the market that are designed specifically for this task; generally these items come in the form of a soft wedge that you can slide under your tummy whilst you lie on your side in bed (check out our recommended buys page).
Some of the longer pillows (such as the Dream Genii Support Pillow or the V Nursing Pillow) can go between your legs and rest against your tummy during the night, offering support to your back, knees and stomach. This kind of all round support has proven to be extremely effective for reducing discomfort and encouraging long periods of deep sleep.
When used to offer complete support (as described above) breastfeeding pillows can also offer a number of additional benefits. The pillow discourages you from rolling onto your back - a sleeping position that can restrict blood flow to both mother and baby. Mum is naturally encouraged to sleep in the recovery position, which can encourage baby into the optimal position for birth.
Latest News
Keep up to date
This month we're delighted to have added three new merchants to our "Where to Buy" list of recommended online shops.
JoJo Maman Bebe, Baby's Mart and Baby and Co all stock a selection of breastfeeding pillows, so why not click through and have a browse?
Resources
NHS Breastfeeding Guide - Expert advice on breastfeeding from the NHS.
Breastfeeding Information - A website dedicated to the promotion of breastfeeding.
Kelly Mom - Learn about breastfeeding, sleep and parenting.
Self Expressions - Learn about a variety of breastfeeding support products.
Hale Publishing - Information about breastfeeding books, DVD's and other materials.
The Breastfeeding Friendly Clinic - Breastfeeding advice, assistance and advocacy.
Amazon's Most Popular Nursing Pillow
Support your baby with this comfy breastfeeding pillow
Breastfeeding Pillows
1. Breastfeeding pillows support baby's back and neck whilst feeding.
2. They can also support your back and even help you sleep during pregnancy.
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