Best breastfeeding pillows 2026: mum-approved nursing pillows for comfier feeding

Breastfeeding can be an emotionally complex time, particularly in those first few weeks after birth, and choosing the best breastfeeding pillow for you can make all the difference. By providing ergonomic support, a breastfeeding pillow should not only ensure your baby is in the best position for latching on correctly and nursing comfortably, it should also help ease back, neck or arm tension for you as you feed, making the whole process more calming for everyone.

A breastfeeding pillow (also known as a nursing pillow or boppy pillow) is typically shaped like a U, V or C, with some featuring wraparound fasteners to keep it in place. Once seated, it wraps around your front, side or arm to provide a comfortable, stable support cushion for your baby as they feed.

Best breastfeeding pillow shortlist: at a glance

• Best breastfeeding pillow overall: Hippychick Nursing Pillow | RRP: £40

• Best breastfeeding pillow budget buy: Kinder Valley Nursing Pillow | RRP: £14

• Best breastfeeding pillow for easy adjustability: bbhugme Nursing Pillow | RRP: £85

• Best breastfeeding pillow for back support: My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow | RRP: £95

• Best breastfeeding pillow under £40: Niimo nursing pillow | RRP: £30

• Best breastfeeding pillow for C-section mums: Momcozy Nursing Pillow | RRP: £50

• Best breastfeeding pillow for travel: Ruguies Nursing Pillow | RRP: £14

• Best breastfeeding pillow for twins: Peanut & Piglet Twin Breastfeeding Pillow | RRP: £110

Using one of the best breastfeeding pillows should help ensure that your baby is in the optimal position for breastfeeding and should relieve tension and pressure on your back, neck, shoulders and arms. Once you get the hang of it, it should also mean you’re able to have your hands free while your baby nurses, so you can grab a drink or scroll through your favourite social media platform or parenting website (mentioning no names here).

While some say that they’re not really a must-have buy, as a mum of three who breastfed all three of her kids for over a year each time, I found having a good breastfeeding pillow absolutely indispensable. So much so that when my second baby was born I bought a cheaper second one so I could have one upstairs for nap and/or bedtime feeds and one downstairs for every other feed. I also bought a smaller travel pillow for use on holiday or at grandparents’ houses to save carting the larger feeding pillow around.

How we chose the best breastfeeding pillows

There are a lot of breastfeeding pillows out there, so we’ve taken a deep dive into the Mumset forums to discover which ones our 8-million-strong network of UK parents recommends. We’ve also conducted independent reviews with our carefully-selected panel of breastfeeding UK mothers and consulted maternity experts including experienced midwife and breastfeeding expert Zoe Watson to find out what the best breastfeeding pillow should offer.

Breastfeeding pillows can be a great tool for helping you get into a comfortable breastfeeding position when you're learning the ropes. They can be particularly helpful if you still feel a little uncomfortable from the birth, as they provide additional support.

-Zoe Watson: Nurse, Midwife and Infant Feeding Specialist

As well as consulting the Mumsnet forums and medical experts, we've begun putting some of the best breastfeeding pillows of 2025 through their paces with rigorous, in-depth reviews conducted by our verified panel of real breastfeeding women. Be sure to check back as we add more of these reviews below and adapt our listings accordingly.

Here's our pick of the best nursing pillows 2025.

Do I really need a breastfeeding pillow?

It really depends on whether it's something you find useful or not. For me - and for our parent-tester Bethan, who reviewed the Hippychick Nursing Pillow - I found my breastfeeding pillows a huge help for feeding my babies and exponentially more comfortable and intuitive than regular cushions or pillows. But, when I didn't have it with me (and there were plenty of times where I'd have to feed while out and about) I was still able to breastfeed just fine. Like with nappy bins and baby bath tubs, toddler beds and potty training pants, it's one of those items which often divides opinion on Mumsnet as to whether you really need one, and really it comes down to personal preferences. If it makes your parenting life easier - and it certainly made mine easier - then yes. If you're able to feed just as comfortably without one, then no.

-Mumsnet user CurlyEndive

Are breastfeeding pillows necessary?

While a breastfeeding pillow isn't strictly necessary for successful breastfeeding, they can certainly be very helpful when it comes to positioning the baby correctly and providing you with good support for optimal posture.

"Breastfeeding pillows can be a great tool for helping you get into a comfortable breastfeeding position when you're learning the ropes. They can be particularly helpful if you still feel a little uncomfortable from the birth, as they provide additional support," says Midwife and Infant Feeding Specialist Zoe Watson.

Can breastfeeding pillows help with positioning for feeding?

While many a Mumsnetter says they used regular sofa cushions or bed pillows to help support and boost their baby for feeding, a good breastfeeding pillow is specially designed with positioning in mind. I certainly found no comparison between when I used a regular sofa cushion for feeds and when I used my C-shaped breastfeeding pillow.

I got the c shape nursing pillow and have used it loads with DS1. I used it for breastfeeding ... I also used it for tummy time for DS1 and when he was sitting up, I put it in front of him when he was sitting in the corner of the corner sofa and I put toys in front of him so he could reach them and when he was sitting on the floor I put it behind him so when he fell he would fall on the nursing pillow. Before DS1 was born I used it whilst pregnant as support on my back.

-Advice from Mumsnet user JugglingMum17

According to midwife and breastfeeding expert Zoe Watson, "A breastfeeding pillow can be a helpful tool for finding a comfortable breastfeeding position, especially in the newborn phase. They can be particularly handy if you've had a c-section birth or are breastfeeding multiples for extra support."

Can a breastfeeding pillow help with posture/ease tension for a breastfeeding mother?

Yes, absolutely! A breastfeeding pillow can raise the baby to the right level to support the breastfeeding person in getting the baby into a comfortable position to latch onto the breast without compromising their own comfort or posture.

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

What are the important things to consider when choosing a nursing pillow?

"When choosing a breastfeeding pillow, it's essential to consider several factors:

• Ensure the pillow fits comfortably around your body and provides support for your neck and shoulders.

• It should be firm enough to safely support your baby and provide good support but also soft and cosy for your little one to be comfortable.

• The pillow should also be versatile, allowing for different breastfeeding positions or bottle feeding.

• Some have additional features, such as being suitable for a baby to have tummy time or specially designed for twins.

• Make sure it's the right size to position your baby at the correct level for breastfeeding and opt for one with a removable, easy-to-clean cover for added convenience."

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

Are breastfeeding pillows safe?

"When selecting a breastfeeding pillow, safety concerns include ensuring the pillow provides firm support without being too soft, as this could affect posture and comfort during feeding. It's important to choose pillows made from hypoallergenic materials to avoid skin irritation and to select options with breathable fabrics to prevent overheating. The pillow should also have a removable, washable cover for hygiene, and small detachable parts like buttons or zippers should be avoided as they can be a choking hazard."

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

Is it safe for a baby to nap on a breastfeeding pillow if they are supervised?

"It's generally not recommended for a baby to nap on a breastfeeding pillow, even if they are supervised. While a breastfeeding pillow is designed to provide support during feeding, it is not intended for unsupervised use or as a sleep surface.

"Babies can sometimes shift or slide into an unsafe position on a pillow, increasing the risk of suffocation. It's safest to lay the baby on a firm, flat surface, such as a cot or Moses basket, for naps, where they can sleep in a safe position. If you need to set the baby down for a brief rest, always ensure they are in a safe and secure environment."

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

Are nursing pillows a good idea for post C-section mothers? If so, what should they look for in a nursing pillow?

"Yes, nursing pillows can be an excellent idea for people who have given birth by c-section, as they provide extra support and help avoid putting pressure on the healing incision. When choosing a nursing pillow, look for one that offers firm, comfortable support to keep the baby at the right height for feeding without straining your arms, shoulders, or back. "

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

Can breastfeeding twins be made easier with the use of a breastfeeding pillow?

"Twin parents often report that they find breastfeeding cushions a helpful tool for feeding their babies. However, the key is getting plenty of professional breastfeeding support to ensure the babies are latching correctly, feeding is going well, and the breastfeeding parent feels comfortable."

-Zoe Watson - Midwife, Nurse and Infant Feeding Specialist

About the expert

Zoe Watson is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Infant Feeding Specialist with more than fifteen years of experience. She is an expert in breastfeeding, breastfeeding through pregnancy, tandem feeding and weaning. She is a mum-of-three and a qualified hypnobirthing teacher.

About the author

Jenny Wonnacott has been working as a Content Editor for Mumsnet since 2022 with a particular focus on pregnancy, child and baby care product guides, articles and reviews. As a mum of three, Jenny has extensive hands-on experience in all of the Mumsnet content she writes about. She is passionate about sourcing, testing and thoroughly researching the products which make every stage of parenting easier, from the best breast pump to the most reassuring baby monitor as well as top kids' toys, games and tech.

Jenny has more than 16 years of experience working as a professional writer and journalist including stints as a local newspaper reporter, radio news reader, TV researcher and editor of a trades magazine and website. Becoming a mum in 2013 ignited a passion for writing about parenting, a theme which started as a light-hearted blog and has made its way into three published novels and several guest articles for national publications.

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