It’s called a nursing pillow… but it can do so much more than that. Plump and round (like a few others you might know 😉), it supports you throughout pregnancy and steps in for nursing sessions any time of day. Not exactly discreet, but oh-so-comfortable, it stays around to cuddle your baby well beyond the first months. Before long, it becomes one of those objects parents grow deeply fond of, wrapped up in memory and nostalgia. The sort that makes life softer and quietly anchors itself in family life. So, allow us to share six (very) good reasons to adopt a nursing pillow—whether you breastfeed or not.
CONTENTS:
- What a nursing pillow (really) is
- 6 reasons to use a nursing pillow at home (and why not take it everywhere)
- How to choose the nursing pillow you’ll never want to put away
What a nursing pillow (really) is
Sometimes mistaken for a pregnancy pillow, the nursing pillow—like its cousin—is designed for body contact. Whether you’re sitting on a couch or in bed, it wraps around your midsection to hold your baby at just the right height, relieve your arms, and relax your shoulders. Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it (re)creates that snug cocoon that changes everything: less body tension, more presence and calm in the moment.
Unlike a regular pillow, a nursing pillow is ergonomic and designed to follow the contours of your body—hugging your maternal shape, adapting to your daily posture, and fitting your feeding routines. Whether “U”, “C”, or crescent-shaped, you can position it with just one hand.
Its filling, made of lightweight, quiet, ultra-flexible microbeads, firm and stable memory foam, or natural fibers like kapok (which is breathable and antibacterial), all play a critical role in providing comfort, support, and feel.
Finally, always equipped with a soft, washable cover, it feels familiar—like your favorite throw blanket draped across the sofa.
The nursing pillow gives you all the comfort you need to support your first special bonding moments with your baby through milk feeding. Like a anchor, passed from arm to arm, from maternal gentleness to paternal care.
4 positions to try for optimal comfort
Just as there are different ways to nurse or bottle-feed, your nursing pillow can help you find several very comfortable and supportive positions to feed your newborn.
-
The cradle hold
Sit comfortably—often cross-legged or in an armchair—place the pillow on your lap, and settle your baby securely in its curve, tummy to tummy with you.
👉 A natural position, ideal once your baby already latches well, for peaceful daytime nursing.
-
The cross-cradle hold
You support your baby with the arm opposite the breast you’re offering. Baby’s neck rests in your hand so you can better guide the latch. The pillow supports your forearm and keeps baby's head well aligned.
👉 Perfect for the first weeks, as it helps learn proper latching and can reduce pain from poor positioning.
-
The football hold (or “rugby hold”)
Half-lying down or sitting, slide your baby to your side, their back resting along the nursing pillow under your arm, just like a football.
👉 Very helpful after a C-section (no pressure on your belly), for twins, or to ease extra breast discomfort.
-
Side-lying position
Your baby lies facing you, propped on the pillow at the right height for nursing.
👉 Ideal at night or for co-sleeping; this setup lets you nurse resting, in close proximity, truly relaxing together.
-
Bonus: The semi-reclined or “Biological Nurturing” position
Recline yourself at an angle (in bed or on the couch with extra pillows), place your newborn tummy to tummy on your chest, and let them find your breast instinctively.
👉 An intuitive posture, ideal for newborns, skin-to-skin, or boosting milk supply. No extra support needed: closeness and gravity do the work.
4 differences between a nursing pillow and a pregnancy pillow
Because both are essentials in a maternity kit—and have a similar look and feel—it’s easy to mistake the nursing pillow for its pregnancy counterpart. Here are four quick ways to tell them apart.
| Features | Pregnancy Pillow | Nursing Pillow |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | To relieve the pregnant woman’s body (back, belly, legs) | Provides good posture during feeding (breast or bottle) |
| Shape | Very long (often U or L-shaped) to support the entire body | Shorter, often C or U-shaped, to wrap around the waist |
| Firmness | Soft, to comfortably prop up the body during sleep | Firm enough to support baby during feeding |
| Positioning | Mainly used lying down or semi-reclined | Used while sitting, around your waist or on your lap |
So, the pregnancy pillow supports your body—mainly during the third trimester—while the nursing pillow comes into play during feeding. More compact, portable, and easy to maneuver, it creates a calm bubble with no strain or rush, so you can feed your baby in peace.
🩷 If you’re hesitating, remember: they don’t overlap. Each serves a unique purpose—one helps support, the other releases tension.
6 reasons to use a nursing pillow at home (and why not take it everywhere)
Snuggly and adaptable, the nursing pillow makes itself at home in the parent-baby relationship: breastfeeding, bottles, digestion, playtime, rest... Here’s why it deserves a spot in your home (and why you may never want to live without a nursing pillow).
1. Feed baby gently—breast or bottle
The nursing pillow supports your arms, back, and belly… and your focus. It keeps your baby positioned at the right height, for a smooth, relaxed feeding session and an emotionally calm space.
Exclusive breastfeeding, combo-feeding, or all bottles, using a nursing pillow encourages a relaxed posture, a natural visual bond between you and your infant, and helps you be truly present in the moment.
And when someone else steps in—a co-parent, grandparent, or sibling—the pillow shares its comforting support. Feeding baby remains a special moment, with no compromise on comfort.
2. Support baby’s first alert moments
When your baby’s safely nestled in and under supervision, they’re slightly elevated, well supported in a cozy little nest—ready to observe, babble, or just rest awhile.
3. Help digestion after feeding
After feeding, some babies need to stay slightly upright to reduce reflux. The nursing pillow keeps them propped up, so you don’t have to stand or keep moving for long periods.
4. For breastfeeding aversion
Occasionally, for reasons not entirely understood, some mothers suddenly experience discomfort or even a sense of physical rejection during nursing. This phenomenon, called breastfeeding aversion (Breastfeeding Aversion), feels like an urgent need to break away from the breast.
But if your baby is settled safely beside you in a steady, reassuring space, you can more easily shift positions, distract yourself by listening to music or checking your phone, offer a break—or, if your baby agrees, finish the feeding with a bottle, gently and smoothly.
5. Subtle postpartum support
The nursing pillow isn’t just for babies. After delivery, when your belly is still sore, you might hesitate to touch it, worry about stray kicks, or take extra care sitting down—the pillow becomes a valuable ally.
6. Keep using it long after nursing
For reading, cuddles, naps, or gentle yoga exercises… a nursing pillow remains useful well beyond the first months. The whole family may claim it for quiet time or togetherness.
And for baby, it can sometimes become a true sensory anchor. Even away from your arms, it retains your scent and shape, making it especially soothing during small daily transitions—like moving from your arms to bed, or from home to daycare. Functional, comforting, portable… a little daily essential.
💡 Handy tip: Slip a swaddle or burp cloth between baby and the pillow in case of spit-up. You’ll save yourself a wash every time!
How to choose the nursing pillow you’ll never want to put away?
Length, firmness, material—every detail counts when it comes to finding the right companion for those first bottles and first weeks (at least) with your baby.
A quality nursing pillow should provide enough support without being too rigid. In other words, it should mold gently to your baby’s body and keep them in a stable, comfortable position.
As for filling, choose quality, certified materials—safe and free from questionable chemicals—such as BPA-free microbeads, recycled polyester, or organic cotton. The double goal: respect your baby’s skin and offer you a soft, secure, soothing allure.
Finally, the right nursing pillow is also the one you don’t want to put away once your child is feeding independently. Washable, removable cover, durable… since it becomes part of your everyday (often living-room!) routine, it should be as beautiful as it is useful.
✨ That’s the story behind the Élhée x That’s Mine collaboration.
Together, we’ve designed a nursing pillow that’s as elegant as it is sensory, combining minimalist design, responsible materials, and calming tones. Created to support parents through life’s sweetest moments, it’s also—as with the iconic BibRonds and That’s Mine’s signature bunny—a true décor piece: an object of connection, comfort, and shared living, carrying our values of care, gentleness, and safety—without sacrificing style.
The nursing pillow—a timeless classic
Neither a gadget nor a whim, the nursing pillow is truly an essential partner for moms and babies. It relieves body strain, eases feeding, and supports you every step of the way. Small in size, big in comfort: it’s much more than an accessory—it’s an anchor, a cocoon, and sometimes, a deeply cherished item.
call-to-action-biberons
