Are nursing pillows safe?" Not many have been asking this before, as this breastfeeding aid seemed harmless. It was recently found out that over 100 deaths from 2010 and 2022 were linked to nursing pillows. As such, it has become a source of concern. However, please note that using nursing pillows is not inherently wrong. It still has amazing benefits if you know the best safety practices. Continue reading to learn about these.

What is a Nursing Pillow?

As the name implies, a nursing pillow is a pillow that makes breastfeeding a lot easier. This product gives support to both you and your baby. You wrap it around your waist, placing it above your lap. This gives you a place to lay your baby. With this, you can reduce strain on your arms, neck, and back. It also helps you maintain a good posture.

Why Do You Need a Nursing Pillow for Breastfeeding?

You don't necessarily need a nursing pillow for breastfeeding. However, it offers several practical benefits that are hard to ignore. For instance, a nursing pillow allows better positioning for your baby. It brings them up to your breast level, so you don't need to hunch over. Effectively, this helps you keep proper posture, which prevents back and shoulder pain.

But that's not all. A nursing pillow also protects the abdominal area from pressure, making it a great accessory for mothers recovering from a C-section.

For this reason, products like the Momcozy Nursing Pillows are popular among mothers. The Boppy nursing pillow and My Best Friend nursing pillow are also great alternatives.

Nursing Pillow Recommendations from CPSC

As mentioned above, using nursing pillows is not inherently bad. What's linked to infant deaths is letting babies sleep on the nursing pillow after the feeding session. This often happens, as babies naturally fall asleep after the feed. Moms also get tired, so they may fall asleep too. This can lead to suffocation.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released recommendations to help prevent this. Under the rules that took effect in April 2025, nursing pillows must be:

Straps-Free

Straps or an infant restraint system can cause entanglement. That can then result in suffocation, which leads to infant death. As such, manufacturers are now prohibited from adding straps that secure a baby in place to nursing pillows. Straps that moms can use to prevent the pillow from moving, meaning they are the ones wearing it, are allowed.

Firm

Nursing pillows must not be so soft that they can conform to an infant's face. When this happens, it can lead to suffocation. A certain level of firmness is now required.

Wide

The opening of the nursing pillow should not be based on the baby. If that is not followed, the baby's head can become stuck in the pillow's opening. That leads to danger. That said, nursing pillows are now required to feature wider openings.

Informative

Have you heard about these dangers before finding this blog post? Many people are unaware of these issues. That lack of knowledge leads to situations that could cause death in infants. As such, the CPSC now requires manufacturers to add warning labels. They should inform parents and caregivers about the dangers linked to using nursing pillows. Furthermore, they should tell the parents and caregivers not to let babies sleep on the nursing pillow.

At Momcozy, the safety of moms and babies is the priority. Following all these recommendations, the brand has obtained a CPSC certification. That said, you can rest assured that your babies are safe while using our nursing pillows.

How to Choose a Safe Nursing Pillow?

No responsible parent wants to see their babies hurt. Using an unsafe nursing pillow can even lead to something worse than being hurt — death. This makes it very important to choose a product that follows safety standards.

One great example is the MaxSupport Nursing Pillow from Momcozy. It is designed to make breastfeeding more comfortable and to keep babies away from harm. This nursing pillow is made of memory foam, which has balanced softness and firmness. It also features a wider cushion, which provides more space, and a safety fence that prevents the baby from rolling off. The materials are also free of any harmful chemicals. The next section will discuss these in more details.

How We Designed the Safe Nursing Pillow?

Here are the features that make the MaxSupport a better nursing pillow compared to other brands:

Designed for Baby's Safety

Momcozy prioritized safety when designing the new <>MaxSupport Nursing Pillow. As such, it meets the new CPSC nursing pillow regulations in 2025. To bring it up a notch, Momcozy also introduced additional safety features not found in other nursing pillows.

Premium Materials

Momcozy's nursing pillow is not like its competitors. It is made with memory foam that contours to your body to maximize comfort. The material is not too soft, though. It has enough firmness, so it will not cause suffocation.

The memory foam is also OEKO-TEX® and CertiPUR-US® certified. What this means is that no harmful chemicals were used to make it. As such, you can rest assured that it's safe for both you and your baby.

Exclusive Safety Fence

Unlike regular nursing pillows, Momcozy's MaxSupport Nursing Pillow has a "safety fence." This helps keep the baby in place and prevents slipping or rolling during feeding sessions. It helps avoid accidents that could lead to injuries. This is especially true for nighttime feedings. They can be tiring for mothers, and the dimmed lights make it harder to see. The safety fence provides additional support to keep your baby in place, safe from harm.

Moms benefit from this feature too. You would have to hold your baby for an extended period of time during long feedings. It can cause fatigue and arm pain. This safety fence can act like your arm and support your baby. It helps free up both of your hands, giving you moments to rest them.

All-Around Support for Moms

Nursing pillows are made to make moms more comfortable during nursing sessions. Even though the MaxSupport is updated to conform to the CPSC standards, Momcozy has not forgotten this. With intuitive thinking, the brand increased the safety features without making the nursing pillows clunky to use.

360° Ergonomic Support

The MaxSupport Nursing Pillow wraps around the mother. This helps you keep a relaxed nursing posture. Effectively, this also helps reduce back strain. But that's not all! This nursing pillow also comes with an arm pillow, which helps prevent shoulder pain. You can adjust the arm pillow to raise your baby's head to help them latch better.

Wider Cushion for Better Arm Positioning

Besides the arm pillow, the MaxSupport Nursing Pillow also features a wider cushion. It is 28% wider compared to the previous design. That gives you more space for your arms, which leads to less pressure. You will really feel its benefits during long feeding sessions. In these instances, narrower nursing pillows will only provide comfort during the first few minutes. It will become less and less comfortable as more time passes.

How to Use a Nursing Pillow Safely and Correctly?

First and foremost, you should use a nursing pillow exclusively for breastfeeding. Babies should not sleep on it after the feeding session. As for the steps for using one, check this guide:

Step 1: Prepare

Find a quiet space for breastfeeding to help avoid distractions. Then, wrap the nursing pillow around your body. It must be snug and tight. The nursing pillow must not move during breastfeeding sessions. Otherwise, it may cause accidents.

Step 2. Breastfeed

Put your baby on the nursing pillow based on the breastfeeding position you have chosen. The nursing pillow should raise your baby to breast level and enable a deeper latch.

Step 3. Transfer Your Baby

Remove your baby from the nursing pillow once they are done feeding. If they have fallen asleep, carefully transfer them to their crib.

Can a Nursing Pillow Help with Reflux?

Yes, a good nursing pillow can help with reflux. Combined with the koala hold, it can elevate your baby's torso. In this position, you are working with gravity to prevent the contents of your baby's tummy from going back up. While you can do that without a nursing pillow, one will bring your baby to your breasts. That means you don't have to hunch over, which promotes better posture.

Best Nursing Pillow Positions and Mistakes to Avoid

The best nursing pillow positions include the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and koala hold.

Cradle hold - In this position, the baby rests on the pillow with their tummy against yours. You use the crook of your arm to support their head and the other hand to guide them to your breast. This makes it easy for the baby to access your breast and latch deeper.
Cross-cradle hold - This position is similar to the cradle hold but uses the opposite arm to support your baby instead. To illustrate, your baby is feeding on the right breast, so you must use your left arm. It gives you more control over your baby's head and neck. It is one of the best positions for new moms.
Football hold - This is a great position if you had a C-section. Here, you will put your baby at your side, with their feet towards your back. You will use your hand to support their head and neck.
Koala hold - In this position, your baby sits upright while breastfeeding. It is helpful for babies with reflux or moms with fast milk flow.

Again, avoid letting your baby sleep on the nursing pillow after the sessions. Additionally, clean your nursing pillow to prevent bacteria buildup. Remember that milk may spill, and babies often spit up during feeding sessions.

Conclusion

Studies linked nursing pillows with a high number of infant deaths. It has led to parents asking, "Are nursing pillows safe?" The thing is, the nursing pillows themselves are not causing these deaths. Instead, it is the improper use of them. It is more likely to happen if you let your baby sleep on the nursing pillow after feeding.

Still, the CPSC has introduced new rules to make these products as safe as possible. To start, they should inform users about the associated dangers. Nursing pillows should also be strapless, firm, and wide. We recommend buying pillows like the Momcozy MaxSupport to keep your baby away from harm. It is CPSC approved and OEKO-TEX® and CertiPUR-US® certified.