Breastfeeding Pillows-pros and cons.
When setting up for your first baby it can be easy to get caught up in buying everything new .
If you are planning to breastfeed a popular item given at a baby shower is a breastfeeding pillow. Do you really need one?
There will always be some things like a cot, pram, or car seat that you might have specific needs re size and possible safety concerns with secondhand items but many other items could be bought secondhand, reducing the outlay and helping the environment.
At home visits I am often working with mum’s with their breastfeeding accessories to see are they the right fit for them and do they really need them?
In this blog post, let’s explore the pro’s and con’s of using a breastfeeding pillow
Pros of Using a Breastfeeding Pillow
Twins : Once you have breastfeeding established, feeding both babies at the same time is a obviously a massive time saver . When the babies are a little bigger then you can often be hands free using the underarm hold .The large dense foam pillows that completely wrap around your torso, often give back support and are great for one baby to rest while waiting for brother or sister to finish their meal!
Check out the Australian Multiple Birth Association website www.amba.org.au and you can find your local group’s website or facebook page for furthur information
Improved Comfort and Support
Some of the positions mum’s breastfeed in can place a strain on a mother's back, neck, and arms, as she holds her baby for lot’s of feeds. A breastfeeding pillow can provide support, helping to maintain a good posture reducing the need to hunch over or hold baby in awkward positions. Mum’s who need to use the “football” or “underarm “ hold will often need a supportive dense foam pillow to maintain the baby’s body at the right level around their body.This enhanced comfort allows for more extended, more relaxed breastfeeding sessions. Normal bed pillows can be too soft and squishy to maintain their support
Proper Latch and Positioning
A breastfeeding pillow can assist in achieving this by ensuring that the baby is at the correct height and angle for a comfortable latch. It promotes proper positioning of the baby's head, mouth, and body, making it easier for both the baby and mother.
From experience when working with mother’s I would say a breastfeeding pillow is most useful for women who have smaller breasts that sit higher on their chest with nipples that sit directly out and taller women with a long torso.
Versatility
Many breastfeeding pillows are designed to serve multiple purposes. They can also be used for tummy time, supervised propping up your baby in your lap after feeding on one breast while they are having “rest and digest time”, before offering the other side.
Disadvantages of Using a Breastfeeding Pillow
Cost
It all adds up so reach out to friends who aren’t using their’s anymore and try it out before buying secondhand . Most have a washable outer cover.
Positioning and Latch
Using breastfeeding pillows by women who have breasts that like to point down and or have a short torso often get in the way of the baby being able to access where the nipple on a breast naturally sits. In this situation I will often encourage women to try leaning back in a supported position to open up their torso and then once they have their baby latched then use a regular pillow or small couch cushion to support the elbow and supporting forearm.
Dependency
Overreliance on a breastfeeding pillow can be a disadvantage. While it can provide great comfort and support, some mothers may struggle to breastfeed without it, which could be inconvenient when the pillow is not available. Good idea to have a strategy on how to feed when out and about without the pillow .
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision to use a breastfeeding pillow is a personal one. They offer numerous advantages in terms of comfort, positioning and latch especially with twin’s but for some mother’s they can interfere with achieving a good position and latch.