Best Nursing Pillows of 2024
Breastfeeding pillows make nursing easier for your baby—and for you.
By Jen LaBracio | Medically Reviewed by LC De Shay-Evans
Breastfeeding can look easy, but it’s often anything but, especially if you’re a new parent nursing for the first time. Any product that can help is always worth considering.
Nursing pillows are designed for your baby—and you. They help get your baby in a better position to latch and help you stay comfortable during nursing sessions. Many Babylist parents say a breastfeeding pillow is one of their most-used baby products. We tested some of the most popular picks to find the best nursing pillows according to parents and our gear expert.
Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Nursing Pillows
- Most Versatile: Boppy x Babylist Nursing Pillow Original Support
- Most Supportive: My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow
- Most Stylish: DockATot La Maman Wedge Nursing Pillow
- For Plus-Size Parents: Momcozy Adjustable Nursing Pillow
- Best for Twins: My Brest Friend Twin Nursing Pillow
In This Article
Babylist’s Picks for the Best Nursing Pillows
Most Versatile Nursing Pillow
What Our Experts Say
First introduced over 30 years ago, Boppy is the OG of nursing pillows and one of the feeding pillows I used consistently while breastfeeding my son. It’s beloved for making nursing and bottle-feeding easier, of course, but also for a few other standout reasons. The pillow’s light weight and easy-on, easy-off design are clutch, especially when you’re feeding your baby what feels like a million times each day. (The shape and design support any type of feeding hold like cradle, cross cradle, football hold and even bottle feeding.) There’s a removable slipcover for easy cleaning, but the whole pillow is machine-washable for really big messes. And the Boppy is really versatile. I often used it to cradle my baby when he was an infant and as a tummy time prop (awake and supervised only) and as a cushion as he learned to sit up. This print is exclusive to Babylist.
What’s Worth Considering
The Boppy is on the softer side, which some parents don’t like, especially during the first few months of nursing when babies need the most support. I was one of those parents, finding it too unsupportive for those beginning months of nursing when both of us were still getting the hang of things. I also didn’t love the lack of back support and the gap that kept forming between my baby and the front of my body. I had success using a firmer feeding pillow, My Brest Friend, for the first few months of nursing, then switched over to the Boppy for the rest of my time breastfeeding.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I knew I wanted a Boppy pillow because I knew I’d be breastfeeding my baby exclusively, and as a postpartum nurse, I saw a lot of patients that needed an abundance of pillows for support. It worked for me really well! I ended up nursing my daughter 26 months and she would not nurse without it.” -Tfm015
Most Supportive Nursing Pillow
What Our Experts Say
This pillow isn’t a multitasker, but according to many nursing parents—myself included—it’s the best feeding pillow to use for breastfeeding. Designed solely to support nursing parents and babies, My Brest Friend is an extremely supportive pillow with a 360-degree design that wraps completely around your whole body. The firm, flat surface with built-in contouring supports your baby in just the right ways for nursing. Because the inner side of the pillow is completely flat, it lays flush against your body, eliminating any gaps between you and your baby and making it easy to stabilize your little one and get a good latch. The wraparound design provides back support and the back strap attaches the pillow to itself to prevent it from moving out of place. There’s also a built-in pocket to hold a water bottle, nipple cream, your phone or whatever else you need while nursing.
What’s Worth Considering
I used My Brest Friend for the first six months or so while nursing my son and found it invaluable. There are a few downsides, including the size (it’s a bit larger and bulkier than the Boppy) and the lack of versatility since it really can only be used as a nursing pillow. And while the slipcover is washable, the pillow itself is not.
What Babylist Parents Say
“This was a game changer for me. I was struggling to get my position right and other pillows were either too bulky or too flat. You can make nearly any chair work for nursing with this pillow. I love how it stays put with the Velcro and buckle. The pocket is a great feature too! I store extra bibs or clothes here, but I should add some snacks too!” -Brittany A.
Most Stylish Nursing Pillow
What Our Experts Say
It’s no surprise that this breastfeeding pillow from DockATot accomplishes what the brand does best—combines function with style. “It adds a gorgeous, moon-shaped glamorous touch to the living room,” says Yael, a Babylist user, but it’s also comfortable and “a great size and shape for breastfeeding.” The ergonomic shape curves around your body for feeding support and the plush velvet cover is soft and comfy. And many nursing parents appreciate the pillow’s size; it’s not as cumbersome as some other nursing pillows on the market, making it especially ideal for C-section parents.
What’s Worth Considering
There’s one huge downside to this feeding pillow: it’s spot-clean only. If that’s something you can overlook, then it won’t be an issue for you, but it’s a definite need to know before adding to your registry or purchasing it.
What Babylist Parents Say
“This is the best nursing pillow I’ve used, and I’ve tried many with two babies. Many pillows are uncomfortable after a C-section delivery but not this one- it has a gentle curve that can be adjusted as needed around your midsection, with no annoying straps or overstuffed edges. As baby and I both changed sizes after birthing, this pillow accommodated all changes well! The fabric is soft, luminous and lovely and is so soft for baby’s skin. The fabric patterns are beautiful and I bought multiple after falling in love with this pillow- the bronzed cheetah matches any room, and the strawberry thief is just gorgeous.” -BTHoven
Best Nursing Pillow for Plus-Size Parents
What Our Experts Say
With a wider design than many other breastfeeding pillows on the market, this cotton nursing pillow from Momcozy is ideal for plus-size parents—but works just as well for all different body types, too. The unique design includes something the brand calls a “security fence,” which prevents babies from rolling off or sliding out of position while feeding. Parents rave about it. They also love the back support and built-in strap, how the pillow positions baby at just the right height for nursing while preventing hunching over and that the zip-off cover is machine washable. Another cool feature is that you can adjust the height of the pillow by removing some of the stuffing if needed.
What’s Worth Considering
Some (but not all) parents found that this feeding pillow worked best during the first few months of baby’s life; after that, they found it to be a bit too large and cumbersome. Others mentioned that it didn’t fluff up enough even after following the directions.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I purchased this nursing pillow after using it at a lactation center with my first daughter. When I got pregnant with my 2nd LO I knew I needed this pillow for my breastfeeding journey. The back support is amazing, the pillow is firm and keeps your LO’s head high enough to reach, feels very secure when wearing with the belted clip and the fabric pouch is perfect for nipple cream.” -Lauren
Best Nursing Pillow for Twins
What Our Experts Say
This nursing pillow has all the benefits of the regular My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow but is specifically designed for tandem feeding twins. It’s roomy on both sides so it has space for each baby, and the flat cushion keeps them from rolling around. Parents of multiples also appreciate the firm back support and being able to throw the plush cover in the washing machine.
What’s Worth Considering
Similar to the standard My Brest Friend, you’ll only be able to use this pillow for feeding, not for tummy time or other types of propping.
What Babylist Parents Say
“It is so convenient for tandem feeding! I love it and would not be able to feed my twin girls at the same time without it. Must have for tandem feeding.” Kambri
How We Chose the Best Nursing Pillows.
- We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
- We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many nursing pillows.
- We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.
What Is a Nursing Pillow?
A nursing pillow is a pillow designed to support your baby while they breastfeed, propping them up to help position them properly at the breast. Also called feeding pillows or breastfeeding pillows, nursing pillows sit on your lap and wrap around your body to provide a stable, comfortable surface for your baby. They also reduce neck, arm and back strain for you, which can help make nursing easier and more enjoyable for both you and your baby.
Do I Need a Nursing Pillow?
For most people, there’s a learning curve when it comes to breastfeeding. Issues around comfort (both for baby and the nursing parent) and finding the proper nursing position are common, and both can impact a baby’s latch and how well they feed at the breast.
A nursing pillow can help. While a nursing pillow isn’t a requirement—you can use a regular pillow if you’d like—many parents find that the special design of a feeding pillow can help them nurse more effectively and more comfortably, especially during the first few months.
How else can I use a nursing pillow?
If you don’t plan to breastfeed, a nursing pillow can be used to support your baby during bottle feeding, too. It can also be used as a prop during awake, supervised tummy time and to cradle babies who can’t yet sit up well on their own.
Nursing Pillow Safety
Nursing pillows can be hugely valuable to breastfeeding parents, but remember that you should never let your baby sleep in one or leave your baby unattended while using one.
“The problem with many breastfeeding support pillows is that they may look like they would be a comfortable place for babies to sleep, and so many parents use them to prop babies up, even when they are not being breastfed. And babies fall asleep that way. However, just like any other pillow, a breastfeeding support pillow is not safe for babies to sleep on,” explained Rachel Y. Moon, M.D., FAAP, a lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on safe sleep in an August 2023 statement. “If the baby’s head is propped on it, then the airway can become kinked and the baby can asphyxiate. If the baby’s face is against the pillow, the baby can suffocate,” she said.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently considering new regulations around nursing pillows.
Benefits of a Nursing Pillow
Nursing pillows can benefit both a baby and a nursing parent. The benefits of a feeding pillow include:
- Helping baby achieve a good latch by propping them up and providing full-body support.
- Reducing discomforts like neck strain or back pain for nursing parents by helping them maintain good posture.
- Supporting babies during other times such as during bottle feeding, supervised tummy time or learning to sit up.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Pillow
If you’re considering adding a nursing pillow to your baby registry or purchasing one yourself, here are the features you’ll want to review. Some come down to personal preference, while others depend on factors like how long you plan to nurse and how comfortable you are with nursing, your body size and shape and how versatile you want your feeding pillow to be.
- Size and shape. Some nursing pillows are C- or U-shaped with rounded edges while others feature a 360-degree design with a flat top and more angled edges. C-shaped pillows wrap around your front and sides, while 360-degree pillows go around your whole body and provide back support as well. The type of pillow you choose can depend on factors like what you find more comfortable and your body size. Flatter pillows also help eliminate any gaps between your body and your baby during nursing.
- Support level. Nursing pillows have varied firmness levels, from quite soft to very firm. Firmer pillows provide more support and many parents (both first-time and seasoned nurses alike) prefer them during the first few months of breastfeeding while both parent and baby are getting the hang of things.
- Versatility. Hoping to use your nursing pillow for more than just feeding? Some nursing pillows can also be used for supervised tummy time or to help your little one as they learn to sit up, but not all can—it depends on the pillow’s shape and design.
- Washability. Between spit-up, breast milk or formula and other bodily fluids, nursing pillows can get dirty quickly. Pay attention to the cleaning instructions on the nursing pillow you choose. While many feature removable, machine-washable covers, some are spot-clean only.
- Extra features. Some parents want extra features like a built-in pocket or other storage options, or the option to switch out the pillow’s cover for a softer fabric or a different design.
Jen LaBracio
Senior Gear Editor
Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.
