Breastfeeding Pillow Needed at Hospital?

Hi Ladies--

This weekend I packed my hospital bag and the baby's too. One item I saw listed in one of my pregnancy books was a breastfeeding pillow.

Given that I'm having a c-section and will surely have discomfort/pain when putting weight on my abdomen/incision, should I still pack my Boppy or "My Breast Friend" pillow? Would I need it for the "football hold" feeding position? I hear that is a good position for mom's recovering from c-sections.

Any insight based on your experiences would be great!

Thanks,

--Paula

P.S. I'm attending a breastfeeding class tomorrow night, so I can ask this question there too.

I'd definitely bring it.  The hospital lactation consultant can then help you use it right, and you'll be using what you will have at home.  Its not an easy process, and take all the help you can get!  Good luck!
-Donna

I say take it too....I brought mine and as we tried to BF it was helpful.....

oh definitely bring a bf pillow.  I didn't have one with my first kid at the hospital and the stupid hospital pillows kept falling out underneath my elbows.  When we got home from the hospital, I had hubby go out and buy my meds and then to babies r us to buy a Boppy pillow immediately!!  I brought my Boppy pillow with my 2nd baby and it was so nice to have!  Especially when they are newborns and so tiny and hard to hold up to your breast by yourself!  Good luck with your c-section and breastfeeding!   It's so fun having a new baby and becoming a Mommy!

I had a c-section with my thrid child and I used it in the hosptial. For me sitting and laying were not bad, just standing at first.

Good Luck,
Emily

I agree with the other ladies.  Take it with you.  I didn't really use it at first for breastfeeding her, but it was awesome to have to help hold her in the rocking chair.
I'm so excited for you!

No clue...boppies didn't exist when my baby was a baby...I just wanted to say I'm so excited for you!  Your time is just around the corner.  I can't wait to 'meet' your little one!

I would say take it...take the one that you plan on using the most & has a washable cover (get rid of those hospital germs ASAP on return home).  Good luck.  I am sure your class will give you great guidance.

I would suggest you take it.  Breastfeeding class, etc. suggested just using the hospital bed pillows so I left the boppy at home.  I tried all the breastfeeding positions in the hospital with bed pillows and at home with the boppy, and both were fine as far as the c-section but it was much easier with the boppy (except lying down, in which case you don't use a pillow).  Good luck!

ACK! You are getting SOOOOO close! Take your boppy or Breast Friend (my suggestion is if you have both, take them both so you can try both out and see what is most comfortable). I didn't bring one, and when we started feeding I was SO uncomfortable and we where both getting frustrated, so I sent DH home to get both and bring them to me and after that we where able to find a comfortable position that worked well for us.

The other thing to remember is that nursing is all about position, if you feel uncomfortable your baby will feel it and things will get frustrating. If it does not feel right, unlatch and move positions. The rocking chairs in the hospital are often not very good for nursing in if you are trying the football hold. I found that after my section the best thing to do was to put the bed all the way up and then turn my torso kind of sideways, putting the middle of the boppy pillow directly under my breast so that there was more pillow wrapping around the back to prop baby up in that position.

Also, make sure one of the first things you do is to let them know that you want the lactation consultant to come see you, this way they will let them know and get you on the rotation schedual right away. Even if you think everything is going great, let the LC watch what you are doing, so they can tell you how to tweak your position and latch until it's all good. Also, have a list ready for home of local LC's and LLL leaders that you can call for advice and support, this way if there is even the hint of a problem you won't have to go searching for the information.

I can't wait to hear about the birth of your little man! If you have any questions or anything about breastfeeding or c-section related, you can email me!