It was simpler than you think to make a fantastic feeding pillow.

I had a store bought pillow for my first two babies, and while it was adequate, it was too flat and kept riding away from me as I fed.  This allowed baby to slip down between the pillow and me.  Far from ideal.

What I wanted was a pillow that could be fastened to me and a pillow that was high enough so I did not have to prop it with cushions and other pillows.

So began my online search.  And I came across a fantastic feeding pillow here.  ‘Thrupenny Bits’ cockney rhyme for t**ts!) sell beautiful, trendy but practical feeding pillows that are also very portable and reasonably priced. (prices start at £33) I was instantly taken with them.  However, and apologies to  ‘Thrupenny Bits’, I had some left over Harlequin ‘Alina” furnishing fabric that would make a beautiful pillow and as I can sew a little I decided to try to make a feeding pillow myself.  But if your not the sewing sort head over to ‘Thrupenny bits’ to purchase one.

I drew a template, half moon in shape with elongated ends that would become the ties, 65 cms across and 32 cms down.

I cut out 4 pieces on the material that was just over a meter long and 138cm wide.  Two tops in the 100% soft cotton Harlequin furnishing fabric and two bottoms in a complimentary soft corduroy furnishing fabric.  I decided on these fabrics as they are hardwearing and practical (I wash and tumble dry them both on low settings with no problems even though they state dry clean only).  This made 2 covers; one for the pillow and one for the wash.  I would have preferred another say 50cm length as I had to use the selvedge with the fabric branding on it.  But now I think that looks kind of cool anyway…..

I also cut 2 identical pieces from some tough wearing plain calico I had lying around.  This was for the inner pillow.

I then sewed the pieces together for the pillow and the two covers, fitting a long zip to the inner curve of each.

I filled the pillow with bean bag beads.  This was a messy job as the balls are so light!  But once done I was very pleased.  I was also glad I had put in a long zip into the covers as it made inserting the filled inner pillow easy and simple.

The bag was a little full when I tried it so I simply sat a few times on the pillow to flatten it a little!

*After using for about 3 months the pillows need topping up as the beads do compress.  I found this to be a nightmare  – messy and difficult because of the extremely light and flyaway nature of the beads.  (My Mum who helped can attest to this!)  So I recommend, as thrupenny bits does, filling with hollow fibre instead.

So I am really pleased with the finished product.  And as it ties to me I can stand and move with her still feeding.  Although I stress, and double stress, I never move around without holding on to baby and the pillow.  Otherwise baby would slide right off!  But so practical.

And if you don’t feel like making one yourself – hop along to ‘Thrupenny bits’ to purchase one.  They would also make a great gift.

Mamasimx         About Me

Don’t forget to enjoy your day.

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© 2013 Simone L Woods