How To Make Baby Pillow. Best 3-Step Guide

You can learn how to make baby pillow easily using three steps. While we can use some versatile pregnancy pillows as baby pillows, it would be best for our little ones to have their own. The best part is you can customize the baby pillow, and the process itself is even straightforward. 

What is a baby pillow? Remember that contrary to the name, your baby needs to sleep on a flat surface for a long time before he will require a pillow for sleep. Therefore, a baby pillow pertains to a nursing pillow that is usually U-shaped.

 

How Do You Make A Baby Pillow?

 

Step #1. Designing

The first step is designing the baby pillow itself. Remember that there are different types of baby pillows, and you can only introduce one when they are 18 months old. Therefore, you can make a nursing pillow that is U-shaped instead. 

After you have a pattern, you can use it to cut out the baby pillow’s fabric. Cut two U-shaped pieces of cotton fabric and follow the measurements accordingly. It’s typical for these pillows not to need a seam allowance when cutting the pattern but adjust accordingly. 

 

Step #2. Sewing

The second step is sewing these two fabric pieces together. Start by pinning their right sides facing in to make sewing more comfortable. Check if the edges are well-aligned once more, and then start sewing at the top edge and then around, but remember to leave a space for turning later. 

A gap of around 5 inches should suffice and allow half an inch of seam allowance. Finally, strengthen your stitches by backstitching to ensure that the pillow will handle stuffing. It’s also essential to cut the notches close to the curved edges’ stitching around an inch apart. 

 

Step #3. Stuffing

The final step in making a baby pillow is stuffing it. Use the gap you left previously and turn the pillow inside out. You must press the seams with iron and push the arms back wholly to end up with a snug baby pillow and leave no gaps. Begin stuffing the pillow until it’s firm since you want it to provide good support. 

A typical filling for baby pillows, especially nursing pillows, is polyester fiberfill because it is easy to find, affordable, and washable. Once you’re satisfied with the pillow’s form, pin the opening and sew it securely. Remember that you want to leave no gaps for the nursing pillow where the stuffing can spill during use. 

 

How To Use A Baby Pillow

 

Nursing and feeding

Baby pillows are mainly nursing pillows to support your baby safely and make breastfeeding comfortable. To use the pillow that you just made earlier, place it along the side or part of your body where your baby will be. Position your baby so that his belly is facing your body and his feet are under your arm. 

Gently place your baby in the pillow so that he is positioned on his side. You want your baby’s tummy facing you to avoid issues with swallowing or gastric reflux. You can also use this pillow when bottle-feeding. 

Place the pillow on your lap or side and lie with the arm you’ll use to support your little one’s head on the pillow. Check if your baby is lying with a slight incline and his head is slightly tilted upward to avoid discomfort and issues. Experts also recommend that caretakers find a position with good back support and the baby at breast level with his neck straight when breastfeeding. 

 

Tummy time

Like the Boppy pillow, the baby pillow you just made will also be useful for tummy time. What is tummy time? It’s an exercise that you can introduce to your little one to help him learn various movements and strengthen neck muscles. 

Each day, you’ll place your baby on his tummy as he experiments crawling, rolling over, or even pushing. You can use the U-shaped baby pillow to prop your baby up and keep him from feeling uncomfortable on his tummy. However, note that you can only encourage this exercise after four months of age. 

 

Sleeping

While babies younger than 18 months can’t use a pillow yet while sleeping, you can use a baby pillow for sleeping yourself. The U shape of a baby pillow can help you maintain a good posture while sleeping. You can place it behind your back to avoid body pain or even raise your head and to improve breathing and avoid heartburn. 

 

Conclusion

Did you know that you can make nursing more comfortable and safer for you and your baby by using a pillow? You can even learn how to make baby pillow in three easy steps. Start by cutting a U-shaped pattern into two pieces of cotton fabric. 

Sew the pillow together, but leave a gap for turning and stuffing. Once you’re finished sewing, turn the pillow and stuff it with polyfill until it’s firm. Lastly, stitch the opening close, and your baby pillow is done. 

It’s important to emphasize that the baby pillow in this guide is a nursing pillow. Babies can’t sleep with pillows yet, so this pillow is meant to support and keep them safe while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. You can also use it for tummy time or sleep on the pillow yourself to avoid back pain and sleep more comfortably.