Best Breastfeeding Pillows – Comfortable And Functional

Breastfeeding pillows aren’t a must-have for successful feeding. This is something that you’ll discover all by yourself with time, or learn from a lactation consultant. However, there are times when you’ll find these accessories quintessential. Most natural moms use these pillows mainly for the purpose of giving the baby a good latch during feed time. The pillow raises the baby to a comfortable height so you won’t need to hunch over uncomfortably- and it does this without compromising the much-needed skin-to-skin contact. If you are battling a C-section wound, the best breastfeeding pillows for c section can offer heavenly comfort during the recovery period.

It creates a comfortable platform for the baby to lie on and to reach the breasts naturally so you won’t put any strain on your incision, abdominal muscles, shoulders, and upper back. 

A few years ago, nursing pillows came in c-shape only, or what most moms call ‘bobby.’ While it is still the most popular today, there are several other shapes that have sprung over the years in a bid to make the breastfeeding pillow a lot more comfortable and functional. These include the O-shape and crescent shape and others that look like a baby net. 

Mind you, all these shapes have varying comfort levels between different mommas depending on their torso size and height as you’ll find out later in our best breastfeeding pillow buying guide. 

But first, which breastfeeding pillow is best?

Top 10 Breastfeeding Pillows Of 2020 Reviewed

1. My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow

Best Wrap-around Breastfeeding Pillow

This would be our first recommendation for any mom looking for the best nursing pillow for back support. 

The My Brest Friend has a firm flatbed that eliminates any worries of the child rolling out of position with the slightest movement.  

But what most moms rave about it is that it wraps around you thereby eliminating any chances of sliding. Unlike the previous model that used a buckle system, the deluxe version has a Velcro so you can put it on using one hand. 

There’s also a discreet pocket that holds most of your nursing essentials including baby bottles within reach. 

2. Nursing, Breastfeeding Baby Support Pillow

Best Breastfeeding Baby Support Pillow

Are you the mother of a newly born baby? Do you often struggle to hold your baby in a comfortable position during breastfeeding? What you need is the Nursing, Breastfeeding Baby Support Pillow from Golden Linens LLC. It is made from 100 percent polyester filling and a 60 percent polyester and 40 percent bamboo fabric cover. Not only is the pillow comfortable, but it is also soft to the skin. The makers of this pillow had in mind the needs of the mother and baby. That’s why they came up with a pillow that doesn’t cause allergic reactions to the mother or child.

Apart from serving as a breastfeeding pillow, it can also support a baby on the floor. You may use it to train your child to sit up properly. You can also use it to provide nursing support for the child throughout the day. In that case, the baby would have to wear it from morning to evening. Since it is machine washable, cleaning this pillow is extremely easy. You don’t have to spend a lot of money sending it to the dry-cleaner.

3. Twin Z Pillow

Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Twins 

It was exhilarating to see Kevin and Rob of Shark Tank contest aggressively when bidding for the Twin Z pillow back in 2015. What we didn’t know, however, was that the Twin Z was to become one of the best breastfeeding pillows for twins a few years later.

This pillow is large enough to hold twins comfortably when breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. But what makes it worth every buck is that you can also use it as a pregnancy pillow before your baby comes and later use it for nursing, tummy time, and support during sit-ups. 

Unique from other breastfeeding pillows for twins, the Twin Z has a large centerpiece that goes behind your back to offer crucial support. Its arms are also broad so your hands remain supported nicely.

4. Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner

Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Newborns and Toddlers

Known as the world’s first nursing pillow, the Bobby is a versatile model that will welcome your newborn right from the hospital and be with them till their toddlerhood. 

This c-pillow has polyester fillings and a smooth non-itch cotton cover that feels great on your baby’s soft skin as well as your arm. 

Besides lifting the baby for a good latch, the Bobby will also come in handy during tummy time and also act as lounging support. It also offers support when learning how to sit to prevent topping over. 

While both the pillow and cover are machine-washable, there’s a water-resistant protective slipcover in between. Thus, you won’t need to throw the entire pillow in the machine every time. 

5. Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow

Best Organic Breastfeeding Pillow

Our next pick for these best breastfeeding pillow reviews in 2019 might be a great choice if your child has sensitive skin. 

This crescent-shaped pillow is made here in the USA and its cover is 100% organic cover. Most moms and dads report that it is smooth and non-itchy- a combination that you’ll want for your child’s sensitivity. 

A unique feature about the Nesting pillow is its organic buckwheat fillings. This filling allows you to create a perfect nursing position for the baby by shifting the contents. That’s to say that this pillow will fit most moms’ and babies’ individual preferences differently. 

6. Infantino Elevate Adjustable Nursing Pillow

Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Football Hold

The football hold is the most comfortable nursing position for moms who’ve had a c-section according to Parents.com. And going by the same magazine, the Infantino is one of the best nursing pillows for this position. 

This pillow’s most outstanding feature is its unique, multi-layered flip design that allows you to adjust the height from neutral to moderate or maximum elevation. This versatility lets you choose a hold that works best for you and your baby from Cradle and Cross, to Clutch or Football, and Upright or Angled positions. 

Mind you, the Upright position offers a really good hold for kiddos struggling with reflux. So, if you are looking for the best breastfeeding pillow for reflux, this one might be it too. 

7. Leachco Cuddle-U Basic Nursing Pillow

Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Feeding and Reflux 

The Leachco is a very popular nursing pillow at the moment- and it’s not hard to see why. This model incorporates a c-shape pillow and an adjustable seat wrap that folds and tucks away inside a concealed pocket underneath one side of the pillow. 

This construction design makes a great pillow for easing muscle strain for mom, and can also be used as a lounger for the baby. Its versatility does not end there, though. As your child grows, the Leachco becomes a go-to support pillow for tummy time and sit-ups. Actually, it will also make an incredible travel pillow for mom or dad once the baby stops using it. 

8. Lansinoh Nursie Breastfeeding Pillow

Best Breastfeeding Pillow for C-section

If you fear that a c-shaped pillow might put a lot of pressure around your C-section incision (that is if you delivered this way), the Lansinoh Nursie might offer a great solution. 

This model is different from other pillows that we’ve seen so far in that you slide your arm into it as opposed to wrapping it around your waist. 

The good thing about this pillow is its universal size that fits all moms and newborns. Precisely, you won’t need to worry about the pillow being either too small or too big for a comfortable latch. 

The Lansinoh Nursie has a soft surface for the baby’s excellent comfort, and it’s fully machine-washable for easy cleaning. 

We are also great fans of its small size. The fact that it can fit in most diaper bags makes it a perfect breastfeeding pillow for travels.

9. Luna Lullaby Bosom Baby Nursing Pillow

Best L-shaped Breastfeeding Pillow

The Luna Lullaby is yet another great option for moms who can’t imagine forcing a tight c-shaped nursing pillow around their cesarean incision. Its L-shaped design also makes it a recommendable option if you want a pillow that is super easy to use. 

Compared to other breastfeeding pillows here, the Luna Lullaby Bosom has a broader surface. This broad design allows you to position the baby in multiple positions without being unnecessarily bulky. 

Is it firm? Well, it has a good firmness to it albeit not as firm as the My Brest Friend Deluxe. The Luna is cushy and this means that you can also lounge on it during rest and even use it for tummy time. 

This pillow has a super-soft plush cover, and it’s usable from either side which adds to its ease of use.

10. All American Collection Nursing Pillow

Best Soft Breastfeeding Pillow

The first thing of this pillow that grabbed our attention was its bamboo and polyester blend cover. This combination makes the American Collection a great choice for moms and dads with allergies or whose infants have sensitive skin. 

The fillings are 100% polyester thereby making this one of the softest nursing pillows that we reviewed here. This cloud-like feeling offers a soothing experience for finicky infants. Unfortunately, it also makes the pillow overly soft for heavy babies. 

Another interesting feature that most previous users highlight is its ease of cleaning. The All American Collection goes in the washing machine and dries fast while still retaining its shape.

How to Choose the Best Breastfeeding Pillows: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Fit 

Cuteness is perhaps the first thing that you might want to look at when choosing a nursing pillow. However, while this also matters, any experienced mom will tell you that fit comes first, all the time. 

A good pillow should fit comfortably around your waist and stay put for the entire feeding session. If it requires regular adjustments, then it is either too tight or too wobbly. The chances are that it will also cause the baby to roll away from you or belly up which you don’t want. If possible, try several pillows in a store near you to see how they fit. 

Width

Something else that most people forget to consider is the width of the pillow. Ideally, you want a pillow that is broad enough to offer a resting zone for your arm on the sides. 

Shape – Why Does it Matter?

The c-shaped pillows are the most popular- and for a couple of reasons. Besides being affordable, c-shaped nursing pillows are multifunctional in that you can travel with them and even use it to support the baby when he/she is learning to sit. 

Crescent-shaped pillows are modified versions of c pillows and are also considerably affordable. The main differences that crescent pillows offer are their relatively broader mid-section and tapered ends. 

O-shaped breastfeeding pillows wrap all around your waist. Depending on the brand and design, the pillow may be in the form of a c- or crescent-shape with an included strap or a full pillow that goes all the way around you. 

These pillows tend to offer the best fit and stability since the strap is adjustable according to your waist size. Most of them also feature a backrest that you’ll really like especially if you find yourself placing a regular pillow at your lower back for support. 

There are a lot of other shapes in the market from boomerang- that makes the best breastfeeding pillows for plus size moms to 3-shaped pillows that are ideal for twins. 

Texture and Firmness 

These 2 aspects are largely determined by the construction materials and the amount of filling. Generally, you want a pillow that is firm enough so the child won’t sink all the way down and end up struggling to latch.

In addition, ensure that the material used for the surface of the pillow is smooth and non-itchy, not rough and scratchy. 

Height of the Pillow 

The loft of the pillow is yet another very important aspect that you should never ignore. The essence of a breastfeeding pillow is to bridge the gap between your laps and breasts so you won’t have to hunch over. 

Thus, your ideal height of the breastfeeding pillow will depend on the size of the baby coupled with the distance between your laps and nipples. 

Ease of Cleaning 

Believe me, the nursing pillow will require a whole lot of cleaning once your bundle of joy gets a good hold of it. From spit-ups to spills and diaper messes, you really need a pillow that won’t be hellish to get clean. 

Luckily, most of the best breastfeeding pillows in 2019 have a removable cover to make cleaning easy. Another consideration here is how easy it is to put the pillow back into the cover after drying. 

Conclusion 

In as much as we claim to have identified the 10 best breastfeeding pillows for 2019, it’s difficult to pick just one and crown it as the best overall. This is because your choice for these good-to-have nursing accessories depends on your personal preferences plus your baby’s feeding behavior and needs. 

The most difficult part when buying a pillow for breastfeeding is determining the right firmness level more so if you are shopping online. 

While there isn’t a standard firmness level for breastfeeding pillows, most models tend to be medium-firm but a little bit more on the firmer side. The essence here is to ensure that the baby doesn’t sink too much into the pillow thereby forcing you to lean forward. 

We really recommend trying out a few breastfeeding pillows (for instance, from a store or friends’) before purchasing one. This is a great way of ensuring that both the mom and baby will reap the benefits that they are seeking from the pillow. 

If that’s not possible, though, then you want to consider a popular model from one of the best breastfeeding pillow brands such as Boppy, Blessed Nest, Infatino, and Leachco among others.