How do I find the right nursing pillow?
Support for your baby, relief for your arms, relaxed sleeping during pregnancy: a nursing pillow is a versatile helper. The selection is huge. We'll help you find the right one.
How can I use my nursing pillow?
During pregnancy
Even during this time it offers many benefits. From around the sixth month onward, you'll prefer to lie on your side. A large nursing pillow lets you sleep comfortably as your belly grows. It gently supports your belly and relieves your back and hips: simply clamp the lower end of the nursing pillow between your legs. You can use the upper end as a pillow for your head.
For reading on the sofa, the pillow can be folded into a U-shape and used as a backrest. It's also a great option for propping up your legs.
While nursing
Nursing is a beautiful but often exhausting experience. A nursing pillow helps you and your little treasure both relax. It helps make sure your baby is at the right height. This is important so your baby doesn't have to twist its head while feeding and can lie comfortably. At the same time, the nursing pillow relieves your arms and shoulders.
Other ways to use it
A nursing pillow can also be used after nursing, for example to safely position your baby. Depending on the shape, it can later be used for sitting exercises once your child can sit up on their own. It's also great for cozy cuddle time.
What length should my nursing pillow be?
If you're nursing for the first time, we generally recommend long nursing pillows of 160 cm or more. This gives your baby ideal support while nursing. Otherwise: choose the length based on your personal needs. Large nursing pillows can be used flexibly. However, they're also bulkier. Small, short nursing pillows are great for on the go. With these pillows, though, you can often only nurse your baby while sitting.
Measuring length: Place a tape measure at the center of one end of the nursing pillow. Then run it along the outer seam to the center of the other end.
Measuring width: Run the tape measure across the middle of the pillow from the inner seam to the outer seam.
What shape should my nursing pillow have?
Choose the shape based on your personal needs. Some nursing pillows are better suited for nursing beginners than others. If you're often on the go and want to take the pillow with you, you should factor this into your choice.
What should my nursing pillow be filled with?
The filling of the nursing pillow is an important criterion. It determines how soft the pillow is, whether it makes noise when you move, how light or heavy the pillow is, whether it's suitable for allergy sufferers, and how easy the pillow is to care for.
EPS beads
EPS beads adapt ideally to the body. Pillows with this filling are therefore soft and light. The beads are odorless and, thanks to good air circulation, can also be used without issue by allergy sufferers. The pillows are also fully washable and usually dryer-safe as well. This filling provides a comfortable, pleasant position while nursing and is especially suitable for nursing beginners. EPS beads are used, among others, as microbeads and standard beads.
EPS microbeads (ø 0.5–1.5 mm)
very quiet, fine like sand, adapts 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 adaptability, for occasional use, not as durable as microbeads, less expensive than microbeads.
Polyester hollow fiber
Polyester hollow fiber is 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 any problem. Compared to EPS beads, polyester hollow fiber holds its shape better – the pillow doesn't adapt to the body as much, but it works very well as a positioning pillow.
Natural fillings
Natural fillings (such as spelt husks) absorb body heat and release it slowly again. Pillows with a natural filling like spelt husks are especially breathable and adapt to the body. However, the care effort is fairly high – an inner cover with natural filling isn't washable and must be aired out well to prevent mold growth. This makes pillows with this filling less suitable for allergy sufferers. In addition, their lifespan is limited, and they're not entirely quiet and relatively heavy.
In the Babyartikel.de magazine you'll find an article that compares different nursing pillow fillings.
Which cover is best for a nursing pillow?
No question: a nursing pillow gets very close to you and your baby. This is where your personal taste determines the material of the cover.
Cotton: Cotton is hygienic and can be washed well at high temperatures. Cotton covers are soft, fluffy, and breathable. Unfortunately, the material isn't wrinkle-resistant.
Plush: Plush is soft and cuddly. However, the material can't be washed at high temperatures. In return, it stays wrinkle-free.
Polyester: Polyester covers are dirt-repellent and easy to clean. The material feels very pleasant on the skin. However, it doesn't absorb sweat, which can allow bacteria to form on the surface and cause an unpleasant odor.
Cotton blend: Some covers are made from a mix of cotton and polyester. These are extremely easy to care for, since they dry faster and are easier to iron than covers made from pure cotton.
What else should I look for in a nursing pillow?
Removable cover
Your nursing pillow should have a removable cover. This way you can wash it whenever it gets spit up on or sweaty. It's also worth buying a replacement cover. This way your nursing pillow is always ready to use – even while you're washing the original cover.
Refillability
Refillable, or variably fillable, nursing pillows are especially practical. Here you can vary the filling amount according to your individual needs – by either removing or adding filling material. A zipper in the inner cover makes this possible.
A newly purchased pillow typically has a fill level of 70%.
For nursing, a value between 50 and 70% is ideal.
For positioning your child, a value between 60 and 80% is recommended.
As a bed bumper or baby nest: approx. 40–60% (however, we recommend not using nursing pillows in babies' sleep environments).
Tip for refilling with EPS beads
Is your nursing pillow filled with EPS beads? Then put it in the freezer for about 45 to 60 minutes beforehand. This makes refilling or removing the filling easier. Otherwise, the beads will jump around wildly due to static charge.
How do I care for my nursing pillow?
When washing the nursing pillow, keep the following in mind:
Is the cover removable? If so, different care instructions may apply to the cover and the pillow's inner casing.
Does the pillow need to be washed as a whole? Then care should follow the instructions for whichever material is more delicate. When in doubt, always wash at a low temperature.
In general, the respective manufacturer's cleaning instructions always apply. As a guideline:
EPS microbeads (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 fiber: washable up to 60 °C
Natural fillings: please do not wash, only air out well.
Useful care tips
When washing, put one or two tennis balls in the washing machine drum. This helps the pillows keep their shape.
Please wash large pillows individually in the washing machine.
Please close the zipper properly so the filling can't escape.
To dry, you can lay the pillow on a drying rack.
If you want to use a dryer: please select the gentle/low-heat drying cycle.
Air out and shake your pillow briefly every day.
