Amen, Virginia.  Oftentimes the pillow dictates the position of mom and baby
- usually this is suboptimal.  Also, it’s not really practical to lug a
pillow along wherever they go.  One more obstacle to making breastfeeding is
public seem so problematic.  I wonder, did cave women place a rock on their
laps to facilitate breastfeeding?

Jean Ridler  RN  RM  IBCLC
Cape Town, South Africa
 
> While a breastfeeding pillow can be useful in a few specific situations
(premmie
> baby, tiny baby, twins, mother with an arm deformity), over many years I
have
> found it is mostly unnecssary. It can also be an impediment to latch,
after the
> mother has spent money or been given one. This is especially true for
mothers
> with lower breasts, with or without a large baby. Leaning back on pillows
or in a
> recliner chair can open up her lap and allow the baby to come nicely on
from
> under, with a good latch. Using a pillow instead places the baby higher
than the
> nipple/areola complex - and then it's silly to try to lift up the breast
to reach the
> baby's mouth, and keep the heavy breast supported all through the feed.
In this
> situation, getting rid of trhe pillow and trying a more laid back position
will work
> without the hassle.

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