We call it a nursing pillow... but it can do much more than that. All rounded (like others 😉) it accompanies pregnancy and invites itself to feedings throughout the day. Not exactly discreet, but so comfortable, it settles in to surround baby long after his first months. And, quickly, it becomes one of those objects that, as parents, you love with a tenderness that is all memory. One of those that makes life sweeter and anchors itself in time. So, let us present to you six (very) good reasons to adopt it, breastfeeding or not.
SUMMARY :
- 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 again?
What a nursing pillow (really) is
Sometimes confused with the pregnancy pillow, like it, the nursing pillow is a contact object. Sitting on a sofa or in bed, it is positioned around your belly to accommodate baby and place him at the right height , relieve your arms and relax your shoulders. During breastfeeding or with each bottle, it (re)creates the cocoon that changes everything: less tension in the body for more presence in the moment.
Unlike a traditional pillow, the nursing pillow is ergonomic and designed to follow your maternal curves, fit your daily postures and adapt to your feeding rituals. In a "U", "C" or half-moon shape , it can be wedged in place with just one hand.
Its filling, made of light, silent and very malleable microbeads , firm and stable memory foam , or natural fibers such as kapok, breathable and antibacterial, plays on the sensations and the hold.
Finally, always equipped with a soft and washable cover , it becomes familiar, like a blanket placed on the sofa.
The nursing pillow provides all the comfort you need to support your first moments of breastfeeding bonding with your baby . Like a reference point, transmitted from one arm to the other, from maternal tenderness to paternal attention.
4 positions to try to get settled in properly
Just as there are different positions for breastfeeding and bottle feeding , the nursing pillow also allows you to position yourself in different ways to feed your newborn.
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The Madonna
Sitting comfortably, often cross-legged or in an armchair, you place the cushion on your legs and the baby in the hollow of it, facing you.
👉 A natural pose , ideal when baby already has a good latch, for peaceful feedings during the day.
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The inverted Madonna
Support your baby with the arm opposite the breast. Their neck rests in your hand to better guide the latch. The cushion supports the forearm and helps keep their head properly aligned.
👉 Perfect for the beginning of breastfeeding , it makes learning to suck easier and reduces pain linked to poor positioning.
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The rugby ball (or "football ball")
Semi-reclining or sitting, you slide baby onto their side, their back resting on the nursing pillow, under your arm, like a ball.
👉 Very useful after a cesarean section (because the baby is not lying on the stomach), for twins or to relieve very tense breasts.
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Lying on the side
Your child is placed facing you, on the cushion which raises him to breast height.
👉 Ideal for nighttime or co-sleeping , this setup allows for close proximity and allows you to breastfeed while truly resting.
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As a bonus, the semi-seated position or “Biological nurturing”
Lying in a reclined position (on the sofa or in bed with cushions), the baby is placed on your chest and moves towards the breast on his own.
👉 An intuitive posture , ideal for newborns, skin-to-skin contact, or to restart lactation. Here, no support is needed: gravity and proximity do the work.
4 differences with the pregnancy pillow
Because it's also part of a pregnant woman's small equipment and because they look similar, the nursing pillow can be confused with its pregnancy counterpart. A good reason to play the game of spot the differences between the two.
| Features | Pregnancy pillow | Nursing pillow |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Relieve the pregnant woman's body (back, stomach, legs) | Provide good posture while feeding (breast or bottle) |
| Shape | Very long (often U-shaped or L-shaped), to fit the whole body | Shorter, often C or U shaped, to surround the waist |
| Firmness | Soft, to comfortably support you while you sleep | Firm enough to support baby well during meals |
| Positioning | Used mainly lying down or semi-lying down | Used sitting, around the waist or on the knees |
Thus, the pregnancy pillow accompanies your body, especially in the third trimester, when the nursing pillow comes into play at feeding time. More compact, portable and handy, it creates a bubble of calm, without tension or rush, to feed baby in complete serenity.
🩷 And if you're unsure, remember that the two aren't duplicates: they complement each other. One helps you carry, the other helps you release.
6 reasons to use a nursing pillow at home (and why not, take it everywhere)
Enveloping and adaptable, the nursing pillow is part of the parent-baby relationship : breastfeeding, bottles, digestion, awakening, rest... Here's why it deserves its place in your home, and why you may soon no longer be able to do without the nursing pillow.
1. Feed baby gently, either breast-fed or bottle-fed
The nursing pillow supports your arms, your back, your belly ... and also your attention. It keeps your baby well positioned, at the right height, for a smooth, relaxed, and emotionally serene feeding.
Exclusive breastfeeding, mixed or bottle feeding , using it promotes a relaxed posture, a natural visual link between you and your baby , as well as a real presence in the gesture.
And when someone else takes over, whether it's a co-parent, grandparent, or elder, the pillow provides reassuring comfort. Feeding your baby remains a shared moment, without compromising on quality.
2. Support him in his first moments of waking
Installed inside, under your supervision, baby is slightly raised , well wedged in his reassuring little nest, to observe, babble or simply rest.
3. Better digestion after breastfeeding
After feeding, some babies need to remain slightly inclined to prevent reflux . The nursing pillow allows them to maintain this posture without having to constantly stand or move.
4. In case of aversion to breastfeeding
Sometimes, without it being fully understood why, some breastfeeding mothers experience sudden discomfort, like a physical rejection, when breastfeeding. This phenomenon, called breastfeeding aversion , manifests itself as an urgent urge to stop breastfeeding.
However, if your baby is comfortably positioned against you, in a stable and reassuring space, you can more easily change position , distract him by listening to music or checking your phone, offer a break - or, if he accepts, gently finish the meal with a bottle .
5. Discreet postpartum support
But the nursing pillow is not only useful for baby. After giving birth, when the belly is still sensitive , you don't dare touch it too much, you fear little kicks and you take your time and infinite precautions to sit down, it becomes a precious support.
6. Extend its use well beyond breastfeeding
For reading , cuddling , napping or some gentle yoga exercises... the nursing pillow remains useful, well after the first few months. Adopted by the whole family for moments of calm or closeness.
And for baby, it sometimes becomes a sensory landmark in its own right . Even outside of parental arms, it retains the smell and shape of the body , which makes it particularly reassuring during small daily transitions - like going from arms to bed, or from home to nursery. Practical, affectionate, nomadic... an object that simply stays .
💡 Practical bonus: remember to slip a diaper between your baby and their pillow in case of spit-up. This precaution will save you from having to wash the cover every time!
How to choose the nursing pillow you'll never want to put away again?
Length, firmness, material: every detail counts when it comes to finding the right companion for your baby's first bottles and first few weeks (at least).
A quality nursing pillow should provide sufficient support without being too rigid . That is, it should conform to the shape of your baby's body and keep them in a stable and comfortable position.
When it comes to filling, we therefore favor quality and certified materials that are healthy and free from controversial substances, such as BPA-free microbeads , recycled polyester or even organic cotton . The objective is twofold: to respect baby's skin and to offer you a feeling of security and softness.
Finally, the right nursing pillow is also one that you don't want to put away once your child is able to feed themselves. Washable, removable, durable ...because it becomes part of your daily life (and often, in your living room), it must be as beautiful as it is useful.
✨ That's what the Élhée x That's Mine collaboration is all about.
Together, we have imagined a nursing pillow as elegant as it is sensory , combining minimalist design , responsible materials and soothing shades . Designed to accompany parents in the most tender moments of parenthood, it is also, like the iconic Bib Ronds and the signature rabbit of the That's Mine brand, a decorative piece in its own right, an object of connection , comfort and shared life , bearing our values: care, softness and security, without sacrificing aesthetics.
The nursing pillow, a classic that doesn't lie
Neither a gadget nor a whim, the nursing pillow is a true companion for mothers and babies, soothing the body, making feeding easier, and adapting to all life moments. Small object, great comfort, it is much more than an accessory: a landmark, a cocoon, sometimes even a loving object.
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