You use a nursing pillow correctly by placing it around your waist or on your lap and positioning your baby on it so that they are at breast height and tummy-to-tummy with you. This brings the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby, relieving your arms, shoulders, and neck. In this guide, we show you step-by-step how to do it and introduce you to the 5 most popular nursing positions.
In this Article
- What is a nursing pillow used for?
- Instructions: Latching your baby correctly
- The 5 most popular nursing positions
- Frequently asked questions
What is a nursing pillow used for?
A nursing pillow ensures an ergonomic posture during breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. It lifts your baby to the correct height, so you don't have to lean forward or support their weight with your arms the entire time. This significantly relieves your back, arms, neck, and shoulders, allowing you to enjoy the moment with your baby in comfort.
A good nursing and pregnancy pillow is a real all-rounder: during pregnancy, it supports you while sleeping, after birth, it becomes a nursing pillow, and in between, it serves as a positioning pillow or a cozy nest for your baby.
Supports you while sleeping and becomes a practical nursing pillow after birth. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
Instructions: Latching your baby correctly
No matter which position you choose, these four steps will help you latch your baby correctly and pain-free.
Step 1: Position the pillow. Place the nursing pillow around your waist or on your lap. Make sure it's not too low, otherwise your baby won't be at breast height.
Step 2: Place the baby. Lay your baby on the pillow so that they are fully supported and at the height of your breast.
Step 3: Turn tummy-to-tummy. Your baby faces you, tummy-to-tummy. Their head, shoulder, and hip should form a straight line.
Step 4: Bring to the breast. Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby. This way, they can grasp the nipple and areola without strain.
The 5 most popular nursing positions
Feel free to try several positions until you find the most comfortable one for you. Here's an overview of the five tried-and-true positions.
Cradle Hold
How it works: Pillow around the waist, baby lies lengthwise in the crook of your arm
Good for: Classic everyday use, relieves the arm
Cross-Cradle Hold
How it works: Baby is supported by the opposite arm
Good for: Early days and small babies, lots of control
Football Hold
How it works: Baby lies sideways under your arm on the pillow
Good for: After a C-section, as there's no pressure on the scar
Upright Nursing Position
How it works: Baby sits upright astride your leg
Good for: Baby's heartburn or strong milk let-down reflex
Lying Down Position
How it works: Pillow lengthwise next to you, baby at breast height
Good for: Night feeds and resting
A 3-piece pillow is particularly practical here, as you can flexibly adjust the individual parts to any position without constantly having to rearrange a rigid pillow.
The three parts can be adjusted individually and adapt to cradle hold, football hold, or lying-down nursing.
Frequently asked questions
How high should the baby lie on the nursing pillow?
Your baby should be at breast height, so their mouth is at your nipple without pulling. If the pillow is too low, the baby won't be high enough, and you'll unconsciously lean forward.
Which nursing position is best after a C-section?
The football hold is very suitable because the baby lies sideways under your arm, preventing pressure on the C-section scar. Lying down to nurse is also often found to be comfortable.
Can I use the pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow too?
Yes. A nursing and pregnancy pillow is designed for both. During pregnancy, it supports you while sleeping, and after birth, you use it as a nursing pillow. The Snugbelly pillow continues to be used for this purpose after birth.
How do I know if my baby is latched correctly?
The baby's head and spine form a straight line, they are tummy-to-tummy with you, and they grasp not only the nipple but also part of the areola. Nursing should be pain-free for you.
A pillow for pregnancy and nursing
The Snugbelly pillow supports you during sleep and becomes your nursing pillow after birth.
Discover the Snugbelly pillow →OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and recommended by German midwives.
This article does not replace breastfeeding advice. If you have any questions or problems with breastfeeding, please contact your midwife or a lactation consultant. Further tips can be found, for example, at dm. Related articles from our magazine: Back pain during pregnancy at night and when a pregnancy pillow makes sense.
