Best Nursing Pillows

By Amanda Lasater •

Mar 26th, 2021 •

Take it from every mother who has ever used a nursing pillow – they are an absolute necessity! It is one of the few baby products that you will get far more than your money’s worth in use. Think about it, you will be using your nursing pillow for numerous hours, day after day, for months. It will save you from having to deal with back, neck, and shoulder pain, it will help you find comfort and relax, and it will help get your milk flowing. And, in addition to those benefits, your baby will be ultra-comfy too!

All of this comes with a pretty small price tag – especially when you realize how valuable nursing pillows are for a new mother. With the demand so high for these miracle pillows, the market has been overrun with nursing pillows; all of which claim to be the best breastfeeding pillow out there.

Well, we’ve found the four that truly can say that they are the best nursing pillows on the market. Check out our picks to help you find the perfect breastfeeding pillow and never worry about discomfort while breastfeeding again!

The 4 Best Nursing Pillows

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Best Design

My Brest Friend Original Nursing Posture Pillow

My Brest Friend is known as the ultimate producer of quality nursing pillows. Their Original Nursing Pillow was developed in a laboratory of breastfeeding moms, babies, and breastfeeding experts whose one goal was to create a nursing pillow that addressed all the needs of nursing moms and babies. After going through 50 prototypes, the My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow was born! The wrap around pillow secures to the body to help mom and baby maintain a comfortable position and latch-on.

It features a firm, flat cushion that prevents your baby from rolling while nursing. It has an adjustable, silent-release strap that fits moms or dads without any irritation and will unlatch without making a sound. The nursing pillow also incorporates arm and elbow cushions to prevent any shoulder strain. It features a convenient side pocket that keeps your nursing accessories, burp clothes, water bottle, phone, etc. within reach. Finally, the Original Nursing Pillow by My Brest Friend comes in 18 different slipcover patterns and colors, which can be easily removed and washed.

Most Versatile

Boppy Bare Naked Nursing Pillow and Positioner

The Boppy Bare Naked Nursing Pillow is known by many as a nursery must-have. It is a breastfeeding pillow that has been a household name for the past 30 years due to its simple yet effective design. The Boppy Bare Naked Pillow elevates your baby to an ergonomic position that allows for a feeding that is comfortable for both parent and baby. The pillow’s design allows for arm and shoulder support of the parent nursing the baby, which prevents strain and constant repositioning.

In addition, its versatile design allows the use of this pillow in many different applications as your baby grows. From 0 months on, it is the perfect pillow to bond with your newborn while you breastfeed or bottle feed them. At 3 months, the Boppy can be used as a lounger by simply propping them in between the pillow’s arms. At 6 months, your baby is going to start kicking and flailing their little arms and feet – this is the perfect time to use the Boppy Pillow for tummy time. And, once they start sitting up at around 9 months, the Boppy Pillow is the perfect companion to lend support and balance and prevent any topples. Unlike the Boppy Original, the Boppy Bare Naked comes undressed without a slip cover. Then, you simply put on a Boppy Water-Resistant Protective Slipcover for protection and dress it up with one of the stylish Boppy Pillow Covers.

Most Cute

Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner

The Original Boppy Nursing Pillow was created by a mother in 1989 to solve a frustrating problem she was having while trying to breastfeed her child. Some of the mothers at her daughter’s daycare saw the pillow and asked her to sew them some – and the Boppy Pillow quickly took off. Thirty years later, the Boppy Nursing Pillow is still one of the most purchased and used nursing pillows.

The Original Boppy Pillow lifts your baby to an ergonomic position that allows for a comfortable feeding. The pillow also supports your baby as they grow, providing them with the perfect spot for tummy time, playing, propping, or just hanging out. The position that parent and baby take when using the Boppy helps the two bond comfortably while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. The pillow also provides relief for your arms and back to prevent you from suffering from soreness and pain. It comes covered in an adorable cotton slip cover that is easily removed and machine washable.

Most Comfortable

My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow for Comfortable Posture

My Brest Friend took the breastfeeding community by storm with their release of the Original Nursing Pillow, so when they came out with this upgraded version, it is no surprise that the breastfeeding community went nuts again. The My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow shares many of the same features that the Original has, but they’ve upgraded it in some seriously important places.

The nursing pillow still utilizes a full wrap around design that secures mom or dad into the pillow and helps you and your baby maintain the ideal positioning for latch-on. This wrap around design combined with the firm, flat cushioning both help to prevent your baby from rolling around. The raised back support ensures that you maintain a good posture during feeding – something that is critical when attempting to prevent strain and soreness in the neck and back. The arm and elbow supports eliminate shoulder and arm stress and the convenient pocket allows you to keep accessories and nursing supplies in easy reach. As for the upgrades, the Deluxe version uses an extra soft, baby-plush fabric that is super cuddly to the touch. This new slipcover also stays fresh and soft longer than the cover on the Original. Also, the strap from the original pillow was replaced with a double-featured Velcro strap that can be silently released with one hand to prevent waking up your baby.

How to Choose the Best Nursing Pillow

Holding your baby for hours on end, every day, can start to take a toll on your shoulders and back. To save you from a hunched back and strained shoulders, moms invented nursing pillows.

The best nursing pillows snuggle up around your abs and effortlessly lift your baby up to the perfect ergonomic height for breastfeeding or bottle feeding. When you don’t have to worry about constantly reposition during feeding time or deal with strains and soreness, you can actually relax during the feeding – which is exactly what you should be doing.

Feeding time should be a time for bonding between a parent and a baby, but when you can’t sit still for long enough or you’re in pain, bonding is not what is going to happen. And, let’s face it, pregnancy was work, you deserve some bonding time with your newborn.

Here are a few things to focus on when shopping for the best nursing pillow:

Size. There are a few sizes of pillows out there today. Some moms want a compact pillow that is perfect for travel nursing and easy to pack for trips. Others like a larger nursing pillow that provides their baby with a wide spot to lie on during feeding time. Also, there is a twin nursing pillow that was created specifically for moms of twins or multiples.
Slip Covers. Some nursing pillows don’t have removable slip covers. We recommend a slip cover so that you can throw it in the wash when spills or spit-ups happen (because they will). Make sure you get a spare slip cover to use when the other is in the wash. Slip covers also give you a chance to choose the look of your nursing pillow.
Budget. Go ahead and decide how much you are willing to spend on your nursing pillow. While we don’t recommend shopping above your means, remember that you will be using this pillow a lot and it is going to be worth whatever you put into it.
Style. There are about a million different colors and prints when it comes to the fabric that your nursing pillow is going to be wrapped in. Think about whether you want to do a solid color or if you have a specific print in mind. Also, some pillows will come with softer, more plush covers.

FAQs

What is the ideal nursing pillow?

While this will depend somewhat on your preferences, the ideal nursing pillow should provide a comfortable breastfeeding position for both mom and baby. It should be supportive, easy to use, easy to clean, and made of safe, durable materials. Remember the primary function of a nursing pillow is to provide positioning for a healthy latch.

How much do nursing pillows cost?

On average, nursing pillows cost between $25 and $50. You can get a monogrammed cover or an ultra-plush pillow, which will cost somewhere around $60 – $70. However, if you desire a twin nursing pillow or an organic nursing pillow, then you are going to spend upwards of $100.

How often should I wash my nursing pillow’s slip cover?

We recommend washing your slip cover any time that a spill or spit-up occurs, but no less than once a week. Make sure you follow the wash instructions that were provided with your nursing pillow and always have one extra slip cover to use during washes.

Conclusion

Purchasing a nursing pillow will be one of the best purchases you make as a new parent. Use the information we’ve provided to find the perfect breastfeeding pillow for you and your baby and start your feedings off in comfort.

Best Nursing Pillows

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