How do I find the right nursing pillow?
Support for your baby, relief for your arms, relaxed sleep during pregnancy: a nursing pillow is a versatile helper. The choice is huge. We'll help you find the right one.
How can I use my nursing pillow?
During pregnancy
It already offers many benefits at this stage. From around the sixth month, you'll prefer lying on your side. A large nursing pillow lets you sleep comfortably as your belly grows. It supports your belly gently and relieves your back and hips: simply clamp the lower end of the pillow between your legs. You can use the upper end as a headrest.
To read on the sofa, you can fold the pillow into a U-shape and use it as a backrest. It also works great for elevating your legs.
While breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a beautiful but often tiring experience. A nursing pillow helps you and your little one relax. It keeps your baby at the right height so they don't have to twist their head while feeding and stay comfortable. At the same time, the pillow relieves your arms and shoulders.
Other ways to use it
Even after breastfeeding, a nursing pillow is useful, e.g. to position your baby safely. Depending on the shape, later—once your child can sit independently—it can be used for sitting practice. It also works well for cosy cuddle time.
What length should my nursing pillow be?
If you're breastfeeding for the first time, we generally recommend long nursing pillows from 160 cm upwards. They support your baby ideally while feeding. Otherwise: choose the length for your personal needs. Large pillows are flexible to use, but also bulkier. Small, short pillows are great on the go—though with these you can often only breastfeed sitting up.
Measuring length: Place a tape measure at the centre of one end of the pillow. Follow the outer seam to the centre of the other end.
Measuring width: Run the tape across the middle of the pillow from the inner seam to the outer seam.
What shape should my nursing pillow be?
Choose the shape for your personal needs. Some nursing pillows suit beginners better than others. If you're often on the go and want to take the pillow with you, factor that into your choice.
What should my nursing pillow be filled with?
The filling is an important criterion. It determines how soft the pillow is, whether it makes noise when you move, how light or heavy it is, whether it's suitable for allergy sufferers, and how easy it is to care for.
EPS beads
EPS beads mould ideally to the body. Pillows with this filling are therefore soft and light. The beads are odour-neutral and, thanks to good air circulation, fine for allergy sufferers. The pillows are fully washable and often dryer-safe. This filling supports a comfortable posture while breastfeeding and is especially suitable for beginners. EPS beads are used as micro-beads and standard beads, among others.
EPS micro-beads (ø 0.5–1.5 mm)
very quiet, fine as sand, moulds perfectly, for daily use, very durable, somewhat more expensive to buy.
EPS standard beads (ø 1.5–2.5 mm)
less quiet (rustles when moving), coarser grain, good mouldability, for occasional use, not as durable as micro-beads, cheaper than micro-beads.
Polyester hollow fibres
Polyester hollow fibres are comparable to down or cotton wool. Pillows with this filling are very soft and light, completely silent, fully washable and easy to dry. Allergy sufferers can use this filling without issue. Compared with EPS beads they hold their shape more—the pillow moulds less to the body, but works very well as a positioning pillow.
Natural fillings
Natural fillings (e.g. spelt husks) absorb body heat and release it slowly. Pillows with natural fill such as spelt chaff are especially breathable and mould to the body. Care is more demanding, though—an insert with natural fillings is not washable and must be aired well to prevent mould. So these pillows are less suitable for allergy sufferers. Lifespan is limited, they are not completely quiet, and they are relatively heavy.
In the Babyartikel.de magazine you'll find an article comparing various nursing pillow fillings.
Which cover is best for a nursing pillow?
A nursing pillow sits very close to you and your baby. Your personal preference decides the cover material.
Cotton: Cotton is hygienic and washable at high temperatures. Cotton covers are soft, fluffy and breathable. Unfortunately the material is not wrinkle-free.
Plush: Plush is soft and cuddly. However it cannot be washed at high temperatures. On the plus side, it stays wrinkle-free.
Polyester: Polyester covers are stain-resistant and easy to clean. The material feels pleasant on the skin. However it doesn't absorb sweat, which can let bacteria form on the surface and cause an unpleasant odour.
Cotton blends: Some covers mix cotton and polyester. They are especially easy to care for because they dry faster and iron more easily than pure cotton covers.
What else should I look for in nursing pillows?
Removable cover
Your nursing pillow should have a removable cover so you can wash it when it's been spit up on or soaked with sweat. Buying a spare cover is also worthwhile. That way your nursing pillow is always ready—even when the original cover is in the wash.
Refillability
Especially practical are refillable or variably filled nursing pillows. You can adjust the fill amount to your needs—by removing or adding filling. A zip in the inner cover makes it possible.
A newly purchased pillow usually has a fill height of about 70%.
For breastfeeding, 50–70% is ideal.
For positioning your child, 60–80% is recommended.
As a bed bumper or baby nest: about 40–60% (we advise against using nursing pillows in a baby's sleep environment).
Tip for refilling with EPS beads
Is your pillow filled with EPS beads? Put it in the freezer for about 45–60 minutes first. That makes adding or removing beads easier. Otherwise static charge makes the beads bounce around wildly.
How do I care for my nursing pillow?
When washing the nursing pillow, keep the following in mind:
Is the cover removable? If so, cover and inner pillow may need different care.
Does the whole pillow need washing? Then follow care for the more delicate material. When in doubt, wash at a lower temperature.
Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. As a guide:
EPS micro-beads (ø 0.5–1.5 mm): washable up to 60 °C
EPS standard beads (ø 1.5–2.5 mm): washable up to 60 °C
Polyester hollow fibre: washable up to 60 °C
Natural fillings: please do not wash—air thoroughly instead.
Useful care tips
When washing, put one or two tennis balls in the drum so the pillows keep their shape.
Wash large pillows one at a time in the machine.
Close the zip fully so the filling cannot escape.
To dry, you can lay the pillow on a drying rack.
If you use a dryer: choose the gentle cycle.
Air and shake out your pillow briefly every day.
