Choosing the Best Nursing Pillow for You and Your Baby

These 16 nursing pillows can make your breastfeeding experience easier and more comfortable.

Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby, but it can be a difficult and uncomfortable process if you don't have the proper support. By choosing the best nursing pillow for you and your baby, you can avoid straining your back and neck, which will result in a much more relaxing breastfeeding experience.

Lou Lamb, a registered nurse and the owner of Breastfeeding Blues & Bliss in Charlottesville, Virginia, believes that finding the best nursing pillow can be helpful for exhausted new mothers. "Having a tool which can help position baby optimally for breastfeeding can be a plus" in those early days, she says. "In addition, a mother of twins could certainly use a 'third arm' while nursing both babies together, and a nursing pillow can be the answer."

When you find the right pillow, you'll notice the difference, says Chrisie Rosenthal, the owner of The Land of Milk and Mommy in Sherman Oaks, California. "Benefits of proper positioning include increased milk transfer, strong milk supply, appropriate weight gain for baby, decreased soreness for mom and a more relaxed feed for both mom and baby," she says.

Here are 16 great nursing pillows to try:
 

1. Leachco Cuddle-U Basic Nursing Pillow and More
   This Leachco Cuddle-U Basic Nursing Pillow is extremely versatile. You can use it in four different ways!
    
2. Dr. Brown's Gia Breastfeeding Pillow
   Dr. Brown's Gia Breastfeeding Pillow is wider and taller than most alternatives. This design will reduce the strain on your back when you're breastfeeding.
    
3. My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow
   You can wrap the My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow all the way around your body to provide optimal back support. It also has easy-to-access side pockets where you can store snacks and drinks!
    
4. Bebe au Lait Nursing Pillow
   The Bebe au Lait Nursing Pillow has a reversible, removable cover with a front pocket where you can store your nursing accessories.
    
5. San Diego Bebe Eco-Nursing Pillow
   Interested in an eco-friendly option? The San Diego Bebe Eco-Nursing Pillow has a detachable nursing cover and hypoallergenic filling.
    
6. Fisher-Price Perfect Position 4-in-1 Nursing Pillow
   The Fisher-Price Perfect Position 4-in-1 Nursing Pillow gently curves around your body while you're nursing. Afterward, you can snap on the included mobile to create a fun play area for your baby.
    
7. My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow
   If you breastfeed on the go, the My Brest Friend Inflatable Travel Nursing Pillow is perfect for you! It packs flat so that you can easily fit it in your purse or diaper bag.
    
8. Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Nursing Pillow
   The Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Nursing Pillow is designed to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter so that your baby can always be comfortable.
    
9. Sealy Sweet Pea 2-in-1 Maternity and Nursing Pillow
   This option serves two purposes -- you can use the Sealy Sweet Pea 2-in-1 Maternity and Nursing Pillow as a maternity body pillow and then as a nursing pillow.
    
10. Tineo by Candide Baby Discretionary Nursing Pillow
    Do you wish there was a way for you to breastfeed privately when you're in a public place? Look no further! The Tineo by Candide Baby Discretionary Nursing Pillow has a detachable curtain that you can move from left to right.
     
11. Honest Nursing Pillow
    The Honest Nursing Pillow has an angled surface that allows for easier and more comfortable breastfeeding sessions. The core is made without harsh chemicals or flame retardants.
     
12. BornFree Bliss Nursing Pillow
    Designed by lactation consultants, the BornFree Bliss Nursing Pillow has an ergonomic design that helps reduce back strain.
     
13. Leachco Natural Boost Adjustable Nursing Pillow
    The Leachco Natural Boost Adjustable Nursing Pillow option allows you to choose the level of incline that is perfect for you and your baby.
     
14. Comfort & Harmony's mombo Covered Nursing Pillow
    There are two sides to the Comfort & Harmony's mombo Covered Nursing Pillow -- one is firmer for your nursing sessions, while the other is softer for your baby's play time.
     
15. My Brest Friend Deluxe Twins Plus Pillow
    Are you currently nursing twins? The My Brest Friend Deluxe Twins Plus Pillow provides comfort and support for moms who are breastfeeding multiples.
     
16. San Diego Bebe Twin Eco-Nursing Pillow
    Here's another great option for moms of multiples! The supportive San Diego Bebe Twin Eco-Nursing Pillow has detachable nursing covers and an accessories pocket.

Lamb recommends that you try a nursing pillow before you purchase it. "This pillow may be a mother's constant companion, particularly in the early months after birth, so make sure it feels right," she says. According to Rosenthal, you "should look for a breastfeeding pillow that has a firm cushion and will provide good support."

Natalie Vereen-Davis is a freelance writer and travel blogger. When her daughter was a baby, Natalie loved trying out new infant products!