Nursing pillows: types, characteristics, use

The birth of a new family member involves the purchase of various useful accessories, things, and supplies. They greatly facilitate the process of caring for the baby. A nursing pillow for an infant can be such a useful purchase. It will relieve the young mother of discomfort, help improve the child’s nutrition, and provide all the conditions for a speedy recovery after childbirth. This is not just a beautiful thing, but a necessity for every mother.

It is necessary to purchase a special pillow to make breastfeeding as comfortable as possible for mother and baby.

More information about the useful functions of a pillow, its types, and selection features is described in this publication.

Kinds

There are several options for nursing pillows

Classification feature	Varieties	a brief description of
Form	crescent	Classic shape. Most often it is purchased during pregnancy. Helps organize a comfortable vacation.
letter C	Convenient form for feeding the baby during the first six months. Then it is used as a useful accessory during games and training.
horseshoe	This form is popular among parents of twins. This product can easily accommodate two small people.
Functionality	classic model	Does not require additional accessories or compartments. It is relatively inexpensive.
with straps	The model with straps is considered the most practical and safe. It provides freedom of movement for the nurse. The straps are fixed behind your back, free your hands, and make it possible not to waste time and do several things at the same time.
with pockets	This baby feeding accessory will be indispensable on the road. It has several compartments and a pocket for storing children's accessories. Usually they contain diapers, creams, and other care products. This helps make caring for your baby while traveling much easier.
Filler	foam rubber	This is the cheapest filler. Used in the production of budget models. Foam rubber is safe for the health of the child. However, it does not guarantee maximum relaxation. The foam rubber is a little springy and compresses under load.
holofiber	Holofiber is characterized by an affordable price. The filler is environmentally friendly and practical. But there is one significant drawback - fragility. The material quickly loses its properties and shape. It can only last for a short time.
polystyrene balls	Balls are considered the most optimal filler option. They are light and elastic. The product with balls easily adapts to the curves of the body. It has excellent orthopedic properties. Over time, the balls will begin to arouse the baby's interest. By sorting through them, he will begin to develop fine motor skills. This is a definite plus of the filler. There is only one downside - parents will have to constantly monitor the condition of the case. If there are holes, the baby will have the opportunity to get the balls out and swallow them. For safety reasons, the product must have several covers at the same time.
fluff, wool	Natural fillers have many advantages. However, they should not be used for children. In infants, wool and fluff can cause severe allergic reactions. However, there are still important disadvantages - the ban on washing. A small child will often get the roller dirty. Not everyone has the opportunity to take a cover to the dry cleaner every time.

Types of pillows

The stores offer feeding accessories produced by domestic and foreign companies. The main parameters by which a product is classified are the type of material, appearance, and shape. There is a wide range of devices, so choosing the right one is easy. The following options are common:

U-shape – the product can be wrapped around a woman. It is permissible to use not only during feeding, but also during pregnancy.
I-shape – in terms of parameters, including length, it corresponds to a person’s height.
C-shape - the device can support a woman’s belly during pregnancy and allows the baby to be positioned comfortably during feeding.
G-shape – reduces stress by supporting a woman’s neck. The shape allows you to relax the spine during feeding.

For comfort during feeding, these accessories have a soft base inside. At the same time, the devices maintain rigidity, which prevents the product from losing its shape, providing the necessary relaxation.

Orthopedic products also differ in filler material:

Fybertek - the filler is extremely soft, which is why the device does not hold its shape well.
Sintepon is a soft material that can be washed, ventilated and dried. The product includes a removable cover that can be replaced later.
Buckwheat is a natural filler with high wear resistance. The product maintains its shape, is rigid and elastic. Buckwheat accessories cannot be washed, only aired. A removable cover is included, which can be replaced later.
Hollow fiber - elasticity is seriously inferior to solid fillers, extremely soft.
Microballs – filler fraction size up to 1.5 mm, guaranteeing pleasant sensations for women and children, providing a relaxing effect.
Polystyrene balls are a filler consisting of spherical fractions that, upon contact, produce a calming, quiet sound. The filler, like microbeads, has a relaxing effect upon tactile contact.

To select the right, suitable product, you need to pay attention to its dimensions. Manufacturers offer to purchase models whose length varies from 1.2 m to 2 m.

Quick Start Guide

The most important question that concerns mothers is how to use a nursing pillow correctly? The method of operation will depend on the purpose being pursued. To relieve the lower back of a pregnant woman, the product should be placed on a sofa (chair) with both ends on top. You can lean your back in the middle. Then wrap the ends around your waist. This position will relieve stress and relax the spine.

Multifunctionality of nursing pillows

For healthy sleep, you need to buy a long accessory. The roller needs to be clamped with your knees, placed under your stomach and head. Thus, the pillow encircles the entire body, providing maximum comfort. The effect of it will be noticeable on the first day after application at night. The roller is recommended for use not only by pregnant women. It is useful for any people suffering from spinal diseases and sleep disorders.

Place the pillow in the correct position based on your needs

How to use a nursing pillow? The accessory can be used directly for feeding a baby in several ways.

The first is sitting, when the baby is facing the mother. The bolster is worn around the waist. The wide part is where the child sits. When feeding, you need to lightly hold him by the back.

The second method is from under the hand. In this case, the pose will correspond to the natural one. Instead of the mother's hand, the baby is placed on the wide part of the cushion. If desired, the roller can be secured with straps or ties.

The third way is lying down. This is ideal for late-night snacks. The pillow is placed in front of the nurse. The baby is placed on its wide part. At the same time, the mother's hands remain free.

Feeding the baby in different positions with and without a pillow

This is just a small part of the ways in which a young mother can feed her baby. In practice, each person independently determines the most comfortable position for himself.

Benefits of a pillow for mother and baby

Special pillows make feeding the baby easier for the mother - the woman is in a comfortable position, the process is natural and effective. The products have many positive aspects, the main ones are:

It is convenient to place the body of an infant on a pillow - he will not fall.
With the help of the device, the mother’s muscles of the back, neck, and arms are relieved.
Using the product allows you to avoid deterioration of posture and associated back and neck pain.
The accessory ensures the correct position of the baby while he is attached to the mother's breast.
When using a nursing pillow, two newborns, twins or twins can be fed at the same time.
During sleep, the pillow can be placed at the edge of the bed, which will prevent the child from falling.
The product can be used as additional support when the child grows up and learns to sit.

A woman should decide which orthopedic pillow for nursing mothers and pregnant women to choose based on her own comfort and safety for the child. But, after lactation is completed, the accessory remains functional - it is used to teach a child to sit, do light gymnastics, and use it for games that develop motor skills.

DIY nursing pillow for twins

Things like nursing pillows should be strictly individual. If you cannot purchase it, you can make it yourself. The shape of the accessory for breastfeeding twins differs little in shape from the product for one child. The main characteristic is size. The recommended shape is U-shaped, but in some cases W-shaped is preferred. When making a U-shaped accessory for twins, you need to follow these instructions:

Pattern of the upper and lower parts of the cover. According to the pattern, there should be 4 identical parts with a length of at least 85 cm. The width of the narrow edge on the long side is 32 cm, and the width at the place where the sides are sewn together is 28 cm.
Additionally, you need to cut out the parts for thickness. They are made to fit the top and bottom sides. The height of each of them is at least 10 cm.
When sewing all the parts together, leave a hole to fill the resulting case with the selected filler, for example, foam rubber or holofiber. After filling, the hole is closed from the outside.

Before starting work on cutting out parts of the pillow for hot water, you need to add seam allowances of about 1-1.5 cm on each side, otherwise the parts will not fit together in the product. Mothers who have large breasts should reduce the thickness, otherwise increase it to make it more comfortable.

Feeding a newborn is an important process in which the mother must be comfortable. Pillows of various sizes and configurations are made for breastfeeding, so every woman has a choice. But, when determining the best option, it is not recommended to save money, since high-quality products made from hypoallergenic materials are more expensive than their analogues.

Various fillers

A pillow for feeding an infant can have different fillings, but the best choice is hypoallergenic and breathable.

Foam rubber. The products are budget-friendly, but not suitable for use by a young mother. Foam rubber quickly loses its previous shape, the pillow does not provide the necessary support.
Polystyrene, holofiber. This is an artificial non-woven material. It is considered a fairly good filler and has a low cost. The product is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. The pillow is able to envelop the body and follow its contours. After use, it quickly restores its shape. However, the material is not durable, so it is suitable for short-term use.
Theraline. Similar to the previous material, but more modern. It consists of small balls, but does not rustle. The advantage of the filler is good body support and increased wear resistance. Similar products are more expensive.
Polystyrene foam balls. The quality is not inferior to latex products, they are comfortable for active use. The material is airy, so the nursing pillow made from it is gentle and soft. At the same time, it literally envelops mother and baby, but guarantees the necessary elasticity. Among the disadvantages is the rustling of the balls, which can interfere with sleep. Also, the material is not durable, the balls shrink over time, and the product loses its original appearance.
Buckwheat husk. The pillow is comfortable and has a lot of positive reviews. It is comfortable for the mother to place her baby on it for feeding, because he does not sink into the soft filler. However, buckwheat creates a characteristic noise that can disturb and distract a sensitive infant. Also, this pillow is not suitable for sleeping.
Latex. Considered the best choice. The filler springs well and creates the necessary softness and elasticity. Latex is completely harmless and does not require special care. The material is durable, so the pillow will not lose its shape with active use for a long time. However, the products are expensive.

You should not buy down or feather pillows for feeding newborns. Natural filler has undeniable advantages, but can cause an allergic reaction in the baby. The wool option is also not recommended because lumps often form in such a pillow. In addition, such a product cannot be washed.

Information for craftswomen

A self-made nursing pillow will take an equally honorable place in a woman’s life and will not require much effort and materials. To make it you will need:

About 2.5 meters of fabric that will act as a pillowcase. It is better to use linen or calico.
For fixation you will need a zipper, ties or hooks with Velcro. You can use buttons, but the baby may accidentally tear them off.
Filler that is not afraid of washing. Expanded polystyrene fillers would be the best choice. Synthetic winterizer, down, fur or wool are not recommended for use.
Scissors, thread and needles.
Sewing machine.

Next, two identically shaped pieces of fabric are cut out. You can choose U-shape or C-shape. Their sizes should correspond to the mother’s height.

Both pieces must be stitched at the inner edge, not forgetting to leave room for the filler. Next, the cover is turned inside out and the filler is filled evenly. The edges of the remaining hole are stitched by hand.

After this, you need to sew the pillowcase according to the same principle as the cover. It is also necessary to leave a hole, but a larger one, so that the pillow can be easily inserted into the pillowcase. Next, a zipper is sewn in, ties are sewn on, or buttons are sewn on.

A hand-sewn pillow will please you no less than a purchased one, but it will bring much more positive emotions.

Rating of the best pillows

Manufacturers of products for pregnant women and children offer a fairly extensive selection of nursing pillows. All varieties differ in shape, size and materials from which they are made. The most popular types are shaped like the letter “C”, due to greater ease of use and versatility in the number of children - you can feed one or two. According to the rating, the following names are distinguished:

Milk Rivers nursing pillows for one child and Milk Rivers Twins nursing pillows made in Russia from foam rubber and cotton. The price starts from 2000 rubles.
Velina nursing pillows are polyester foam filling with a cotton surface, made in Russia. Suitable for use during pregnancy and pregnancy. Price from 2000 rubles.
“Nanny” nursing pillows from the Russian manufacturer Globex, made of knitted material with foam filling. The price of the product is from 700 rubles.
Nursing pillows are made of hypoallergenic material with Velcro fastening. The kit includes a carrying case. The cost starts from 1200 rubles.
Born Free nursing pillows made of cotton with polyester filling, made in Israel, are made in a multi-level version to change the height. The cost starts from 5,000 rubles.
Chicco nursing pillows are quite common, the Chicco feeding pillow model is especially attractive: boppi. The price for these products starts at 1,700 rubles.
Emma Jane nursing pillows have a universal shape, which allows you to adapt the selected product to suit you. The cost of products starts from 5,000 rubles.
Bebe au Lait nursing pillows are made in a double-sided version, where one side is hard and the other is soft and plush. The price of products starts at 3,500 rubles.
My Brest Friend nursing pillows are made of hypoallergenic materials using cotton and plush. The price of products starts from 2000 rubles.

When purchasing, it is recommended to check the quality certificate and carefully check the conformity of the product. This is due to the prevalence of counterfeits for such groups of goods. If the product looks suspicious, it is better to refuse the purchase and look for a suitable accessory elsewhere.

Why is it better to feed newborns while sitting?

One of the most important stages of raising, caring for and communicating with a baby at an early age is breastfeeding. All neonatologists and pediatricians talk about the unconditional benefits of such natural feeding. It is no coincidence that in order to restore psychological balance and establish close contact between mother and child, a newborn is put to the breast in the delivery room.

There are many positions for feeding a baby, they are not chosen by chance, it all depends on the intensity of milk production, the size of the breasts and nipples, the age of the child and even the time of day. However, the so-called “cradle” position remains the most popular and most comfortable. During feeding, the mother sits with her back resting on the back of a chair or sofa, the baby lies horizontally in her arms, with her tummy turned towards the mother's body. This position reduces the load on the adult’s spine and provides comfort to the child.

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