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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

what breastfeeding cushion or do I not need one?

28 replies

clarabellarocks · 02/10/2010 22:14

Preg with second baby and really struggled with BF first. Getting a lot of things sorted in my head for this next time round but wondering if a BF cushion may help and if so which one?

If it doesn't work as well as pillows etc thinking i can always use it to read in bed or for my DD to help her cuddle baby!

Recommendations gratefully received!

OP posts:
pebblejones · 02/10/2010 22:16

I've personally never needed one and I'm still breadtfeeding DS at 6 months... In the early days when I was struggling a bit with latch, I used a regular pillow.

mrsgordonfreeman · 02/10/2010 22:17

I had a Dream Geni and a Widgey. I ended up hurling both of them across the room. The more rigid pillows seem designed for someone wider than I and dd kept slipping underneath them.

I ended up just using a pillow off the bed.

thisisyesterday · 02/10/2010 22:18

i had a great one that was like a beanbag

i found the buppy and widgey ones far too firm. beanbag one was good because obviously it moulded to the shape of the baby

normal pillows too squishy
i prob only used it for the first 6 weeks or so though... so it's a good thing to pick up second hand if you can

thisisyesterday · 02/10/2010 22:19

this is very similar to the one i had. but mine wasn't such cool fabric! lol

gaelicsheep · 02/10/2010 22:19

I have never used one. I sometimes use regular pillows or cushions but in the early days I generally found they got in the way when I was already dealing with flayling arms and killer jaws! If I do find I need support sometimes then a normal pillow - the squashier the better - or a crossed leg does me just fine.

thisisyesterday · 02/10/2010 22:19

oh, here is my exact one 99p!!

harverina · 02/10/2010 23:24

I didn't use a pillow to start with and really struggled with positioning. I think I had difficulties because I have huge boobs!

I have this pillow. It washes well in the washing machine and you can buy a 2 pack of covers for spares.

I now take my pillow with me everywhere (my DD is 6 months old)- I can feed without it but find it a struggle. Next time round I will have a pillow with me in hospital.

loopyloops · 02/10/2010 23:30

I don't think you need one, but maybe try to borrow a couple?

NumptyMum · 02/10/2010 23:37

I just use a normal bed pillow (firm foam type, not the sort I'd ever sleep with - I think it was DH's Grin). I tried a widgey with DS but found it tipped him towards me too much because it was slightly rounded. In fact my MIL bought the widgey for me, I tried it (with plastic wrap still on it) and then returned it to the shop knowing it didn't suit, so I guess you could always do that if you're unsure...

Icoulddoitbetter · 02/10/2010 23:37

I had what i think is the widgey, kind of half moon shaped, bought it from NCT catalogue but they had the same ones in Argos.

I started with one of the V shaped back pillows as they're cheap but couldn't position DS properly. The widgey I found really useful as it hooks around you so wherever your baby lies around you they will be on the cushion. I can't remember when I stopped using it, but it was quite late on.

My local BF support groups had cushions like these, so I knew it would work before I spent the money. Can you try some out before you buy?

Good luck!

ayjayjay · 03/10/2010 00:28

I like the my brest friend pillow, they are pricey but you can find them cheaper on ebay. The cushion clips round you so baby doesn't slip between you and the cushion. I found it allowed me to keep my hands free when BF.

openerofjars · 03/10/2010 00:35

Congratulations!

Normal pillow, couple of quid. I used it to prop my bump up in bed, then to prop DS up on when he was born.

[wistful] Envy

Haggisfish · 03/10/2010 14:07

I second the my brest friend - I used a normal pillow for the first two months and really wih I had had the my Brest Friend for the, too. I got mine for £15 off ebay. ps - my Brest friend is not a spelling error!

angfirsttimer · 03/10/2010 14:20

used the widgey one for a few weeks, but then it was too high cos DS was such a big un!! using it again now with DS just starting to sit up, I can sit him in the half moon shape and know he wont bang his head if he falls backwards.

lazycow007 · 03/10/2010 14:27

I used one similar to thisisyesterday and found it great.
The normal "triangular sit up in bed to read" ones are just as good and you can buy repalcement covers very cheap!
Mine was a godsend as saved me holding on to her whilst feeding and it fitted snuggly around my middle.

Thandeka · 03/10/2010 14:29

my breastfriend without a doubt- I tried them ALL and this one saved my breastfeeding relationship. Once DD was about 5months we didn't use it as much but in the early days it was a godsend so defo defo defo get one.

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 03/10/2010 14:31

argos do cheap V pillows (not maternity but exactly the same), but my favourite is one I got from ebay that is like a V/U shaped bean bag. I can move the beans around to suit my needs - propping DS up more in one direction etc. so can feed on my lap but he can be slightly head raised - excellent if reflux etc. if ever a problem. Was abput £15-£20, label says baby dan collection, H C Andersen. Very very mouldable, I cannot recommend it highly enough, I'd be lost without it and I have BFed 3 babies now.

lazycow007 · 03/10/2010 14:38

When you have finished with it you can use it to prop baby up whilst they are sitting playing Smile

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 03/10/2010 14:39

www.babysecurity.co.uk/products/1411/BabyDan-Nursing-Pillow-%252d--Baby-Nursery-Products.html this looks like it's the one - filled with 'polystyrene pearls',

Porcelain · 03/10/2010 15:31

www.boots.com/en/Boots-Inflatable-Breast-Feeding-Pillow_25410/

I don't use it all the time but its useful for hands free nursing while mumsnetting, and under a tenner.

allstarsprincess · 06/10/2010 22:51

The support group (I am a breastfeeding supporter) local to me have some that mums can borrow/ try before you commit. It might be worth looking into this?

Personally I like a regular pillow when sitting upright on the bed to feed but a bean filled one for the sofa as it is better for my slouchy positioning.

FrozenNorth · 07/10/2010 09:08

I got a bottom of the range mothercare one. For me personally it has made the world of difference - I have large breasts, and a penchant for working whilst feeding. When she has a cold she sometimes naps on it in the same room as me as it props her up. When she was v small (5lb 8oz at birth) it was brilliant as she felt so small and delicate but I knew the pillow was supporting all of her body correctly, leaving me free to concentrate on our latch.

jonalex · 26/10/2010 09:22

Thrupenny Bits breastfeeding pillows tie on so they won't slip off your lap plus they look gorgeous and carry like a bag. The bigger ones even convert to an actual bag! I know some of you feel that you don't need a cushion (you're very lucky!) but for me having a cushion to use second time round transformed my breastfeeding experience, plus it gave me my hands back to continue interacting with my older child. I'm still using my outer bag over 2 years after using the whole thing as a pillow so not bad VFM. There's lots of reviews on mumsnet for these so I know I'm not alone!www.thrupennybits.co.uk/

FingonTheValiant · 26/10/2010 09:44

I second Thrupenny Bits - I've been having nightmares with DS (2weeks) and this puts him in a great position. I tried a normal pillow, but it just didn't come close to a proper one.

marriednotdead · 26/10/2010 09:54

I had one of those Argos V cushions as I had a very uncomfortable back to back pregnancy.
I later realised that it was useful wrapped across me and under the arm of whichever side I was feeding to lift DS off my CS scar.

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