Which bf pillow should I buy?

[kawaiiko]

I'd like to buy a bf pillow, does anyone have a recommendation?

I've looked at some of the maternity pillows on offer that claim to double as a feeding pillow but I don't know if I believe them. For example, the dream genii instructions mention that you may need to use an extra pillow for support when using it as a feeding pillow.

Are there any on the market that are truly good both during and after pg?

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you’ve come across it while searching for advice or information on pregnancy pillows, our guide to the best pregnancy pillow has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It includes a wide range of options from U-shaped to J-shaped, wedges and V-shaped pillows - many of which are also designed to be used for infant feeding and support. The page has been compiled using the advice of maternity healthcare experts as well as Mumsnet user recommendations. We hope it’s helpful!

funny, I've just been thinking about this today as I've been sorting through old mat stuff to give to a pg friend....

IMO I would just use normal pillows during pg - you've got them anyway and they're familiar and comfortable...which is want you want

maybe wait til baby arrives to buy a feeding pillow - you might not want one... I was unusual amongst my friends that i used one. If you have slightly bigger boobs and have a heavyish baby I think they're great. I struggled with bf DS1 and found the extra support useful.

I bought 2: during pg an enormous and exp thing from J Lewis that I thought I would use during and post (it was a big blue U cushion). Crap! unfamiliar during pg and too big and soft to be useful feeding. Then bought a cheapish one (£15)from Mothercare that I used with both DS's. It's their standard bf cushion.

Hope that helps. sorry can't remember the names

hello, i am bf ds3 and have had several bf pillows. the best by far is breast friend, no good for pg though. just use a normal pillow when pg.

think you can buy them from nct sales and mothercare. they are expensive but SO worth it, really help with positioning.

sorry, that should be my brest friend

I was given one from dunelm mill which was v cheap and used it as maternity pillow and for breastfeeding. Don't know how it compares to other brands but i really liked it.

I have 2 pillows that I use. I bought a dream genie while pregnant as I had spd and it helped me to get vaguely comfortable at night. I now use it at night when feeding in the rocking chair. Though I just place the long bit of the pillow across my lap and rest DS on it.

I also have a widgey pillow I bought in johnlewis. It is a firm u shape that fits snuggly around my waist and DS lies on it while I feed on the sofa during the day. I found that without the support my back was hurting from feeding.

I can't help but think that if you can bf without one, do! After all, one of the (many) great things above bfing is that it is so convenient, portable, and equipment free! Both my baby and boobs are above average size and i've bfed straight off, no problems, and nowt but my boobs to take with me when i go out!

Save your pennies till your dc is a demanding teenager, no longer content with the park and hand-me-downs! Or spend them on yourself!

I used a Dream Genii when DS was tiny (I tried a normal V pillow but didn't get on with it. I used it in the way napa described above. I didn't get it till after DS was born, though - I used about 8 cushions & pillows artfully arranged around the bed while I was pg.

Since he's been bigger, I found the DG wasn't much good; I now use the V pillow, with a normal pillow across my lap underneath. If I don't use the V pillow, my DS bruises his legs on the wooden arms of my Ikea Poang rocking chair, otherwise a normal pillow would do just as well. I do find I need to use a flattish pillow or scatter cushion in the small of my back, though.

i second the brest friend one. i had a series of rubbish ones with dd1 and for dd2 someone recommended it to me. it hardly left my body and meant i could stand up without dropping it. brilliant thing. def get it!

jo jo maman bebe do a curvy cushion with washable blue and white stripe cover, really cosy and nice. Baby likes to lie supporte din the crease when he is full with lovely milk. Worth buying as nice ot have for the sitting crawling stage later as well.

I've used the Widgey since 30wks pg and it's got to be the best thing I ever bought!

Another vote for my brest friend here - made positioning so easy and definitely played a part in how well we got on with bf'ing (which I had been worrying about but went swimmingly). I got mine on ebay (they have removable washable covers) for about £20 so you could pick one up there or maybe an NCT nearly new sale?

I really liked the brest friend - I found that although I could do it without when I wasn't at home, it made feeding so comfortable and took any pressure off my back etc when we were in the comfort of home!

Also it meant I could position DS the same way whether I was sitting on the floor, sofa or chair - as its so big the baby stays in the same position all the time!

Cover also washes in the machine & is easy to put back on which is a plus.

Downside is that it's so big....but I'd still choose it again.

My MLU recommended a V shaped pillow for feeding. You can get them for £7.99 in Argos so they are way cheaper than the ones sold as breastfeeding pillows and I found it really helped.
I just used normal pillows during PG, you can change the height of them more easily

I use the mothercare multipurpose pillow £22. Its a boomerang shape and has been great so far. Comes with a washable cover which can be tumble dried. Cheaper than alot of other pillows.

i loved my dreamgenii and it's easy to use for pg and bf (there's even a clip on youtube to help you use it properly!). Tried a widgey but it was too hard. The dreamgenii was especially good for pg as it keeps you on your left so baby gets into a good birth position. Definitely worth buying early on though, to get monies worth! Good luck x

Has anyone tried the inflatable ones? I was thinking of getting one as they're cheaper and fold up small so will easily fit in an emergency/hospital bag. If I decide I need something other than that and normal pillows, I'll try something else, but I was hoping it would be better than nothing to start with.

I just use 2 normal pillows and stack them up. When i had dc1 I needed 3 pillows but for dc3 things are a little lower!

The Dreamgenii pillow was a godsend! I was able to lie on my left and feel supported and comfortable. It also made a very good breastfeeding support pillow so I felt like I really had my money's worth.