Practical ways to support comfortable breastfeeding, bottle feeding and postpartum recovery.
Your pregnancy pillow doesn't need to be packed away once your baby arrives. Here's how I recommend using it to support comfortable, sustainable feeding.
If you've used a Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow throughout your pregnancy, chances are it's become one of your most loved essentials. It certainly was for me.
What many mothers don't realise is just how useful a pregnancy pillow can be once their baby arrives.
As an IBCLC lactation consultant, I spend a lot of time helping mothers find comfortable, sustainable feeding positions. Good positioning can make an enormous difference to how breastfeeding feels, particularly during those early weeks when you're spending so much time feeding your baby.
And often, the best support is something you already have at home.
Do You Really Need a Breastfeeding Pillow?
One of the questions I'm frequently asked is which breastfeeding pillow I recommend.
My answer? You may not need to buy one at all.
I find that many traditional crescent-shaped breastfeeding pillows can be restrictive, particularly when trying to achieve a more relaxed, physiological breastfeeding position. They tend to encourage upright feeding and don't always accommodate the differences in a mother's body, breast shape or baby's size.
When working with families, I prefer to use the furniture and supportive props they already find comfortable, whether that's their bed, couch or favourite feeding chair.
What I particularly like about the Sleepybelly pillow is its versatility. It consists of a long pillow and two smaller wedge-shaped pillows, allowing you to customise your support rather than trying to fit yourself and your baby around one fixed pillow.
Here are some of my favourite ways to use it.
1. Reclined Breastfeeding
Reclined breastfeeding, sometimes called laid-back breastfeeding or biological nurturing, is one of my favourite positions to teach.
Rather than sitting upright and bringing your baby towards the breast, you recline comfortably and allow your baby's body to rest against yours.
This position encourages your baby's innate feeding reflexes and can make attachment feel more instinctive, with less need to physically manipulate the breast or baby's head.
It also provides wonderful support for your own body.
When you're reclined, your baby's weight is distributed across your torso rather than being held entirely by your arms. This can reduce tension through your shoulders, neck, wrists and upper back, areas that often become uncomfortable during frequent feeding.
How I use the Sleepybelly:
Position the long pillow behind your back to create a comfortable reclined position.
Use the smaller wedges beneath your elbows or forearms to reduce muscle fatigue.
Adjust the support until your shoulders feel relaxed and your baby can remain comfortably against your body.
Your baby should be positioned tummy-to-tummy against you, with their face visible, nose and mouth unobstructed, and their body securely supported.
I particularly love this position for mothers experiencing nipple pain, difficulty achieving a deep latch or tension during feeds.
The goal is to support your body so your baby can feed effectively without you having to work so hard.
2. Side-Lying Breastfeeding
Side-lying is another position I frequently recommend, particularly in the early postpartum period.
There is so much value in horizontal rest after birth. Whether you're recovering from a vaginal birth or caesarean, finding ways to rest while feeding can make those early weeks feel considerably more manageable.
Side-lying can also be useful for overnight feeds or whenever sitting upright feels physically demanding.
How I use the Sleepybelly:
Position the long pillow behind your own back or between your knees to support your hips and pelvis.
The smaller wedges can provide additional support behind your back or between your legs if needed.
Your baby lies on their side facing you, close enough to attach comfortably to the breast, with their head, neck and body aligned.
An important note: Keep pillows, wedges and other soft bedding away from your baby's face and body. Never use the pillow to prop your baby in place or support their head during feeding. Remain awake and attentive, and return your baby to their own firm, flat, clear sleep space when the feed is finished.
3. Underarm or Football Hold
The underarm position, also known as the football or rugby hold, can be particularly useful for mothers with fuller breasts, those recovering from a caesarean birth, and families feeding twins.
It can also offer a different angle of attachment when you're working through latch difficulties.
Of the three positions I've covered, this one often requires the most external support.
How I use the Sleepybelly:
Place the long pillow alongside your body to support your forearm and baby's weight.
Use a smaller wedge underneath your supporting arm or the long pillow to adjust its height.
Position your baby alongside your torso, with their feet pointing behind you and their face close to your breast.
Aim to bring your baby to the breast rather than leaning your body towards them.
Your baby's head and neck should remain supported by your hand or forearm, without pressure against the back of their head.
A good underarm position should feel stable and comfortable, without leaving you hunched over or holding your baby's weight through your wrists.
4. Using Your Sleepybelly for Paced Bottle Feeding
Your pregnancy pillow can also be useful when bottle feeding.
Whether you're exclusively bottle feeding, expressing breastmilk or combining breastfeeding with bottles, I encourage families to use responsive, paced bottle feeding techniques.
Paced bottle feeding gives your baby opportunities to regulate their intake, pause during feeds and communicate when they've had enough.
It can also make bottle feeding a more responsive experience, particularly for babies who are moving between breast and bottle.
How I recommend paced bottle feeding:
Hold your baby in a comfortable, supported, semi-upright position, with their head and neck aligned.
Gently touch the bottle teat to your baby's lips and allow them to open their mouth and accept it.
Keep the bottle relatively horizontal, with enough milk in the teat to allow comfortable drinking.
Watch your baby's sucking, swallowing and breathing patterns.
Allow natural pauses. If your baby needs a break, lower the bottle or remove the teat gently.
Continue responding to your baby's cues, and stop when they indicate they're finished.
Avoid encouraging your baby to finish a predetermined volume when they're showing signs of fullness.
Where the Sleepybelly comes in:
Use the long pillow to support your own back and the smaller wedges beneath your elbows or forearms.
This can be particularly helpful during longer bottle feeds, when holding your baby in a supported position becomes tiring.
Always hold your baby and the bottle yourself. Never prop a bottle or leave your baby feeding unattended.
5. Supporting Your Baby After Feeding
Many parents find that holding their baby upright for a short period after feeding can be helpful, particularly if their baby experiences frequent spilling or discomfort.
Your Sleepybelly can make this time more comfortable for you.
Try sitting in a supported position with the long pillow behind your back and your baby resting upright against your chest or in your arms.
This is also a lovely opportunity for connection, conversation and skin-to-skin contact.
Avoid using the pillow to prop your baby into an unsupported seated position, particularly before they have developed the strength and control to sit independently.
And remember, not every baby needs to be held upright after every feed. Let your baby's comfort and individual needs guide you.
6. Tummy Time and Early Development
Tummy time is an important part of your baby's early physical development.
It gives your baby opportunities to strengthen their neck, shoulders and upper body, while gradually developing the control needed for rolling, reaching and other movement milestones.
I encourage parents to begin with short, comfortable periods of supervised tummy time from birth.
This might be on your chest, across your lap or on a firm play mat.
Rather than placing your baby on the soft Sleepybelly pillow, I recommend keeping it nearby to support your own body while you sit or lie beside your baby.
You can also use it to make yourself comfortable during floor play, allowing you to stay close, interact and encourage your baby as they explore.
If your baby becomes unsettled, simply take a break, offer a cuddle and try again later.
Tummy time doesn't need to be long or complicated. Frequent, enjoyable opportunities for movement are what matter.
Making Feeding More Comfortable and Sustainable
One of the things I remind mothers is that feeding shouldn't require you to sacrifice your own physical comfort.
Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a combination of both, good positioning matters.
Supporting your body can reduce unnecessary tension and make those many hours spent feeding feel more manageable.
And before investing in another piece of baby equipment, I always encourage families to consider what they already have.
Your Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow may be one of those products that continues to serve you well beyond pregnancy.
Need support with breastfeeding or bottle feeding?
I'm Joelleen, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Endorsed Midwife and Naturopath. I support families with breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding and infant feeding challenges through my Melbourne clinic and online consultations.
If feeding is painful, difficult or simply not going as you'd hoped, individualised support can make an enormous difference.
Book a breastfeeding consultation
Joelleen IBCLC
IBCLC Lactation Consultant | Endorsed Midwife | Naturopath
Melbourne, Australia
Instagram: @joelleen.ibclc
Safety note: Pregnancy pillows are designed for adult support and are not infant sleep products. Keep pillows and other soft items away from your baby's face and sleep space. All feeding and play activities described should be supervised.
Affiliate disclosure: This article discusses Sleepybelly products. If an affiliate link is included, I may receive a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations reflect my professional experience and clinical judgement.
