For modern mothers, there are a large number of devices that are designed for the convenience of caring for a baby. One of them is the feeding pillow. The advantage of this pillow is that it can already be purchased during pregnancy. Such an adaptation improves the quality of a pregnant woman's sleep, because it can help to take comfortable positions. And then the expectant mother can use the pillow while feeding the baby.
What does a nursing pillow look like and what is the secret?
Before buying, mom needs to familiarize herself with the type, shape of the pillow.
Interesting! A special pillow can be used for a long period: during pregnancy and after the birth of a child.
Nursing pillow shape
Nowadays, there are more and more different shapes and types of pillows.
- U-shaped pillow - is the largest and most voluminous. During pregnancy, such a pillow surrounds the woman's body on both sides, creating comfort during sleep and supporting the lower back. After the baby is born, this pillow can be easily transformed into a device convenient for mom and baby;
- C-shaped Is the most common form of pillow. It takes up less space than a U-shape. It can be placed both in front and behind during sleep. In the process of feeding, the pillow also helps to take a comfortable position;
- I-shaped the pillow is about the size of a human being. This product has an elongated shape, without bends. Such a pillow is easy to change for yourself and your baby;
- L-shaped has one long end and the other short. The last end can be placed between the legs during pregnancy, completely relieving tension from the abdomen and lower back. And in the process of feeding, the short end relaxes the cervical spine of the mother in a horizontal position.
Nursing pillow size
The size of the pillow is also very important for ease of use. The size should be selected depending on the individual characteristics of the woman and her needs. Pillows can be from 120 cm and more, the largest and voluminous ones reach lengths of more than 2 m. When choosing a size, you should rely on your own height.
The most popular size of the pillow for pregnancy and lactation is the length of 170 - 190 cm.
It is important to understand that pillows up to 150 cm long are not very functional, and products over 2 m take up too much space in the bed. The middle version of the pillow can be taken with you, rest and feed anywhere.
What is the secret of convenience?
A pillow during pregnancy allows a woman to take a comfortable position on it. The abdomen is positioned on a pillow, thereby relieving tension from the back muscles and fatigue all day long. The loins of pregnant women also need rest. A position in which the pillow is clamped between the legs of a woman helps to relieve fatigue and pain. The U-shaped pillow allows the expectant mother to rest like in a nest.
After the birth of the baby, while feeding, the woman may also experience heaviness and pain in the lower back, especially when sitting. With the help of a special pillow, you can feed your baby in any comfortable position. Convenience during feeding lies in the fact that the baby can be positioned at breast level, thus the mother does not need to hold the baby in weight.
How to choose the right nursing pillow?
Before choosing a nursing pillow, mom may have questions. After all, the device must be comfortable to use, and the materials from which the pillow is made must be safe.
We select the size
The sizes that are currently found on the market today have been mentioned above. It is important for mom to understand where and under what conditions she will use the pillow. If a woman needs to feed her baby with a pillow in different places, then a small-sized product is more suitable, since it is more compact. Also, a small pillow should be taken by expectant mothers, who save space in the bed and in the apartment as a whole.
Due to their compactness, small products have low functionality. The positions of a woman and a child on such a pillow can be few. In order for the expectant mother to have the opportunity to fully use the device, it is advisable to take a pillow that is 20-40 cm larger than her own height.
Filler
The inner material is of the utmost importance. In addition to convenience, the filler must be hypoallergenic. It is better to use synthetic materials, because bacteria that cause allergies can grow in natural fillers. Also, the filler should keep its shape and bend slightly under the baby's weight.
Artificial fillers:
- padding polyester are the most budgetary. These pillows are washable. The filler is hypoallergenic. But the big drawback is that the pillow quickly loses its original appearance and shape;
- holofiber - a new generation synthetic filler, which consists of a fibrous material. Such filler returns to its previous shape after use, and also retains heat well;
- comfortel - an artificial material that curls into small balls. This filler is also budgetary, but does not have a long service life. Such material is well erased. But the elasticity of the komer is insufficient and this material is not recommended to be used during the feeding period;
- expanded polystyrene also curls into small balls up to 2 mm in diameter. A pillow with such a filling has a lot of advantages and, accordingly, the price category is higher than other pillows. This filler can be moved and created a comfortable shape for mom and baby. And also balls can be "poured" into the pillow if necessary. The filler is hypoallergenic and safe. Pillow with expanded polystyrene balls must not be washed. But, despite this, the product retains its original appearance for a long time. The pillow has a "memory" effect, that is, the filler does not lose its shape under the baby's body;
- silicone has a high degree of elasticity. Such a characteristic can be regarded as a minus or a plus.
Natural materials used in feeding pillows are not recommended. The main disadvantage of such products is allergies and various skin diseases as a result of contact with such a pillow. Such a device requires special, careful care, because in natural materials there is a high probability of the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Case
Thanks to the cover, the infant nursing pillow can have different colors and patterns. Special additional pillowcases can be purchased separately. You just need to know the size and shape of the pillow. It is necessary to have several covers in stock, since they need to be washed periodically.
Nursing pillow covers can have ties that can be used to fix the product in the desired position. For example, a C-shaped pillow can be transformed into a ring by folding and tying ribbons on it.
How to use the nursing pillow?
The main question that arises before a mother after a purchase is how to use a nursing pillow? To facilitate the process, the pillow should be positioned in the front and secured at the back with ties, Velcro or other devices. This position significantly relieves the load on the spine and arms. The child sits on the pillow with his stomach towards his mother, and his mother slightly holds him with her hands.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that mothers with small breasts are advised to buy pillows with a denser filling so that the woman does not have to bend over to the baby. There are many different poses. Mom herself decides in which position it is more convenient for her and the child to carry out the feeding process.
At the time of feeding, the position of the child should not interfere with the full act of sucking, and it is also necessary to monitor calm free breathing.
In order to prevent milk stagnation, you need to alternate the breast, as well as the position. Some lobules are poorly emptied, so the mother may develop lactostasis. There is a certain provision that prevents this. The child should be located under the mother's arm, that is, the body should be under the arm.
Pillow care
Before use, immediately after purchase, it is recommended to wash the pillowcase in the washing machine at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees, and then iron the dry cover from 2 sides. Some synthetic fillers (sintepon, holofiber, komfortl) can be washed in a washing machine on a delicate cycle in a special cover.
After washing, shake the pillow thoroughly so that the filler spreads evenly. It is recommended to use any kind of washing machine detergent for washing. Conditioners and bleaches should not be used.
Caring for polystyrene foam filler does not require washing. In case the granules "settled", balls can be added to the pillow.
Twin feeding pillow
Feeding two children at the same time can be quite problematic and inconvenient. For such situations, a special pillow for feeding twins has been developed. Such a device is made of high-strength foam rubber, which holds its shape well, but at the same time is very soft. The pillow has a horseshoe shape and a special tilt angle so that the children are closer to their mother. At the back, you can fix the pillow with ties, Velcro or clasps. The pillow cover is made of cotton, which can be removed and washed.
Top 5 baby feeding pillows
Knowing what are the most popular nursing pillows available today, it will be easier for mom to make a choice.
- Cushion RED CASTLE BIG FLOPSY, German manufacturer. Consists of expanded polystyrene. It is produced in a length of 170 cm. The cost of this pillow is quite high and amounts to 5300 rubles.
- Pillow CEBA BABY DUO. Country of origin Poland. C-shaped pillow, which also consists of polystyrene foam balls. This device has its own characteristics. The pillow is one of the longest, the length of which can reach 3 meters. The price is 4500 rubles.
- Pillow ALVITEK U-340, domestic production. U-shaped pillow, which has a length of 340 cm. The pillow is filled with holofiber, which significantly reduces the price of the product, which is 1200 rubles.
- Pillow TRELAX BANANA, also has a Russian manufacturer. C-shaped pillow. The filler is expanded polystyrene, which is the safest and most hypoallergenic. The length of the pillow is short (135 cm), you can take it with you. The price is 3000 rubles.
- Pillow - transformer CANDIDE 3 in 1 MULTIRELAX + JERSEY COTTON, France. This pillow is the most functional. With the help of special belts, the baby can be held in the device outside the feeding process. The filler is expanded polystyrene. The price of a pillow fluctuates around 6,000 rubles.
Pillow Red Castle Big Flopsy
Quality pillows are expensive. If mom wants to save money on a product, she can sew it herself. A DIY pillow, the pattern of which is quite simple, can consist of any material, shape and size that a mother needs.
Conclusion
Today there is a large mass of devices that greatly facilitate the work of a mother. The process of feeding a baby is not as easy as it might seem from the outside. Sometimes a mother has to sit in one position for hours so that the child can eat in a comfortable position. To facilitate feeding, special feeding pillows have been created. They come in different shapes, types, sizes and colors. Every mother can find her perfect pillow to her taste.
