How to use your Breastfeeding Pillow

Last updated: 14 May 2023

Ways to use your Breastfeeding Pillow

So you have chosen your breastfeeding pillow. Now you will want to know how to use your nursing pillow properly to get the most benefit out of it for you and your baby.

You can move your pillow around to support the position you are feeding your baby in. Depending on the type of pillow you chose, this might mean moving your pillow around when swapping from side to side. Here are tips for different feeding positions.

Watch our video below to see some demonstrations on how to use your breastfeeding pillow to maximise its potential.

Using your nursing pillow in the cradle hold

The cradle hold is the most common breastfeeding position and is used for both breast and bottle feeding. But anyone who has fed a baby will know that holding your baby in this position for a long period of time will be uncomfortable or painful. A good supportive breastfeeding pillow will help prevent soreness from carrying the weight of your baby on one arm.

Positioning the pillow in the cradle hold

Place the pillow across your lap and if it has a higher end, position this on the side you are feeding. This will ensure that you can lift your baby’s head as close to the breast as possible and prevent you from slouching. This will help you to prevent back, shoulder and neck pain while feeding.

Bring your baby into the cradle of your arm on their side, with your baby’s tummy snug against your own and your arm around your baby’s back. The pillow should be positioned so that it is supporting your arm and taking the weight of the baby rather than allowing you to be carrying the weight of the baby alone.

Clutch or Football hold

In this position, place the pillow under the arm on whichever side you will be feeding from. If your pillow has a higher end, you will want this end to be positioned at the breast end under your baby’s head to ensure that you can lift their head as close to the breast as possible.

Place your baby onto the pillow with their head near your breast while bringing their tummy up close against your side. Place your hand from the pillow side, under your baby’s head for support and your arm along their back. Your baby’s legs and feet should be tucked under the arm with their hips flexed.

Benefits of the clutch hold

This is a great position for mum’s who have had Caesarean births as it keeps the baby away from the incision. For mum’s that have a fast let down, this position can also help the baby to control the flow more easily.

For any mum who wants to express milk on the other breast while feeding, the football hold using a single or wedge nursing pillow, gives you more space to use your expressing equipment while feeding.

Feeding twins or two babies using a twin nursing pillow

Breastfeeding pillows designed for feeding twins tend to be U-shaped or almost circular and have ties or clips so you can clip them around your waist to prevent them slipping while you are supporting two babies.

When feeding twins at the same time with a twin pillow, the football hold is the easiest method to use as the pillows are designed so you have support on either side.  Follow the instructions above for the football hold positioning if feeding two babies at one time.

Twin nursing pillows can also be used for singletons for mum’s who prefer a larger pillow.

Using a breastfeeding pillow while bottle feeding

Breastfeeding and nursing pillows can also be used for bottle feeding, you don’t have to be exclusively breastfeeding.

When bottle feeding lay the pillow in your lap as for the cradle hold. Use the pillow to support your elbow as you cradle your baby’s head and hold your arm behind their back.

You may find the best choice of pillow for bottle feeding is a wedge pillow with one end higher than the other. This way you can keep your baby’s head on a slight incline while feeding, which can be especially helpful for babies who suffer from reflux.

Milkbar Feeding Pillow is also great to support your belly during pregnancy.