How to make breastfeeding more comfortable?

[Rollermum]

Feeling the impact of breastfeeding on my back and wondering if anyone has recommendations for furniture, cushions, stretches, anything to make more comfortable.

DD is 9 weeks and I feed her in rugby position with her laying propped on about 3 pillows. I'm on sofa with 4 cushions behind me (as sofa so deep). To get a good latch I'm leaning and twisting slightly and it's really starting to hurt in parts of neck and back. Especially today when she is feeding every 1.5 hrs for some reason.

Sick and tired of constantly arranging bloody pillows too, idly wondering if anything I can do!

Also to add across body doesn't work well for us, and I do feed laying down sometimes but latch tends to be less than ideal as I have to hold boob out of her nose if that makes sense!

I had a widgey pillow and sat on the sofa with legs crossed IIRC. Widgey was fab - think I got it for a tenner off gumtree! However, I did feed across body - but maybe that would work for you with better positioning?

I have a 'my Brest friend' pillow which is just brilliant and has saved my back. It's very firm and clips on round your middle so you could twist the cushion bit around to support your baby in rugby hold.

Hi both - thanks for your comments.

I have a thrupenny bits pillow which is ok out and about but not great for a more leisurely feed at home iykwim. Other positions are a bit hit and miss at this stage so I think I need to keep trying as she gets bigger and better at holding her head up etc.

I found a step under my feet really useful

I had to hold baby's nose off my boob until my community midwife suggested tucking baby's bottom closer in to my body. Sounds silly but it works for us!

Do you have a partner/friend/parent? If so get them to build a nest of pillows, cushions, blankets around you while you sit on the sofa. You need something under your feet. Make sure baby is wrapped up close around your body with feet and legs well tucked in. Alternatively, feed laying down.

I had a similar problem and ended up getting one of those really big bean bags. It moulded completely to my lower back. Fake leather sort are wipeable which is handy

If you were able/ willing to buy furniture, I get on very well with an Ikea Poang chair and footstool.

If not - we have a deep sofa too, and I use bed pillows behind my back, an L-shaped cushion from Dunelm on my lap (when DC were teeny) and legs bent up on a footstool.

DO you know if there is a local drop in group near you or breastfeeding cafe. They could really help you with this.

When talking about positioning and attachment we always start of with getting mum's comfortable first. Feet flat on the floor if you need a small foot stool to raise you legs then go with that. You and a nice straight back to avoid back and neck strain. Maybe try another chair if your soft is to deep. You need to be comfortable first this then helps you get a good latch.

I have a V pillow. Got it from Ikea. Brilliant.
I have a very cheep plastic stool that we used when toilet training ds1
It just raises my feet as I was always on tip toes when feeding.

Also recommend tucking babies bottom in closely to you. Tummy to tummy.

Baby is 11 months now & still comfortably feeding.

I'm going to echo other replies and say Ikea paong chair and the mybreastfriend pillow.

The breastfriend pillow is seriously amaing! I struggled for 8 weeks till I got one and now breastfeeding is just sooooo much better. The pillow doesn't move about and it's a good height. DD seems to like it too.

I got mine on ebay, and am about to start looking for the inflatable version for out and about.