Nursing pillows are an essential tool for new moms, providing comfort and support during breastfeeding sessions. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. However, investing in a quality nursing pillow can make a huge difference in your breastfeeding journey.
When searching for the perfect nursing pillow, consider factors such as size, shape, support, and material. Look for a pillow that fits comfortably around your midsection and offers enough support for both you and your baby. Additionally, easy-to-clean materials and an affordable price point are also important factors to consider.
To help you make the best choice, we’ve compiled a list of the top nursing pillows on the market. From versatile designs to high-quality materials, these nursing pillows offer the support and comfort you need to make breastfeeding a breeze.
It’s important to remember that the nursing pillows featured in this guide are not intended for use as sleep surfaces for infants. According to safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the only safe place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet, or playard (1).
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Nursing Pillow: Boppy Nursing Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Breastfeeding: My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Large Breasts: NuAngel Trinity II Nursing Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Football Hold: Infantino Elevate
- Best Nursing Pillow For Travel: My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Plus Size Mom: The Nesting Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Petite Mom: Borje 45° Angle Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Twins: My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow for Twins
- Best Nursing Pillow For Long Torso: Ergobaby Breastfeeding Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For C-Section: Boppy Anywhere Nursing Pillow
- Best Nursing Pillow For Back Pain: Frida Mom Adjustable Nursing Pillow
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Nursing Pillows Picks
Boppy Nursing Pillow – Best Overall Nursing Pillow
- Cute cover options
- Water-resistant
- Comfy for a mom with a small waist
- Comfy for baby to sit in or for tummy time
- Not made for a larger midsection
When it comes to feeding your infant, the Boppy Original Feeding and Infant Support Pillow is a must-have for parents. Not only does it provide ergonomic support during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, but it’s also flexible enough to promote your baby’s development throughout their first year of life.
Starting from supervised awake time after birth, the pillow can be used for propping up your baby (after 3 months), tummy time (after 6 months), and sitting (after 9 months) milestones.
The Boppy pillow can be wrapped around your waist to provide optimal support for your preferred feeding technique, whether it’s a cradle, cross cradle, football hold, or bottle feeding. The pillow cover is also easy to remove and can be washed in a machine, making it a convenient choice for busy parents.
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My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Breastfeeding
- Nice sturdy pillow to lay your baby on
- Adjustable velcro clasp
- Lumbar support
- Loop to hold the zipper shut
- Need to put the bag it came in under the cover to keep the foam clean from spit-up and other spills. You can wash the cover, but not the foam
Providing excellent posture support, this nursing pillow is ideal for both breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Its wrap-around design conforms to the body, providing the necessary support to mom and baby for the correct positioning and latch. Unlike crescent- and U-shaped nursing pillows, this pillow eliminates the gap between you and the baby, preventing the baby from slipping in or out while breastfeeding.
Thanks to its superior cushion technology, this pillow also helps to reduce back, neck, and arm pain during nursing or feeding. The soft and luxurious cover of the pillow has a convenient pocket that can hold burp rags, water bottles, and other breastfeeding essentials. Additionally, the pillow and cover are machine washable for easy cleaning.
NuAngel Trinity II Nursing Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Large Breasts
- The back support is good
- Portable and easy to wash
- Good pillow to use while breastfeeding
- Very comfortable
- When the baby spits up on the pillow the whole pillow needs to be washed
The Trinity II Nursing Pillow from NuAngel, in addition to being lightweight and portable, boasts a distinctive non-constricting curve and narrower end that provides customized support. The pillow’s inclination may aid in reducing acid reflux and enhancing comfort for your infant. Furthermore, it can be adjusted to fit different nursing positions and support various body parts.
To make it easier for you, the nursing positions are printed on both the cushion and the packaging. The 100% natural cotton flannel cover is gentle on the baby’s skin and comes with a zipper-less pillowcase made of the same material. Even after being washed, dried, and stored, the pillows maintain their form.
Infantino Elevate – Best Nursing Pillow For Football Hold
- Works for tall moms
- Easy to clean as it just goes in the washer and then the dryer
- Fits small babies and large
- It’s wide, so baby won’t slide off the pillow
- Material is not the softest but it’s acceptable
This adjustable breastfeeding cushion is a versatile and practical tool for new mothers. Elevating your baby to breast height enables you to achieve the perfect latch with ease. The cushion’s unique layering offers three different height options, allowing you to adjust it as your baby grows and develops. Whether you prefer to nurse your child in a cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, or by your side (football or clutch hold), this cushion’s adjustable design makes it easy to find a comfortable position.
Not only does this breastfeeding pillow help you achieve a proper latch, but it also promotes better feeding posture, reducing strain on your neck, back, and arms. Its multi-layered construction provides comfortable support for your baby, making feeding sessions more enjoyable for both of you.
My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Travel
- Easy to inflate
- The cover is easy enough to put on
- It attaches to itself
- Comfortable to wear
- The pocket is a bit difficult to use
When it comes to nursing and bottle feeding while traveling, this pillow is a top choice for parents. It not only helps maintain good posture during feeding but also reduces pressure on the back, neck, and arms.
Designed to be lightweight and portable, it can be easily packed for overnight stays or flights, and can even fit in a handbag or diaper bag. Unlike many other nursing pillows, this one utilizes advanced cushion technology to eliminate the gap between you and your baby, ensuring that they won’t slip out of position. Plus, it features a backrest that supports your posture, reducing the risk of back or neck pain.
The Nesting Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Plus Size Mom
- It’s made of all-natural, organic materials
- Half moon shape is actually really nice and wraps around you snugly
- Nice and thick
- The cover is really easy to remove, wash and put back on
- It’s heavy, so if you’ve had a c-section or are just really sore it’s pretty hard to lift for the first few days of healing
The Nesting Pillow is a popular choice among new mothers who prioritize natural and allergy-free products near their baby’s skin. Its unique organic buckwheat hull filling allows for easy customization of the pillow’s shape to fit the needs of each mother and child.
Once the ideal position is found, the pillow’s pyramid-like hulls interconnect to maintain that position. The breathable stuffing promotes air circulation, keeping both mother and baby cool and comfortable.
Cleaning is also a breeze thanks to the easily detachable slipcover made from pre-washed and dried fabric, capable of withstanding multiple washings.
Borje 45° Angle Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Petite Mom
- The pillow is very soft
- The cover comes off and is washable
- Makes breastfeeding easy
- Cute design
- The material is a bit scratchy
This nursing pillow softly supports your baby while they feed or relax, freeing up your hands for conversation. The pillow is filled with hypoallergenic materials that provide gentle support, replacing traditional down fillings.
With the inner microfiber cover, the entire cushion can be machine washed and dried for easy cleaning. Moreover, the outer soft jacquard air cloth cover can be removed when necessary. You can use either side of the pillow, and the high-quality zipper is always covered to ensure your baby’s skin never touches it.
This nursing pillow is perfect for a variety of activities, such as nursing, bottle feeding, tummy time, and back time, and even to provide support when the baby learns to sit up. Additionally, the baby lounger allows you to gently cradle your baby as they spend more time awake.
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow for Twins – Best Nursing Pillow For Twins
- It’s nice and large; both babies fit comfortably
- It has a nice firm surface that keeps babies head from sinking down
- The cover is soft and comfortable and the color is nice
- Easy to adjust
- The Velcro is a bit loud
My Brest Friend breastfeeding support cushion is designed to provide mothers with the comfort and confidence they need to position themselves and their babies for successful breastfeeding and nursing. The roomy design of this cushion enables easy support for both twins while breastfeeding. Moreover, it is scratch-proof, anti-reflective, and dust-free, making it a practical choice for any new parent.
For added convenience, this cushion comes with a pouch where you can store your maternity essentials. It fits most sizes and snugly wraps around your body, offering the perfect posture to provide you and your baby with optimal support. The firm backrest also helps promote proper posture, reducing neck and shoulder discomfort while nursing.
Ergobaby Breastfeeding Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Long Torso
- Firm but soft
- The suede side is heavenly
- The fabric can be removed pretty easily for washing
- Sits baby up higher
- It’s too wide to use in a chair that has armrests.
Thanks to this pillow’s unique curve, the baby’s stomach is positioned against your tummy, ensuring excellent support during nursing. Additionally, the cushion wraps around the waist and serves as an armrest, further enhancing comfort.
By placing your baby at a comfortable height and angle, this pillow prevents you from experiencing back strain from slouching while nursing. The firm foam maintains its shape feed after feed, offering long-lasting support. The handle makes it easy to carry and move around, while the interior liner provides extra spill protection.
Boppy Anywhere Nursing Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For C-Section
- The whole pillow is washable
- Great for traveling also
- Straps to tie around your waist
- It brings the baby up the perfect way
- The size limits usage in a variety of nursing positions
Whether you’re at home, on the go, or have limited living space, this pillow delivers precise feeding assistance that is essential for nursing mothers. It’s especially helpful for moms who have had a cesarean birth, and its open design is beloved by women of all sizes.
With its unique curved shape, the Anywhere Nursing Pillow enables various feeding postures that promote proper alignment and comfort for both mother and baby. It’s also incredibly portable, folding up into a compact form that’s easy to carry and store. You can toss it in your tote, hang it, or wrap it, and its soft, machine-washable upholstery makes cleaning a breeze.
Frida Mom Adjustable Nursing Pillow – Best Nursing Pillow For Back Pain
- You can adjust the height on it and it buckles around you so no need to keep adjusting it or pulling it up
- the little pockets on the front are handy
- It has several layers that you can remove/add to adjust to your torso and baby size
- The foam has some kind of form that helps the baby to stay in the correct position
- Works best for babies under 23 inches
This nursing pillow is designed to help you find the perfect lap-to-latch posture with ease. It comes with three replaceable layers that can be adjusted to achieve the ideal height for your frame, along with varying cushioning densities to provide optimal support for your little one.
In addition to its adjustable features, this nursing pillow also provides waist support, back support, and convenient storage pockets for your phone and drinks. It even has pockets for heat packs to ease postpartum discomfort and help you relax. With this pillow, all you need to do is LATCH, adjust, and rest after stacking the layers to your desired height.
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How To Choose The Best Nursing Pillow?
- Shape: Ultimately, this will depend on your personal choice. While some breastfeeding pillows wrap completely around your waist, others are shaped like a U or C to fit against your tummy. Some fashion choices may be more comfortable for you than others.
- Support: While some provide greater arm support, others provide back support. You’ll want to make sure that both you and the baby are comfortable. Additionally, some pillows are softer than others.
- Washability: Can you throw the pillow’s cover in the laundry or do you have to wipe the cushion down? Although the latter is more expensive, you might want to use it if your infant is prone to spitting up or reflux.
- Adjustability: To assist you in achieving a more personalized, secure fit, some breastfeeding pillows have adjustable belts or straps.
- Versatility: Lots of nursing pillows can serve multiple functions, including use as a tummy time pillow or even as decor. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Remember, infants must sleep on a flat, firm surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or playard, without any pillows, bedding, toys, or bumpers (2).
Is A Nursing Pillow Really Necessary?
If you plan to breastfeed, there is a lengthy list of accessories you’ll probably want to buy, including a reliable breast pump, a supportive nursing bra, and soothing nipple cream. And while nursing pillows aren’t always a must, many new mothers find that the unique features and extras are really helpful in the early days.
How Do I Use A Nursing Pillow?
The instructions for using a nursing pillow vary according to the type of pillow and the infant feeding technique. Regardless, get comfy with the pillow first, then add the baby. Most mothers make the mistake of placing the infant on the pillow and attempting to make sense of things from there. Bring the infant to your chest and snuggle in if you’re breastfeeding, with the pillow around your waist, under your arm and wrist, or behind your back.
When Do You Need a Nursing Pillow?
A nursing cushion will be used very certainly each time you nurse, which may be twelve times a day or more! Your baby’s head and neck control will improve within the first four to six months, and you might no longer require the cushion. Nursing pillows can nonetheless be used for tummy time or as a place to cradle infants who are unable to sit up on their own yet.
Are Breast Feeding Pillows safe?
When a newborn is placed on a nursing pillow to sleep, they may slide down, causing their neck to bow in a way that obstructs the airway. It’s crucial to keep in mind that these pillows shouldn’t be used to support a baby while they sleep in their crib or bassinet; rather, they should only be used when the infant is eating or awake.
Can I Use My Pregnancy Pillow As a Nursing Pillow?
You could figure out how to utilize a pregnancy pillow for breastfeeding if you’d prefer not to purchase a separate nursing pillow. Just lay it over your lap and encircle your waist. You may then place the infant on top of it to lift them close to your breast.
